1. “The Pit and the Pendulum”
Edgar A. Poe

2. General Info Written in 1842 Author: Edgar Allan Poe
The time span of 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)

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. The narrator: our protagonist/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.

6. Theme: central idea Untimely Death Isolation Torture
Will to live vs. desire to die- Survival
Fear
Loss of time
Persecution

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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”

10. 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?