illustration of a blade on the end of a pendulum swinging above a man's head

The Pit and the Pendulum

by Edgar Allan Poe

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The Pit and the Pendulum

In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Pit and the Pendulum," the narrator is imprisoned by the Spanish Inquisition, though his specific crime remains unknown. Initially, he is in a semi-conscious, delirious...

16 educator answers

The Pit and the Pendulum

The narrator in "The Pit and the Pendulum" is sentenced to death, initially reacting with dread and fear. Upon awakening in darkness, he fears being entombed, which causes him to faint. He later...

2 educator answers

The Pit and the Pendulum

In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Pit and the Pendulum," the narrator experiences intense fear and curiosity as he navigates his imprisonment by the Inquisition. Initially terrified by the darkness and the...

3 educator answers

The Pit and the Pendulum

The narrator’s struggles and thoughts throughout the story convey at least two beliefs about human nature. First, the narrator exemplifies that humans will cling to hope even in the most impossible...

1 educator answer

The Pit and the Pendulum

The narrator's strengths against the inquisitors include his curiosity, cleverness, and determination. His curiosity helps him maintain sanity by focusing on measuring his cell, while his cleverness...

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The Pit and the Pendulum

The narrator's survival is attributed to his curiosity, logic, and problem-solving skills. He remains observant, using his senses to understand his surroundings and devise strategies to navigate his...

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The Pit and the Pendulum

The narrator displays bravery through resilience and calm logic in the face of torture by the Spanish Inquisition. Despite being subjected to terrifying ordeals like darkness, a descending pendulum,...

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The Pit and the Pendulum

The narrator is a dynamic character in Poe's short story because he undergoes change throughout the plot. He is first very fearful and timid, but then becomes courageous and gains the strength to...

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The Pit and the Pendulum

The narrator loses consciousness four times in "The Pit and the Pendulum." Initially, he swoons after imagining a death sentence while facing the judges. He faints again upon awakening in darkness,...

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The Pit and the Pendulum

Poe characterizes the narrator as intelligent, resourceful, and proactive. Despite facing horrific circumstances, he remains rational and explores his prison, demonstrating curiosity and a refusal to...

2 educator answers