Edgar Allan Poe´s “The Pit and the Pendulum” was first published in The Gift: A Christmas and New Year′s Present (1843) and revised for publication in The Broadway Journal of 17 May 1845. Although by this time the Spanish Inquisition was officially over, the American public was still interested in such topics.
During the nineteenth century a fascination with death evolved. People were interested in gothic novels, were fascinated by horror stories, they loved tales that included elements of magic, supernatural and torture. This morbid fascination with death received its most intensive literary treatment at the hands of Edgar Allan Poe. In The Pit and the Pendulum Poe uses all the elements people were fond of: adventure, supernatural, horror, death, being helpless etc. He moves the sensibility of the reader and evokes a certain emotional reaction.
In this term paper I am going to concentrate on how Poe achieved a certain effect with his story. First I will take a closer look at the prisoner´s constant escapes, point out that most of these escapes are unbelievable and try to find out what the aim of his torturers might be. I will speculate on possibilities, what could have happened to the prisoner if he had made other choices during his stay in the dungeon. Then I will illustrate that there are certain parallels between a tomb and the dungeon in which the prisoner has to endure humiliation and agony, so the victim appears to be buried alive. Hope is the most important "property" he has, it seems as if nobody could take it away from him, and with the help of hope he survives his stay in the dungeon. Whether the story is based on a real or on a dream experience is pointed out shortly. Finally I will present and analyze the symbols that can be found in the story. These symbols underlie and develop the aforementioned theories further, it seems as if the prisoner is not only buried alive in a tomb, but he seems to be in hell already.
The individual elements of this short story can not be separated totally from each other, as these said elements often overlap. Sometimes, I feel, it is not possible to discuss something in full detail in one part of this work, as the same elements appear later again in another context, where the discussion can assume new and different aspects.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The aim of the torturers and how the victim defies them
- 2.1 The three lethal obstacles
- 2.2 Physical torture and death that never came about
- 3. The dungeon as a tomb
- 3.1 The will to live on and never give up
- 3.2 Being a victim of inquisition: dream or reality?
- 4. Symbols
- 5. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper analyzes Edgar Allan Poe's "The Pit and the Pendulum," focusing on the torturers' aims, the prisoner's defiance, the symbolic representation of the dungeon as a tomb, and the use of symbolism throughout the story. The paper explores how Poe creates suspense and evokes emotional responses from the reader.
- The torturers' aims and methods
- The prisoner's strategies for survival and escape
- The symbolic representation of the dungeon
- The significance of various symbols within the narrative
- The blurring of reality and dream in the narrative
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context of Poe's "The Pit and the Pendulum," noting its publication history and the 19th-century fascination with death and gothic horror. It introduces the paper's focus: examining Poe's techniques in creating suspense and emotional impact. The author outlines their approach, promising to analyze the prisoner's escapes, the torturers' motives, the dungeon's symbolism, and the potential reality versus dream nature of the narrative, culminating in an analysis of the story's key symbols. The chapter highlights the interconnectedness of these elements and the author's methodology, including the use of external sources for symbolic interpretation.
2. The aim of the torturers and how the victim defies them: This chapter delves into the torturers' intentions, arguing that their sadistic desire for prolonged suffering outweighs a simple execution. The narrative's ambiguity regarding the prisoner's guilt is emphasized. The author explores the three "lethal obstacles" – the pit, the pendulum, and the closing walls – analyzing how the prisoner's escapes, often attributed to luck or circumstance, underscore the torturers' perverse game of extending his agony. The chapter highlights the torturers' aim as not just death, but drawn-out torment and observation of the victim's struggle. The seemingly unbelievable escapes highlight the irrationality and sadistic nature of the tormentors.
3. The dungeon as a tomb: This section draws parallels between the dungeon and a tomb, emphasizing the prisoner's experience of being "buried alive." The author focuses on the prisoner's unwavering will to live, powered by hope, and how this defiance underscores the psychological torment inflicted. The chapter questions the narrative's grounding in reality or dream, examining how the setting and the psychological pressure contribute to the overall sense of entombment and impending doom. The analysis explores the emotional and psychological impact of the claustrophobic and inescapable environment, enhancing the theme of living death.
4. Symbols: This chapter presents and analyzes the symbolism present in Poe's story. The author intends to further develop the themes of entombment and psychological torment presented earlier. While the specific symbols analyzed are not detailed here, the chapter promises a deeper exploration of how these symbolic elements contribute to the overarching narrative and themes of the work. The expectation is that the chapter uses symbolic analysis to further support the interpretations established in previous sections.
Keywords
Edgar Allan Poe, The Pit and the Pendulum, Spanish Inquisition, torture, symbolism, suspense, gothic horror, survival, death, hope, dream, reality, psychological torment, literary analysis.
Edgar Allan Poe's "The Pit and the Pendulum": A Comprehensive FAQ
What is this document about?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a term paper analyzing Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Pit and the Pendulum." It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The analysis focuses on the torturers' aims, the prisoner's defiance, the symbolic representation of the dungeon as a tomb, and the use of symbolism throughout the story. It also explores how Poe creates suspense and evokes emotional responses in the reader.
What are the main themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores several key themes, including the torturers' aims and methods, the prisoner's strategies for survival and escape, the symbolic representation of the dungeon as a tomb, the significance of various symbols within the narrative, and the blurring of reality and dream in the narrative.
What are the key chapters and their summaries?
The paper is structured into five chapters: Chapter 1 (Introduction): Sets the context of Poe's story and outlines the paper's approach. Chapter 2 (The aim of the torturers and how the victim defies them): Analyzes the torturers' intentions and the prisoner's escapes. Chapter 3 (The dungeon as a tomb): Draws parallels between the dungeon and a tomb, focusing on the prisoner's will to live and the psychological torment. Chapter 4 (Symbols): Analyzes the symbolism in the story, further developing themes of entombment and psychological torment. Chapter 5 (Conclusion): [Summary not provided in preview].
What specific symbols are analyzed in the paper?
The preview doesn't detail the specific symbols analyzed, but it promises a deeper exploration of how symbolic elements contribute to the overall narrative and themes.
What is the methodology used in the paper?
The paper uses literary analysis techniques to interpret the story. It examines the narrative's language, structure, and symbolism to understand Poe's methods in creating suspense and emotional impact. The author also indicates using external sources for symbolic interpretation.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Edgar Allan Poe, The Pit and the Pendulum, Spanish Inquisition, torture, symbolism, suspense, gothic horror, survival, death, hope, dream, reality, psychological torment, literary analysis.
What is the overall goal of the paper?
The paper aims to provide a thorough analysis of Poe's "The Pit and the Pendulum," focusing on its thematic elements, symbolic language, and the creation of suspense and emotional impact on the reader. It seeks to interpret the story's meaning and significance within its historical and literary context.
- Quote paper
- Renate Bagossy (Author), 2004, The aim of the torturers, the tomb-like dungeon and symbols in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Pit and the Pendulum", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/28050
