"Herbert West -- Reanimator" by H.P. Lovecraft

"Herbert West -- Reanimator" is a short story written by H.P. Lovecraft in 1921 in serial format for a literary magazine. Though he has stated that he isn't too fond of this piece of work, it has undoubtedly been known as an essential piece or horror literature. The story is told from the point of view of an unnamed narrator, whom was the assistant of the title character, Herbert West. When the story begins both the narrator and West are medical students at Miskatonic University in Arkham, Massachusetts. West is obsessed with the notion of reviving the dead through a reagent he has created. West, during his tenure at the University, experimented on many a different animal, but came up with nothing conclusive. He decides the time is right to venture into new territory: human trials.

The narrator goes on to tell the horrifying tale of West's adventures in grave robbing and his inhuman experiments done in the shadows of abandoned houses and barns. West begins to lose focus on why he's doing what he is and becomes mad with the notion of reanimation of a corpse. His first trial turns out badly. The subject did in fact reanimate, but every shred of human life is gone. He's ravenous and evil. West and his assistant flee, burning down their secret lab in the process, but no body is found. The creature lives. West continue these experiments and they just continue to become worse and worse, but he continues, hoping that if it works, his fame and admiration will make up for any and all ill feelings he may receive from naysayers.

This story is often credited as being one of the earliest incarnations of the zombie as we know it today. The story takes many themes from the work of Mary Shelley and uses them in a way that relates more to zombies as we now know them. What I feel really makes this story amazing is that West feels what he's doing is right, and beneficial to mankind in one way or another, so his actions will ultimately be forgiven. It creates a reason for the creatures that plague this small town, and gives a face to the evil. Like every true villain, no matter how bad it is or how wrong he may be, West believes his work is good and his word is truth. Though, even though he feels his work is justified, he fears what he's created, but he doesn't stop. He's a man possessed and at the end of the story, he willingly let's the "hideous tomb-legions" rip him apart because he knows he must own up for his mistake. He knew his time was up, and living for 17 years, constantly looking over his shoulder in fear, is no way to live. He's the ultimate mad scientist. He didn't want to rule the world, in his own weird way he wanted to help it, but he couldn't stop when he should have. Brilliant.

To end this, my favorite quote from this story which I like to use as often as possible.

"They imply that I am either a madman or a murderer -- probably I am mad. But I might not be mad if those accursed tomb-legions had not been so silent."