gothic horror

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how gothic horror portrayed in the pit and the pendulum, the raven, the tell tale heart, and the fall of the house of usher? and how are elements of poe's writing style connected to all of these stories? what romantic elements are in the pit and the pendulum? thanks sooo much!!!

-- Anonymous, November 11, 2002

Answers

Fusion energy of dark cluastrophobia. Lurid, arcane or grotesque setting and violent, often sadistic events, a state of mind bordering on madness and wild perceptions beyond the normal, melancholy, fear, horrror, props of the supernatural(if not actually supernatural). The Pit and the Pendulum is set in the Napeonic wars in the torture chambersof the Inquisition. (Entertaining stuff compared to the actual horrors of that period on both sides in the Peninsular War) Much like the allegorical titillations of the Inferno whose Catholic theology is mirrored in the design of the chambers. That lurid fascination with medieval, historical depravity for the sake of the experience is coupled with the synamic tension of the Romantic hero. Mind and art versus wild abnormal mysteries and grand uncontrollable passions. Science versus the greater realms.

-- Anonymous, November 12, 2002

Napoleonic! Ah treacherous fingers.

-- Anonymous, November 12, 2002

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