Untitled story (Better that a man should remain in kindly ignorance, than . . .)

Introduction

Robert E. Howard’s untitled short fiction, “Better that a man should remain…”, explores the themes of identity, heritage, and existential dread. Written in the early 20th century, this piece delves into the psychological turmoil of its protagonist, who grapples with a mysterious and unsettling revelation about his origins and destiny. The narrative is introspective, rich with gothic atmosphere, and reflects Howard’s mastery in evoking a sense of cosmic horror.

Summary

The story opens with the protagonist reflecting on the peril of seeking hidden truths. He suggests that ignorance might be preferable to the torment he now endures, having discovered a dark secret about his identity. Previously, he experienced a vague restlessness that gnawed at the edges of his otherwise dreamy and semi-contented existence. However, now that he has unearthed the truth about his origins, he finds no joy even in the things he once loved, such as ancient ruins bathed in moonlight. These ruins now remind him of even older, more eerie structures haunted by a different moon.

The protagonist belongs to a noble and illustrious lineage, as evidenced by the portraits of his ancestors that adorn the great hall of his family estate. These portraits depict men in armor, judges in ermine, and cavaliers in doublets. However, he notes a stark contrast between himself and these ancestors. Unlike his robust, fair-haired, and ruddy brothers, he has always been lean, with dark, lackluster hair and a pallid complexion. His eyes are dark and gleam strangely, and his long, slender hands add to his ethereal appearance. From a young age, his interests and tastes diverged markedly from those of his family.

Even as an infant, he was plagued by a sense of unrest and a vague discontent with his surroundings. He was haunted by dim memories or imaginations of other places and scenes, which his family dismissed as evidence of a flighty and uncontrolled imagination.

Characters

  • Unnamed Protagonist: The main character who narrates the story. He is haunted by a dark secret about his origins and feels a profound sense of disconnection from his noble family. His lean, pale appearance and dark eyes set him apart from his robust and fair-haired brothers. He experiences a deep existential dread and a yearning for otherworldly places.
  • Unnamed Ancestors: The protagonist’s illustrious forebears whose portraits hang in the great hall. They are depicted as men of stature and authority, dressed in various historical garments such as armor, judicial robes, and cavalier doublets. They symbolize the noble lineage and heritage from which the protagonist feels estranged.
  • Unnamed Brothers: The protagonist’s siblings, who are described as sturdy, fair-haired, and ruddy. They embody the conventional attributes of their noble family, in contrast to the protagonist’s unique and otherworldly characteristics.

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