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Short Fiction · Character

Cotton Mather

A historical Puritan minister mentioned in the story.

minor

Also known as Mather

First appearance: the festival

Cotton Mather shows up with force in The Picture in the House. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Author of 'Magnalia Christi Americana', a book found on the shelf in the farmhouse.
In the storyThe Picture in the HouseOpen this moment free

Cotton Mather first appears in 0026 the festival.

In The Picture in the House: Author of 'Magnalia Christi Americana', a book found on the shelf in the farmhouse.

Later, in The Unnamable: Referenced as the author of 'Magnalia Christi Americana' who told of the beast with a blemished eye.

See Cotton Mather in The Picture in the HouseBook page

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Character Web

2 connections

A slice of how Cotton Mather sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

UNUnknown NarratorTMThe ManCMCotton Mather

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Diverse Lovecraftian characters
  • Protagonist
  • Supernatural victims and agents

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point

This is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of terror, where…

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In the story

Cotton Mather appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Cotton Mather unlock in the free preview.

See Cotton Mather in the festival
See Cotton Mather in The Picture in the House