He had worked to save those men, though it had been hopeless work. Mankind had acquired an appetite for dying; doctors had become shepherds to the process.
The quote reflects a deep sense of futility in the struggle to save humanity from its own destructive tendencies. It suggests that despite the efforts of caregivers, such as doctors, there is a pervasive acceptance of death within society. This resignation to death implies a troubling reality where individuals seem to embrace their mortality rather than fight against it. The title "Lovecraft Unbound" hints at themes of existential dread, paralleling Lovecraft’s exploration of humanity's helplessness in the face of cosmic horrors.
In this context, the role of doctors transitions from healers to mere guides through the inevitable process of dying. The imagery of shepherds evokes a rather grim view of their profession, moving away from the traditional heroic narrative of saving lives to that of witnessing the gradual acceptance of death. This evokes a contemplative stance on the human condition, where the capacity for hope clashes with an overwhelming acceptance of fate, thereby illuminating the darker aspects of human existence.
