# Unknown Narrator — Short Fiction character guide > Unknown Narrator in Short Fiction by H. P. Lovecraft. **Role:** major **Also known as:** I, me, mine, myself **First appearance:** 0000-the-alchemist ## Snapshot The unnamed first-person voice who reports on Malone, Derby, and other doomed souls, drawn to the latent mystery lurking beneath ordinary life. ## Who they are He moves through Lovecraft's tales as a witness and confidant—sometimes a poet turned reporter, sometimes a friend of the afflicted—always sensitive to the macabre shadows that others dismiss. His own morbid imagination, offset by keen logic and dark humor, makes him both a reliable observer and a man half in love with forbidden visions. He matters because his sensibility shapes how the horror arrives: not as spectacle but as a slow, personal revelation that the world is not what it seems. ## Relationships ### [The Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/the_man) _psychological_ The Unknown Narrator is deeply obsessed with The Man, who represents a mysterious and possibly supernatural figure central to the narrator's investigations. ### [Edward Derby Upton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/edward_derby_upton) _friendship_ Edward Derby Upton is a close friend and confidant of the narrator, often involved in shared occult or mysterious experiences. ### [The Doctor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/the_doctor) _professional_ The Doctor serves as a medical professional who provides information or treatment to the narrator, often in contexts of psychological or physical distress. ### [Randolph Carter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/randolph_carter) _friendship_ Randolph Carter is a recurring companion and fellow explorer of strange realms, sharing a bond of mutual curiosity and adventure with the narrator. ### [Asenath Waite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/asenath_waite) _psychological_ Asenath Waite is a mysterious and manipulative figure who exerts a disturbing influence over the narrator and those around her, often linked to body-swapping and dark magic. ### [Erich Zann](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/erich_zann) _social_ Erich Zann is a reclusive musician whom the narrator encounters, leading to a brief but eerie acquaintance centered on Zann's otherworldly music. ### [Malone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/malone) _friendship_ Malone is a fellow investigator or ally who shares the narrator's interest in uncovering dark secrets and supernatural phenomena. ### [Lieutenant Klenze](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/lieutenant_klenze) _professional_ Lieutenant Klenze is a military or police officer who interacts with the narrator in an official capacity, often regarding investigations of strange events. ### [Harley Warren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/harley_warren) _friendship_ Harley Warren is a close friend and fellow occult researcher who accompanies the narrator on dangerous explorations into forbidden knowledge. ### [Nahum Gardner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/nahum_gardner) _social_ Nahum Gardner is a rural farmer whose family is afflicted by a strange curse, and the narrator visits him to learn about the disturbing events. ### [Dr. Johnson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/dr_johnson) _professional_ Dr. Johnson is a medical doctor who provides clinical observations or assistance to the narrator, often in cases of mental or physical anomaly. ### [The Servants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/the_servants) _professional_ The Servants are household staff who interact with the narrator in a subordinate role, often conveying information or reacting to supernatural occurrences. ## In the story ### [The Alchemist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/the-alchemist) The last Comte of the cursed line, who discovers the family history and confronts the immortal alchemist. ### [A Reminiscence of Dr. Samuel Johnson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/a-reminiscence-of-dr-samuel-johnson) Reveals himself as Humphry Littlewit, born in 1690, now 228 years old; a friend of Pope, Addison, Swift, and Johnson. ### [Beyond the Wall of Sleep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/beyond-the-wall-of-sleep) The intern at the psychopathic institution who studies Joe Slater and uses a telepathic device to connect with his dreams. ### [Dagon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/dagon) The supercargo of a captured ship, he escapes and finds himself on the risen ocean floor, where he encounters a monolith and a monstrous entity, leading to his psychological breakdown and morphine addiction. ### [The White Ship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/the-white-ship) The narrator is Basil Elton, keeper of the North Point light, who recounts his voyage on the White Ship. ### [Nyarlathotep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/nyarlathotep) The first-person narrator who attends Nyarlathotep's exhibition and experiences the ensuing cosmic descent. ### [Polaris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/polaris) The dreamer and watcher, tormented by the Pole Star and guilt-ridden over his failure to warn Olathoe. ### [Ex Oblivione](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/ex-oblivione) The protagonist who seeks escape from waking life through dreams and ultimately takes a drug to pass through the bronze gate. ### [The Picture in the House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/the-picture-in-the-house) The genealogist traveling through the Miskatonic Valley who seeks shelter in the old farmhouse. ### [The Music of Erich Zann](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/the-music-of-erich-zann) The metaphysics student who rents a room in the Rue d'Auseil and becomes obsessed with Zann's music. ### [The Lurking Fear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/the-lurking-fear) The protagonist who investigates the lurking fear in the region. ### [The Shadow on the Chimney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/1-the-shadow-on-the-chimney) The protagonist and investigator of the lurking fear; a lover of the grotesque who leads the expedition to Tempest Mountain. ### [A Passer in the Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/2-a-passer-in-the-storm) The narrator, still shaken from the mansion encounter, leads the investigation and survives Munroe's attack. ### [What the Red Glare Meant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/3-what-the-red-glare-meant) The narrator digs in Jan Martense's grave, driven by obsession and madness after the death of Arthur Munroe. ### [4: The Horror in the Eyes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/4-the-horror-in-the-eyes) The narrator is the protagonist, driven by obsessive curiosity to explore Tempest Mountain, witness the emergence of the creatures, and later arrange their destruction. ### [Hypnos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/hypnos) The sculptor and dreamer who meets the mysterious stranger and follows him into forbidden dream-realms, ultimately left broken and haunted. ### [The Hound](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/the-hound) One of the two grave-robbers; narrates the tale of their blasphemous exploits and the haunting that follows. ### [The Horror of the Grave-Robbers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/i) The narrator, driven by ennui and aesthetic obsession, participates in grave-robbing and describes the horrific consequences. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/ii) The narrator recounts the escalating supernatural horrors, the death of St. John, and his own descent into madness. ### [The Rats in the Walls](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/the-rats-in-the-walls) The narrator, a descendant of the de la Poer family, restores Exham Priory and descends into madness as he uncovers the family's dark secrets. ### [Imprisoned with the Pharaohs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/imprisoned-with-the-pharaohs) The protagonist who is kidnapped and imprisoned in the pyramid. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/i) The narrator, a magician, describes his journey to Egypt and his involvement in the pyramid fight. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/ii) The protagonist, who descends into the underworld and witnesses the ghastly rites of Khephren and the mummies. ### [The Festival](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/the-festival) The protagonist who returns to Kingsport for the Yule-rite, descends into the underground, and escapes by jumping into the river. ### [The Unnamable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/the-unnamable) The narrator, a writer of supernatural tales, argues with Manton and recounts the legend of the unnamable monster. ### [The Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/the-temple) The German U-boat commander who records his descent into obsession and madness as he is drawn to the undersea temple. ### [The Tomb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/the-tomb) The narrator and protagonist, a dreamer and visionary who becomes obsessed with the Hyde family tomb. ### [The Outsider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/the-outsider) The protagonist and sole human figure in the chapter; recounts his isolated childhood in a decaying castle and his eventual discovery of his own monstrous reflection. ### [The Moon-Bog](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/the-moon-bog) The narrator is the protagonist who observes and experiences the supernatural events at Kilderry, ultimately fleeing in terror. ### [He](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/he) The protagonist, a poet who moves to New York seeking inspiration but finds only horror. He meets the ancient man and witnesses his dark powers. ### [The Colour Out of Space](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/the-colour-out-of-space) The surveyor who visits the blasted heath and recounts Ammi Pierce's tale. ### [Pickman's Model](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/pickman-s-model) The primary storyteller, a friend of Pickman who becomes increasingly horrified by the artist's work and revelations. ### [The Horror in Clay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/i-the-horror-in-clay) The narrator is the grandnephew and executor of Professor Angell, who discovers the bas-relief and notes. ### [III: The Madness from the Sea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/iii-the-madness-from-the-sea) The narrator discovers the Sydney Bulletin article and pieces together Johansen's account, concluding that the Cthulhu cult is real and that he knows too much. ### [Cool Air](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/cool-air) The narrator, a struggling writer, moves into a cheap boarding house and becomes involved with Dr. Muñoz after a heart attack. ### [The Silver Key](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/the-silver-key) Narrator describing Carter's journey and reflections. ### [From Beyond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/from-beyond) The narrator and friend of Tillinghast, who is drawn into the experiment against his will. He experiences terrifying visions and is left traumatized, unable to dismiss the reality of what he saw. ### [The Shadow Over Innsmouth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/the-shadow-over-innsmouth) The protagonist who visits Innsmouth and discovers his own connection to the town's horrors. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/i) The first-person narrator who travels to New England, learns about Innsmouth, and investigates its history and the strange tiara. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/ii) The protagonist who arrives in Innsmouth, explores the town, and gathers information from locals. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/iii) The narrator listens to Zadok's tale and becomes increasingly uneasy, eventually left alone after Zadok's flight. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/iv) The narrator experiences the horrific vision of the fish-frog creatures and later tries to escape Innsmouth, only to be stranded at the Gilman House. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/v) The narrator recounts his dreams, his acquisition of the Innsmouth look, and his genealogical research in Cleveland. He decides not to shoot himself and plans to join his cousin in escaping to Y'ha-nthlei. ### [The Haunter of the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/the-haunter-of-the-dark) The narrator who presents Blake's diary and the events surrounding his death, offering both skeptical and supernatural interpretations. ### [The Meeting of Edward Derby and Asenath Waite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/2) The narrator, a friend of Edward Derby, who observes and recounts the events of the chapter. ### [The Unseen Exchange](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/3) Observes the changes in Edward and Asenath, receives confidences about occult matters, and becomes concerned for Edward's sanity. ### [The Shunned House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/the-shunned-house) The primary investigator and chronicler of the house's history. ### [The Shunned House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/i) The narrator recounts his childhood experiences with the shunned house and his later investigations spurred by his uncle's notes. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/ii) The narrator, now an adult, receives the collected notes from his uncle and becomes consumed by a new, burning curiosity about the shunned house, leading to a quest that proves disastrous. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/iii) The narrator investigates the shunned house's history, reviews his uncle's data, and experiences a terrifying vision in the cellar. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/iv) The narrator assists his uncle in the vigil, experiencing nightmares and a sense of confinement and hostility. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/v) The narrator experiences the horror, attempts to destroy the entity, and ultimately succeeds in ending the curse. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/unknown_narrator - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters