My question: Who would better weaponize the possibility of rats in the walls, H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Allen Poe or John Steinbeck?

All three of these writers were known for their ability to create suspenseful and frightening stories, but they had different styles and approaches to horror.

H.P. Lovecraft was known for his cosmic horror and the idea of unknown, indescribable terrors lurking beyond human understanding. He would likely approach the possibility of rats in the walls as a source of cosmic dread and a hint of some unspeakable terror waiting to be unleashed. Lovecraft might use the idea of rats as a symbol of a greater, more terrible threat lurking just out of sight.

Edgar Allan Poe was known for his psychological horror, using the inner fears and anxieties of his characters to create a sense of terror. He might use the rats as a metaphor for the character's own internal demons, suggesting that the true horror lies within the mind.

John Steinbeck was known for his social realism and his ability to capture the struggles of ordinary people. He might use the rats as a symbol of poverty and desperation, exploring the lives of those who live in squalor and must contend with the constant threat of disease and vermin.

Ultimately, all three writers could potentially use the idea of rats in the walls to create a sense of horror and dread, but they would approach it in different ways depending on their individual styles and interests.

Ah well, what was I expecting anyway?