YMMV / Pickman's Model

• Alternative Character Interpretation:
  • Thurber's narration can seem a theatrical and even shrill. But it's hinted that Thurber is a World War I vet and therefore was probably suffering from PTSD before he met Pickman.
  • Why exactly does Pickman paint ghouls from life? Is it because he is partly one himself, and is slowly turning into one? Or is it possible that he's attracted to them sexually or even romantically, and yearns to be a part of their world? It's known that Lovecraft himself held a dim view of homosexuality even while maintaining close friendships with men he knew were gay, so that may explain at least partly why Pickman is described as "abnormal and eccentric," the first word being a common code for homosexual at the time. Pickman himself certainly seems extremely happy and content when he has become a ghoul in Dream Quest.
• It Was His Sled: With the years, Lovecraft's knockout ending that Pickman was painting real ghouls has become well-known amongst horror aficionados due to Lovecraft's reputation and the inclusion of ghouls in the greater Cthulhu Mythos.
• Narm: Thurber is very jumpy through his visit to Pickman. To some readers he can come across as melodramatic, theatrical, and even hysterical.
• Ugly Cute: Lovecraft's own illustration◊ of what the ghoul is supposed to look like is dorky.