page_title: Styles and themes of Robert E. Howard
hierarchical_section_title: Styles and themes of Robert E. Howard
caption_attribution_description: This is a very well-known photograph of Robert E. Howard taken in 1934. According to his then-girlfriend Novalyne Price, he hated wearing a suit, tie, and hat, yet he went to a studio and had several photographs taken because she liked it when he dressed up. It's ironic that a photo he may have admired least has become the Definitive Image of the author. This image is in the public domain, and may be found on countless Robert E. Howard websites, fan pages or book sleeves.
context_page_description: The distinctive literary styles and themes of Robert E. Howard rely on a combination of many factors. In his fiction, he used devices borrowed from classical and traditional works, as well as formal rhetoric. In his poetry, he used rhythm, stress, and intonation to achieve a sense of motion. Some of his fiction has been described as prose poetry. His works can be distinguished by his use of violence and hate as positive forces in his universe, which can be seen as a part of the American Myth. In keeping with the era in which he worked, a grim and hardboiled theme pervades. The continuing cycle of civilisation and barbarism is highlighted in several works. Although he died before it was formally defined, an existentialism subtext runs through his writing. He was an aesthete and had affinity for romanticism and neo-romanticism, although in this he was out of step with his era.
context_section_description: The distinctive literary styles and themes of Robert E. Howard rely on a combination of many factors.  In his fiction, he used devices borrowed from classical and traditional works, as well as formal rhetoric.  In his poetry, he used rhythm, stress, and intonation to achieve a sense of motion.  Some of his fiction has been described as prose poetry.  His works can be distinguished by his use of violence and hate as positive forces in his universe, which can be seen as a part of the American Myth.  In keeping with the era in which he worked, a grim and hardboiled theme pervades. The continuing cycle of civilisation and barbarism is highlighted in several works.  Although he died before it was formally defined, an existentialism subtext runs through his writing.  He was an aesthete and had affinity for romanticism and neo-romanticism, although in this he was out of step with his era.
caption: Robert E. Howard in 1934
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