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The universe is far more expansive than humans can comprehend.
From the first lines of the story to its very end, Lovecraft emphasizes the idea that mankind only makes up a minuscule portion of the infinitely expansive universe. This perspective serves as the central tenant of many of Lovecraft’s works, allowing him to pioneer the sub-genre of “cosmic horror.” He plays on humans’ instinctual fear of their own insignificance and the unknown in order to evoke an emotional response from readers. In “The Call of Cthulhu,” Cthulhu itself functions as a symbol of the universe’s vastness. It is a creature so gigantic and monstrous that it defies all logic, resists categorization, and cannot be stopped. Lovecraft reinforces Cthulhu’s bizarre nature through its physical attributes, combining features like scales, tentacles, and wings to make something that looks undeniably otherworldly. The fact that the universe can contain something as surreal as a slumbering monster who influences humans through their dreams suggests that there is no limit to the mysteries it holds.
In addition to Cthulhu’s symbolic nature, Lovecraft’s creation of R’lyeh highlights the incomprehensibility of the world. Thurston may not travel there himself, but reading Johansen’s account of the “nightmare corpse-city” is enough to convince him of its impossible horrors. Not only is the city extremely large and covered in green ooze, it also features structures that are non-Euclidean. This strange geometry goes against man’s understanding of how the world is built, calling attention to the limitations of the human mind.
Knowledge can come at a great price.
As Thurston goes on his journey to solve the mysteries of the Cthulhu cult, he discovers that knowledge comes at a great price. He hears so many stories of men who, because of their affiliations with Cthulhu, suffer from traumatizing psychological episodes or lose their lives. Unfortunately, this lesson comes too late for Thurston and he follows the same dark path as Professor Angell did before him. He does not see the danger inherent in uncovering new knowledge until the harmful nature of his discoveries becomes clear. When Thurston first reads the story of Wilcox’s mysterious bas-relief and strange dreams, for example, nothing strikes him as particularly dangerous, so he allows his curiosity to drive his investigation. Inspector Legrasse’s testimony alerts Thurston to the violence associated with the cult itself, but he continues to remain interested because his research has little impact on him personally. Only Johansen’s firsthand account of traveling to R’lyeh and awakening Cthulhu is enough to convince Thurston of the enormous and overwhelming truth that he has uncovered. As the reader knows, possessing this much information proves fatal for Thurston.
Lovecraft emphasizes the high stakes of Thurston’s quest for knowledge in order to comment on the possible dangers associated with scientific discoveries. Despite the celebrations that often accompany new advancements, Lovecraft suggests that humanity may be better off without having all the answers. The truths that Thurston learns about the world around him are undeniably detrimental to his quality of life, and he emphasizes his regret throughout his manuscript. This perspective places greater value on the comfort and security that ignorance can provide in comparison to the endless possibilities that knowledge offers.
Humanity is subject to forces beyond its control.
Throughout “The Call of Cthulhu,” many of the characters find themselves in difficult situations through no fault of their own. Any personal agency that they have seems to pale in comparison to the forces working against them, and this dynamic heightens the tension within the story. Lovecraft explores the influences that shape human experiences in two distinct ways. He first takes a more traditional approach by calling attention to the significance of fate, frequently demonstrating the power that it has over free will. Much of Thurston’s journey, for example, occurs because of opportunities or information that appear before him. He does not initially seek out information about the Cthulhu cult of his own volition but becomes curious after he inherits Professor Angell’s papers. Even after Thurston begins researching more actively, his engagement with Johansen’s story, arguably his most groundbreaking piece of evidence, is only possible because he happens to come across a Sydney Bulletin article about him. These moments of fate undeniably put Thurston on the path to his untimely end, suggesting that he is not solely responsible for the suffering he endures.
The second, more unsettling way in which Lovecraft highlights the forces influencing human behavior is through the Great Old Ones and their ability to communicate with humans through their dreams. Despite having never seen or consciously engaged with them, worshippers and non-worshippers alike find themselves acting on their behalf. Wilcox, for example, knows absolutely nothing of Cthulhu, yet he creates an entire bas-relief in his sleep that clearly depicts it. The cult members also respond to signals from the Great Old Ones, completing violent rituals in order to satisfy their leader. Including this supernatural element in the story allows Lovecraft to expand the notion of reality and emphasize the frightening insignificance of mankind.
