Edgar Allen Poe
Edgar Allen Poe. The name evokes morbid and quite psychotic imagery just from the mere sight of it. That is, from the few stories I have read in his name. He is a man of great intelligence that cannot be denied and sadly, a man of great madness that can also not be denied. He describes feelings of innate and morbid tendencies within the human psyche, that are completely realistic, yet unfathomable to human ethics. In the few stories I have read, which include: "The Cask of Amontillado", "The Black Cat," and "The Tell-Tale Heart," I have found that there are great thematic similarities within his works. He is most obviously not a man of indifference. His stories portray the same setting and overall dark satirical feeling to the reader. In the "Cask of Amontillado," Poe portrays the madness of his character quite coherently. The most clearest theme in this morbid story is that of psychotic need to fulfill the all too powerful drive of revenge. The main character is vengeful toward the drunkard, Fortunato. His insulted persona has apparently taken on the bitterness of his avenger's discrepancies. He is out to kill, yet in a lovely way. Lovely, in the sense that he is completely hospitable and carin
With in these three Poe stories that I have read, are numerous thematic similarities. They all possess a morbid tone and an unsetting story. Each story implies an infatuation with madness, that is yet sane in a disturbing sense. The main character in each story shows remorse for what he has done, so in a way these stories portray humanity within insanity. In the "Cask of Amontillado" and " The Tell Tale Heart" both of the main characters have certain psychotic rituals that they follow. They lure their predators in by showing affection towards them. "I was never kinder to the old man than during the whole week before I killed him" (Poe 1). "I continued, as was my wont, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation." (Poe 136) The characters follow a certain ritual that allows them to capture their predators like a cat, pouncing unexpectedly. In the "Cask of Amontillado" Poe portrays yet another morbid weakness of the human psyche. In this story the theme is quite clearly just another example of madness within the human heart. The only difference between the story and reality is that the madness is carried out. The urge to kill is not just a thought, but a disturbing and infatuating inclination that is acted upon. In this story the "madman" is completely disturbed by this apparent "evil eye". He becomes obsessed with eliminating this lingering and piercing eye that seems to be hovering over his every glance and watching his every move. It is probably just paranoia of this "evil eyes" capabilities to see within the soul of the main character and interpret his madness. This is most obviously the reason for the main character h
Some common words found in the essay are:
Amontillado Poe, Black Cat, Little Britney, Tale Heart, Allen Poe, Tell-Tale Heart, main character, black cat, Cask Amontillado, cask amontillado, tell tale heart, stories read, tell tale, tale heart, Tell Tale, poe 1, theme story, edgar allen, Edgar Allen, allen poe, edgar allen poe, Amontillado Tell, main character explains, character explains mad, amontillado tell tale,
Approximate Word count = 1157
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
