Download “The Pit and the Pendulum”

“The Pit and the
Pendulum”
Edgar A. Poe
General 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)
Setting
 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 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
protagonist/main character
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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 idea
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Untimely Death
Isolation
Torture
Will to live vs. desire to die- Survival
Fear
Loss of time
Persecution
Genre: category into
which 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
language and literary
elements
 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
Symbol
 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. . .
 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?