This essay is written to represent and defend the narrator in Edgar Allen Poe’s horror story, The Black Cat. While sitting in his cell shortly before his execution for his wife’s murder, he has written a story of his crimes. Upon a closer look into the story, it is obvious his crimes are due to an uncontrollable urge and a psychological transformation leading to his demise. His story ended when the spirit of “perverseness” irrevocably over threw his mind. “The unfathomable longing of the [narrator’s]…
Words 580 - Pages 3
Comparative Essay Edgar Allan Poe was an American poet and writer who is regarded as the master of macabre, focusing on the horror genre with themes of death and insanity being explored throughout his work. “The Tell Tale Heart” and “The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe are both stories concerning madness and hysteria. Both stories are written from the perspective of a seemingly normal narrator who tries to prove their sanity to the reader. Ironically, in trying to rationalize their actions they…
Words 1332 - Pages 6
analysis on Phil Maxwells image titled Cat Lady of Spitalfields I picked this image to do my analysis on, because I just found it so intriguing and interesting to look at, especially with the title it is given. The background of this image is that no one actually saw her with any cats, but she used to always take around her little shopping trolley and it was full of cat food, and when ever she was asked a question she would answer with “i’m waiting for the cats to appear’. To me this just seems like…
Words 552 - Pages 3
any abnormalities or imperfections. Apparently, the eye symbolizes an awareness of the narrator’s insanity, for he suggests that the eye possesses the capability of distinguishing imperfections that others fail to see, and could therefore view his mental condition. An additional symbol featured in the text is the sound of a beating heart. Within the eighth page of the tale, the narrator described, “I felt that I must scream or die!-and now-again!-hark! Louder! Louder! Louder! Louder!- ‘Villains…
Words 1861 - Pages 8
Minister’s Black Veil” is one of the most recognized. This short story exemplifies the characteristics of dark romanticism with its morbid tone and use of symbolism to express human fallibility and sin. Similarly, Edgar Allan Poe demonstrates some of the same characteristics…
Words 1518 - Pages 7
think many situations and when his sister “passes away” he goes mad. This is when the hypochondriasis comes into play. Hypochondriasis is a belief that physical symptoms are signs of a serious illness, even when there is no medical evidence to support the presence of an illness. The symptoms of this illness are the inability to control ones fear or worries. Usher dealt with his madness through artistic forms. He played instruments, wrote poetry and painted. He also shows anxiety, which is another…
Words 675 - Pages 3
techniques like beginning their stories with descriptions of a dark and stormy night. Poe's effective narrative choices like: withholding information and controlling pacing develop the narrator's character and create suspense in his Gothic story "The Black Cat." Withholding information is the first way Poe builds suspense. As the story begins, the narrator is clearly addressing an audience, as if he knows us already, though we haven't met him yet. He tells us that he's not mad and then says: "But to-morrow…
Words 386 - Pages 2
Banquo, out of fear of not becoming king and being overthrown. Macbeth’s flaws that lead to his downfall are common among humans and are not personal to himself. His downfall is caused by flaws in human nature such as selfishness, peer pressure, and mental illnesses. In The Tragedy of Macbeth, Macbeth starts the play as a moral man and loyal to his kinsman, King Duncan. In Act One, he is visited by three witches who tell him of his future and say he will become king. At first he is content with his…
Words 1296 - Pages 6
(AGG) Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental illness that 7.8 percent of all Americans will experience once in their lifetime (Post). (BS-1) Post-traumatic stress disorder is accurately portrayed in the book Under the Persimmon Tree. (BS-2) The author uses these facts about post-traumatic stress disorder to create more authentic characterization and scenarios. (BS-3) This book shows just how real and dangerous life at war is, and that actual people deal with it every day, and will do…
Words 1677 - Pages 7
Doan 1 Taylor Doan Mrs. Debes English 11 Block 4 5 December 2014 To Serve and Maybe Protect “They thought I was a cat with nine lives. The two shots that were fired at me did not kill me. One of them cocked his gun, hit it on the ground and released the shot that got me on the leg. They fled the scene, believing I was dead like my friend” (Life 1). Mathew Koseblinu, an alleged victim of police brutality in Lagos, Nigeria, came into conflict with police officers on August 15, 2014. Po…
Words 2025 - Pages 9