The Enduring Legacy of Robert E. Howard and the Cultural Significance of American Literary Tradition

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Within the realm of cultural facets, the U.S. is likely best known for its music and cinema. However, some argue that the American cultural tradition is either «lesser» or nonexistent. But this isn’t true. The country of the Stars and Stripes has a rich literary tradition that includes such significant names as Edgar Allan Poe, Walt Whitman, Mark Twain, William Faulkner, Jack London, H.P. Lovecraft, and Robert E. Howard, among others.

Focusing on Walt Whitman, the renowned poet wrote in 1883 (1) that «for the composite American identity of the future, the Spanish character will supply some of the parts most needed. No one shows a more grandiose historical retrospective in terms of religiosity and loyalty, or in terms of patriotism, courage, decorum, gravity, and honor.»

Shifting our focus to Howard, he is the Texan writer best known for his character Conan, though Kull of Atlantis and Solomon Kane are also notable. While Howard dabbled in genres such as westerns, science fiction, and erotic stories, he will always be remembered as one of the leading exponents of heroic fantasy, perhaps even the creator of the genre known as sword and sorcery.

Robert E. Howard is a cult author. While some criticize the films based on his work for being unfaithful to the author, the truth is that in the 1980s, they sparked an interest among many newcomers who wanted to immerse themselves in the stories that made a sensation through «pulp fiction.» Moreover, Conan the Barbarian was filmed in Spain, from the Meseta to the Mediterranean, and Arnold Schwarzenegger holds fond memories of that time, which created a whole legion of fans.

After all, rather than «inventing from scratch,» Robert Howard was a great «interpreter» of epic and ancient history, but with the eyes of a Texan who had witnessed the harsh life in his homeland, full of brawls, oil fields, agricultural and pastoral worlds, and strong oral and folkloric traditions—all leading up to the Great Depression, which he experienced as a very young man, for his short life ended tragically in suicide.

Howard’s literary quality is based on research and inspiration. Picts, Scythians, Iberians, Egyptians, Norsemen, and Africans served as suggestions for creating a literary universe filled with archetypes.

I believe our Texan represents a special call to attention for our time. Howard, with his knowledge and imagination, and without financial resources, created a literary body of remarkable quality, full of vivid images and thrilling adventures. However, today, with all the resources available, mediocrity, brutality, and sectarianism are rewarded.

It is also true that Howard eventually faced difficulties with the publishing world, and perhaps that hastened his tragic end—a tragedy set in a time full of difficulties and contradictions after the «Roaring Twenties.»

For a long time, we lived in a bubble, believing in the «end of history» as preached by Francis Fukuyama, as if nothing would ever change and everything would remain «happy.» But reality is hitting us, and «wokism» is destroying our civilization to the benefit of others.

Perhaps Howard had «fatal» conceptions about barbarism and civilization, but the truth is, he was remarkably accurate in many of his analyses, skillfully expressing them in his writing, especially through his famous Cimmerian.

I believe these are times in which we must defend what we believe in and defend ourselves, starting from the most intimate and fundamental aspects required for survival. That is why that Texan, who was part of Lovecraft’s circle and delved deeply into the roots of our culture to create characters and worlds that will always fascinate us, can contribute a great deal to us today.