1. Numerous nineteenth-century American short story writers expressed a desire to create stories resembling dreams or nightmares. Demonstrate how "The Pit and the Pendulum" fits this description.

2. Fundamentally, the narrator's predicament in the story suggests a universal human struggle, symbolizing an everyman figure. Explain how this allegorical interpretation can be supported.

3. Despite depicting a terrifying dilemma and incorporating violent elements, the story is not as shocking as many contemporary horror films. Why is this the case?

4. The story features only one character, whose direct situation reveals him trapped in a terrifying dilemma. Describe what we can infer about his personality from his actions and discuss how he attempts to cope with his circumstances.

5. How would you describe the types of fears and anxieties the protagonist experiences? In what ways do they resemble the fears and anxieties that are common to all of us?