READING

REPORT
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"From Beyond"
By H. P. Lovecraft

Submitted by:
Kenzyl Zia B. Camello
10- SHAKESPEARE
Submitted to:
Mrs. Frayamae Montes
15 Difficult Words:
Resonance- A phenomenon in which an external force
or frequency amplifies the natural vibration of an object
or system.
Pineal Gland- A small, pinecone-shaped endocrine
gland in the brain that produces melatonin and is
thought to be associated with the regulation of circadian
rhythms and spiritual experiences.
Cognizant- Aware or conscious of something; having
knowledge or realization.
Translucent- Allowing light to pass through but
diffusing it so that objects on the other side are not
clearly visible; semi-transparent.
Denizens- Inhabitants or occupants of a particular
place.
Aperture- An opening, hole, or gap, especially one that
allows light to pass through.
Terrified- Filled with intense fear or extreme
apprehension.
Hordes- Large, moving crowds or masses, typically of
people or animals.
Alternate Dimension- Another realm or level of
existence, beyond the scope of our conventional reality.
Defy- Resist or refuse to obey; go against.
Apoplexy- A sudden, usually severe, and often fatal
attack of paralysis and/or loss of consciousness caused
by a rupture or obstruction of a blood vessel in the
brain; a stroke.
Inter-dimensional- Pertaining to or existing between
different dimensions or planes of reality.
Perceive- To become aware of, know, or identify by
means of the senses.
Overlaps- To extend over and cover a part of; coincide
in part with; to coincide in time.
Apex- The highest point or summit, especially of a
structure or path.
Characters of the story:
Crawford Tillinghast- The best friend of the story's narrator,
Tillinghast, is a researcher of the "physical and
metaphysical". Characterized as a man of "feeling and
action", the narrator describes his physical transformation
after he succeeds in his experiments: "It is not pleasant to
see a stout man suddenly grown thin, and it is even worse
when the baggy skin becomes yellowed or grayed, the eyes
sunken, circled, and uncannily glowing, the forehead veined
and corrugated, and the hands tremulous and twitching."
Summary of events in chronological order (plot):
The story is told from the first-person perspective of an
unnamed narrator and details his experiences with a
scientist named Crawford Tillinghast. Tillinghast
creates an electronic device that emits a resonance
wave, which stimulates an affected person's pineal
gland, thereby allowing them to perceive planes of
existence outside the scope of accepted reality.
Sharing the experience with Tillinghast, the narrator
becomes cognizant of a translucent, inter-dimensional
environment that overlaps our own recognized reality.
From this perspective, he witnesses hordes of strange
and horrific creatures that defy description. Tillinghast
reveals that he has used his machine to transport his
house servants into the overlapping plane of reality.
He also reveals that the effect works both ways, and
allows the inter-dimensional creature denizens of the
alternate dimension to perceive humans. Tillinghast's
servants were attacked and killed by one such inter-
dimensional entity, and Tillinghast informs the
narrator that it is right behind him. Terrified beyond
measure, the narrator pulls out his gun and shoots it
at the machine, destroying it. Tillinghast dies
immediately thereafter as a result of apoplexy. The
police investigate the scene and it is placed on record
that Tillinghast murdered the servants in spite of their
remains never being found.
Theme of the story:
In "From Beyond," Lovecraft's recurring theme of
cosmic horror is evident as the narrative highlights
humanity's smallness in the face of immense,
unfathomable cosmic forces. According to the story,
there are dimensions and entities that are outside the
realm of human comprehension, and trying to discover
their mysteries can drive one insane or terrifying.
Purpose of the story:
The purpose is to evoke a sense of cosmic dread by
introducing a machine that enables humans to
perceive dimensions beyond their normal senses. The
story reflects Lovecraft's overarching philosophy that
there are aspects of the universe that are beyond
human comprehension and that attempting to grasp
or manipulate these elements can lead to madness
and existential horror. It also aligns with Lovecraft's
broader exploration of cosmic horror, the limits of
human perception, and the psychological impact of
encountering the unknown.
Moral lesson and its application to your life:
The story suggests that there are realms of knowledge
that humans are not meant to explore. Seeking to
understand the unknown without proper caution can
lead to dire consequences.
The story emphasizes the importance of respecting the
mysteries of the universe. Some things may be beyond
our comprehension, and meddling with them can lead
to peril.
Exposure to the unknown can have profound effects
on the human mind. Delving too deep into the
mysteries of existence can lead to madness.
Curiosity, while a valuable trait, should be tempered
with caution. Unbridled curiosity, especially when it
comes to the unknown, can have unforeseen and
possibly harmful consequences.
Application to Life:
In real life, this can be a reminder to approach
knowledge and exploration with humility.
Understanding that there are limits to our
understanding can prevent overreaching and potential
harm.
Encourages a sense of humility and an
acknowledgment that not everything needs to be
understood or controlled. There is value in recognizing
and respecting the limits of our understanding.
In everyday life, this can be a metaphor for the
potential psychological impact of pushing oneself too
hard or seeking answers to questions that may be
better left unanswered. It underscores the importance
of mental well-being and balance.
Encourages a balanced approach to curiosity, where
the pursuit of knowledge is accompanied by a
thoughtful consideration of the potential
consequences.