At the Mountains of Madness

As he explores the ruined city, Dyer learns about the art of the Old Ones. How do his own personal biases affect his interpretation of this art? What does he mean by “cultural decadence” and how does he feel about it?

Scientific instruments are important symbols in the text. How does their use reflect the growing fears of the humans?

Dyer repeats the phrase “mountains of madness” more than once (1). What is the effect of his personification of the mountain range?

Dyer notes that a second, more dreadful mountain range exists—one that frightens the Old Ones. How does the existence of this other mountain range affect the portrayal of the Old Ones?

Dyer feels a loss of identity in Antarctica. How does this loss of identity intensify his fear?

The existence of the Old Ones makes humanity and all human knowledge seem inadequate. How does this revelation affect the characters?

Danforth suffers a nervous breakdown because of a vision, yet Dyer never learns what the vision contained. How does the absence of detail function in relation to Lovecraftian horror?

Dyer describes Antarctica as one of the few unexplored regions on the Earth. How does the mystery surrounding the continent instill a sense of dread in the reader?