Edgar Allen Poe

Famous Works:- “The Raven”- "The Tell-Tale Heart"- "The Cask of

Amontillado"

Developed characters whose sanity is questionable.

Universally credited as a significant contributor to the development of the short story as a literary genre.

Edgar Allen Poe

Poe wrote Gothic fiction

- a genre of literature and (later film) that combines fiction, horror, death andromance.

“The effect of Gothic fiction feeds on a pleasing sort of terror, an extension of Romantic literary period.”

Edgar Allen Poe

Gothic Literary Period: 18th century-19th century

Gloomy settings, atmosphere of terror, mystery, & monsters (unnatural or human)

Gothic works & authors -

Frankenstein - Mary Shelley

Dracula - Bram Stoker

Edgar Allen Poe

Gothic Fiction

- Writings inspired during a time in society that seemed uncontrolled (i.e. revolution, industrialization)

- Explored unseen evil and forces beyond our control

Edgar Allen Poe

Gothic Fiction

- Writers and thinkers who felt limited by such a confident worldview and recognized that the power of the past, the irrational, and the violent continue to hold sway in the world

Verbal Irony

- When a speaker or narrator says one thing while meaning the opposite.

- What is stated: “My dear Fortunado… how remarkably well you are looking today! (32-33)

- But in reality, Fortunado looks terrible - a drunken slob.

Situational Irony

- When an event contradicts the expectations of the characters or the reader.

- Example:

- What is expected:

- Carnival is a time of festivities and celebration.

- What actually happens:

- Carnival is a time for crimes to occur.

Dramatic Irony

- When the reader or audience knows more about what is going to happen than the main characters know.

- Example:

- The reader knows that Montresor wants to get his revenge against Fortunado

- Fortunado does not know this.

Is Revenge Ever Justified?

“Montresor’s lack of remorse, even after fifty years, should not be a wonder… he has an obligation to his family.

He savors deeply the satisfaction that success in carrying out this obligation. What he did, he is convinced, is justified.

He was carrying out an obligation to his family as he saw it - as he was culturally conditioned to see it.

Fifty years after the event, he can recount it with pride.”

(-Thompson)