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The Pit and the Pendulum

by Edgar Allan Poe

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Student Question

What appears in quantities of 7 in "The Pit and the Pendulum"?

Quick answer:

In "The Pit and the Pendulum," the number seven appears in reference to seven tall candles observed by the narrator during his trial. Initially, the candles seem like angels that might save him, but he soon feels nauseous and loses consciousness. This mention of the number seven occurs at the beginning of the story and is the only instance of it being referenced.

Expert Answers

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At the beginning, when he is being questioned by the judges, he mentions that there were seven tall candles in the room:

"And then my vision fell upon the seven tall candles upon the table. At first they wore the aspect of charity, and seemed white and slender angels who would save me."

He ponders these candles, hoping that they are angels coming to rescue him from his predicament, but then feels incredibly nauseous and passes out.  He wakes in the torture chamber, and realizes that he has probably been drugged.  That is the only mentioning of the number seven in the story-right at the beginning, in regards to the candles in the room.  I hope that helps!

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