An examination of contributive narrative: A look at the Lovecraft Circle and the expansion of the Cthulhu Mythos

Joseph A Lesny, Purdue University

Abstract

The expansion of a fictional world occurs when a previous narrative of fiction is perpetuated through future publication. The task of the author is to maintain believability with the reader by adhering to the same fictional standards left by the previous publication. If there is minimal departure from the original content then the reader will accept the new addition to the fictional world. If believability is broken then the reader can become so displeased that it might lead to consequences in the fictional world. The fans of Sherlock Holmes influenced Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to resurrect the world's greatest detective because his demise simply broke the persona of Sherlock Holmes, destroyed the fictional world, and thus displeased the reader. Traditionally, the expansion of a fictional world falls to its creator and original author. However, there are instances where a collaborative effort of multiple authors has expanded a fictional world by working in the same narrative, thus strengthening believability through a system of self-editing and recognition from other authors' publications. I will use the term "contributive" narrative to describe this process while analyzing the realm of professional publication and the personal creativity of fan fiction. H.P. Lovecraft and his circle of authors utilized contributive narrative to expand upon Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos. Through the non-formal editorial influences of H.P. Lovecraft, the circle created a type of game where each author's contribution receives verification through another author's publication. Lovecraft's non-formal editorial influence made sure that the core elements of his Cthulhu Mythos, concepts of cosmic horror, and the making of weird tales were maintained. This informal editorial regulation between colleagues draws a distinct comparison to the Algonquin Circle where the members regulated the quality of the content in circulation. While on the surface there is a parallel between the editorial process of the Algonquin Circle and Fanfic, in the form of criticism that crosses the line into savage insults, on a deeper level the two are quite different. While both rely on peer review to edit and control the group dynamic, within the Algonquin Circle is a concentrated group of individuals in the professional field of writing and publication devoted to an exclusive sense of satirical humor. The first filter of the Algonquin Circle was acknowledgement through publication. This exclusivity is in direct opposition to the open forum of Fanfic where anyone can submit unpublished work to be critiqued by any reader. The editorial criticism found in the Lovecraft Circle can be considered less vicious than in the Algonquin Circle. The Lovecraft Circle stands as a hybrid example of a controlled Fanfic that expands a fictional world using techniques from contributive narrative, publication, and acknowledgment. With the support of literary theories and research from accredited Lovecraft scholars, there is concrete evidence that the Lovecraft Circle can be classified as a true literary circle that stands apart from postmodern writing circles.

Degree

M.A.

Advisors

Barbour, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Literature|American literature

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