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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Student Question

What do the narrator's struggles in "The Pit and the Pendulum" reveal about Poe's views on human nature?

Quick answer:

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 circumstances. Second, his actions indicate the willingness of humans to manipulate other creatures to serve their own needs, without regard for the outcome of those creatures.

Expert Answers

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I would argue that "The Pit and the Pendulum" demonstrates at least two beliefs about human nature.

First, the narrator's struggle exemplifies hope, even in the most impossible of circumstances. He has been captured by the Inquisition (presumably the Spanish Inquisition, infamous for the quite severe forms of torture they employed) and believes that he is about to be sliced by a large blade that swings over him. As it gets increasingly closer, he "dare[s] not go further" in his mind than to consider that the blade might fray his robe. Instead, he begins to desperately formulate a plan for his escape. Indeed, the word hope is used ten times in this short story and becomes more frequent as the narrator begins approximating how many swings of the pendulum remain before it makes contact with his clothing. He realizes that he has no "business ... with hope" yet...

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he also "struggle[s] to perfect—to regain it." This unbelievable surge of hope is the fuel for an escape plan that actually works. The narrator's desire to live, despite nearly impossible odds and an almost certain death, demonstrates that the human spirit has an innate desire to overcome even the most incredible obstacles.

The narrator's escape plan also demonstrates humanity's desire to rule over all other creatures. The narrator could not have escaped without the assistance of the rats. He fails to recognize them as living creatures who are worthy of life; instead, he focuses on their "ravenous" eyes, convinced that they are one more force in his world that must be overcome. After manipulating the rats to free him, the narrator waves his hand and watches his "deliverers hurr[y] tumultuously away." Yet what becomes of these rats? What is their eventual fate? The narrator neither cares nor questions their outcome. Instead, he employs the creatures for his own benefit and sees them as a dispensable part of his environment.

The short story therefore exemplifies the human spirit's determination to survive and its willingness to manipulate other creatures in order to do so.

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