Talk:The Outsider (short story)

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Spoiler much?

Jesus christ, I only wanted to check what this article was about, and it just spoiled the whole book in the first fucking sentence. or second. Whatever. No point in reading this now—Preceding unsigned comment added by 89.10.28.103 (talk • contribs) 15:25, August 29, 2010 (UTC)

An Autobiography?

I agree with the critics who state this story is autobiographical, although anagogical might be a better classification. In fact, I think that its power lies in Lovecraft's strong identification with the main character, the Outsider. Lovecraft had minimal social and sexual activity during his childhood. Most of what he learned about the outside world was from reading about it, just as the Outsider. When Lovecraft does try to get a life, he lacks the social and economic skills to do so effectively, just as (but not as dramatically as) the Outsider. Then, understanding his situation, he retreats from the world of jobs, procreation, and friends to a simpler life style that he can deal with, just as the Outsider. The Outsider hangs out with ghouls in catacombs; Lovecraft lives with his aunts, and corresponds and occasionally visits congenial people and places. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.25.144.163 (talk) 23:46, 7 August 2013 (UTC)[reply]