““The Pit and the The Pit and the Pendulum”Pendulum”Edgar A. PoeEdgar A. Poe
General InfoGeneral Info
Written in 1842 Author: Edgar Allan Poe The time span of 1842-1843 was a time when Poe wrote many of his most known works.( “The Pit and the Pendulum”
1842, “The Tell-Tale Heart”- Jan. 1843, “The Masque of Red Death”- April 1842, “The Black Cat”- 1843)
SettingSetting
Setting: Toledo, Spain- Dungeon- During the Spanish inquisition
Allusion- a reference to a famous historical or literary figure or event. Its purpose is to explain and enhance the subject of the text.
This story alludes the Spanish Inquisition. *Note: The Spanish Inquisition began in 1487 under
the rule of KingFerdinand and Queen Isabella as well as Pope Sextius IV. The Spanish Inquisition tried to eliminate all non-Catholic, especially Jews and Muslims. It ended centuries later in 1834.
Point of ViewPoint of View
Point of View:: ~ 1st person POV: is told by a character who refers to himself or herself as “I” ~ Purposes- 1.We share immediately in the narrator’s experience
and feelings. 2.We know what only the narrator knows 3.The reader experiences what the narrator experiences. 4. Creates a sense of intimacy. 5. It limits the reader’s knowledge.
The narrator: our The narrator: our protagonist/main characterprotagonist/main character
Nameless Antagonist- ~ his insanity ~ his tormentors ~ time, etc. *Note- Poe rarely has a story with a happy ending. In Poe’s mind, the narrator, even after being rescued, can continue with a new, more
frightening type of torture…life.
Theme: central ideaTheme: central idea
Untimely Death Isolation Torture Will to live vs. desire to die- Survival Fear Loss of time Persecution
Genre: category into Genre: category into which a story fallswhich a story falls
Fiction- the events of the story did not happen ~ Horror Fiction ~ Gothic Novel: supernatural horrors and
atmosphere of unknown terror; extreme emotions (anger,surprise, fear, etc.)
Note: Poe is given credit for introducing the
modern detective story
Style: the way a writer uses Style: the way a writer uses language and literary language and literary elementselements
Use of Latin and French ( can be confusing to modern readers) Minimum use of characterization, plot and atmosphere Interest in the events that happen to people rather than the individual Uses a repeated male character- some say this male character may be various parts of him Famous for his use of suspense
SymbolSymbol
Pit= hell Pendulum= slow, approaching death;
time ticking down Father Time= Zeus’ father, Cronus;
controller of time Darkness= The unknown; ignorance Rats= A potential problem turned positive Unseen tormentors= personal “demons”
With a partner. . . With a partner. . .
What do you think really happens to the narrator at the end of the story?
Which aspect of the narrator’s torture—
physical or psychological—do you find
more horrible? Why?
Top Related