Edgar Allan Poe frequently explores the theme of the divided self, particularly evident in his story “William Wilson.” This narrative embodies the inner conflict often depicted in his works, presenting a stark illustration of a personality split in two. Poe intricately intertwines the fates of the two characters by giving them the same name, William Wilson, as well as identical physical traits and histories. This mirroring of identities suggests that they are not merely doubles or twins, but rather different facets of a singular self.

The narrative invites readers to ponder the roles these two characters play within the psyche of the protagonist. Poe's choice of epigraph provides crucial insight: “What say of it? what say [of] CONSCIENCE grim,/ That spectre in my path?” This quote implies that the second William Wilson embodies the protagonist’s conscience. Appearing like an apparition, he symbolizes the moral compass, which, due to its subtle nature, is depicted as speaking only in a low whisper. This choice of voice underscores its role as a gentle, yet insistent, presence that guides the protagonist’s actions. Notably, no other character in the story perceives this spectral figure, reinforcing its existence as an internal rather than external force.

In the tale of William Wilson, a duality exists between the spiritual and the earthly selves, each vying for dominance within a single individual. The second William Wilson, representing the spiritual or heavenly aspect, serves as a moral compass for the narrator. This inner voice strives to temper the earthly desires for pleasure, power, and material conquest, which characterize the narrator's mundane existence. As long as this spiritual presence remains intact, the narrator's misdeeds are limited to relatively minor sins such as drinking, swearing, and cheating at cards.

However, the balance between these two facets is precarious. When the spiritual self is ultimately destroyed, the narrator is left soulless, and the consequences are grave. This loss precipitates a "sudden elevation in turpitude," marking the narrator's descent into more egregious criminal acts. The story portrays a civil war within the self, where the physical eventually overpowers the spiritual. Yet, this apparent victory comes at a significant cost—the forfeiture of eternal life. The demise of the spiritual self not only extinguishes any hope of an afterlife but also leaves the earthly self unchecked, spiraling into moral decay and existential emptiness.