This essay is a study regarding the use of H.P. Lovecraft´s Shadow over Innsmouth, Richard Matheson´s I am Legend and Joel M. Sipress´s three step program when working along the theme of race in the classroom. The study supports the argument that it is possible to successfully incorporate these two Sci-fi/Horror novels in a pedagogical context when working with race. To further strengthen this argument I am going to look closer at three terms, which will serve as the essay´s theoretical focus points, and investigate how they can be used to explain the content of the works and their understanding of race. These three terms are racial identity, racial hierarchies and hybridity. I am going to discuss the possibilities regarding how and why one could practically apply the two novels when working with Joel M. Sipress´s three-step strategy in the classroom. The reason behind my decision to focus my essay on this is because I want to explore the possibility for meaningly using these less-mainstream genres in a pedagogical context.

Why is H.P. Lovecraft still relevant? That is the one the questions put forward by this thesis. Lovecraft is known for his creation of Lovecraftian horror, also known as cosmic horror. However, his bigoted view on race and class muddies this legacy. What this thesis seeks to explore is how Lovecraft’s work demonstrates the fears and anxieties central to the America psyche. The paranoid style can be found in American discourse throughout history but it can also be found in the works of Lovecraft himself. Lovecraft was a prejudiced and paranoid man, and his prejudices and paranoia are a major part of his works. The fear that Lovecraft felt and wrote, is the same fear that continues to guide and shape America itself. This work explores four of Lovecraft’s work “The Call of Cthulhu,” “The Dunwich Horror,” “The Shadow Over Innsmouth;” as well as a lesser-known poem by Lovecraft “Providence 2000 A.D.”