math in "the pit and the pendulum"greenspun.com : LUSENET : The Work of Edgar Allan Poe : One Thread |
please, anyone, help me identify different math equations alluded to in 'the pit and the pendulum
-- Anonymous, May 31, 2001
Can't get hold of the text. Poe liked math and science as taught him at West Point, preliminary to military applications. Some suggestion in the story that the captive was a soldier? Sources of Poe's knowledge can be found in a good biography. I am sure Poe was being as sound and detailed as was possible. If I can find the story I''ll look them over.
-- Anonymous, May 31, 2001
Just a lot of dead reckoning heightened by desperation. Very geometrical, concerned with defining space and time with little or no light. The slight sounds and slight glimpses are all ominous and terrifying. The room changes because of moving walls and alternate torture routines. The point is he fights against the purposeful disorientation. His main strength is what the attacks are thrown against. On the edge of despair and madness inspiration for a method of escape, quick reckoning and agonizing patience gives him more time. When all possibilites run out- an outside rescue in the nick of time.
-- Anonymous, May 31, 2001