“The Pit and the Pendulum”
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““The Pit and the Pendulum”The Pit and the Pendulum”
Edgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan Poe
Contextual Setting of Contextual Setting of “The Pit and the Pendulum”“The Pit and the Pendulum”
The Spanish InquisitionThe Spanish Inquisition1478 - 18341478 - 1834
The Spanish InquisitionThe Spanish InquisitionSpain had just suffered a civil war.Spain had just suffered a civil war.Queen Isabella came to rule with her Queen Isabella came to rule with her
husband King Ferdinand.husband King Ferdinand.Spain was comprised of 3 major religious Spain was comprised of 3 major religious
groups: Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim.groups: Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim.King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella
decided to unite the country under one decided to unite the country under one religion – Catholicism.religion – Catholicism.
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain
The Spanish InquisitionThe Spanish Inquisition Spanish Jews and later Muslims were forced to Spanish Jews and later Muslims were forced to
accept Christianity.accept Christianity. Most historians agree that the motivation for the Most historians agree that the motivation for the
Inquisition was greed.Inquisition was greed. The Spanish Inquisition was halted briefly in the The Spanish Inquisition was halted briefly in the
early 1800’s when Napoleon’s army invaded & early 1800’s when Napoleon’s army invaded & defeated Spain.defeated Spain.
Napoleon named his brother as Spain’s new Napoleon named his brother as Spain’s new ruler.ruler.
It lasted until 1834.It lasted until 1834.
The Spanish InquisitionThe Spanish InquisitionJews and Muslims were accused of Jews and Muslims were accused of
converting to Christianity only to save their converting to Christianity only to save their property.property.
Anyone could accuse anyone else of Anyone could accuse anyone else of heresy.heresy.
Once they were found guilty, their property Once they were found guilty, their property was confiscated.was confiscated.
They were imprisoned, tortured, and They were imprisoned, tortured, and executed.executed.
The Spanish InquisitionThe Spanish Inquisition Tomas de Torquemada, a Dominican priest, Tomas de Torquemada, a Dominican priest,
presided over thousands of trials and about two presided over thousands of trials and about two thousand burnings at the stake.thousand burnings at the stake.
Auto –da-fe literally means “act of faith” in Auto –da-fe literally means “act of faith” in Portugese.Portugese.
Torquemada would perform this religious Torquemada would perform this religious ceremony, which consisted of a Mass and death ceremony, which consisted of a Mass and death sentence, before the executions. sentence, before the executions.
15,000 to 20,000 were tried during this time.15,000 to 20,000 were tried during this time.
““The Pit and the Pendulum”The Pit and the Pendulum”The setting of the story is a Spanish prison The setting of the story is a Spanish prison
in the 1820’s. in the 1820’s. At the end of the story, General Lasalle At the end of the story, General Lasalle
and the French army enter Toledo, a city and the French army enter Toledo, a city in Spain.in Spain.
Works CitedWorks Cited ““The Inquisition: Power, Greed, and Suffering.” The Inquisition: Power, Greed, and Suffering.”
Elements of LiteratureElements of Literature. Orlando: Holt, Rhinehart, . Orlando: Holt, Rhinehart, and Winston, 2008.and Winston, 2008.
NALLE, SARA TILGHMAN. "NALLE, SARA TILGHMAN. "Inquisition, SpanishInquisition, Spanish." ." Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern WorldEarly Modern World. The Gale Group Inc. 2004. . The Gale Group Inc. 2004. Encyclopedia.com.Encyclopedia.com. 31 Mar. 2009 < 31 Mar. 2009 <http://http://www.encyclopedia.comwww.encyclopedia.com>. >.
“The Pit and the Pendulum”Literary Elements
Point of View
• 1st Person Narrative• Nameless Prisoner
Conflict
• Protagonist• Nameless Prisoner
• Antagonists• His Insanity
(Inner Conflict)• His Tormentors
(External Conflict)
Themes
• Untimely Death• Isolation• Torture• Survival
(Will to Live Vs. Desire to Die)
• Fear• Loss of Time• Persecution
Genres
• Fiction• Horror
• Gothic – Supernatural horrors and atmosphere of unknown terror; extreme
emotions (anger, fear, surprise, etc.)• Poe is given credit for being the father of
the detective story.
Style
• Use of Latin & French• Minimal use of characterization, plot, and
atmosphere• Interest in what happens to people rather
than the individual• Continually uses a male protagonist • Famous for use of suspense
Symbols
• Pit - Hell• Pendulum - Slow, approaching death; time
ticking down• Father Time – Zeus’ father, Cronus,
controller of time• Darkness – the unknown, ignorance• Rats – a potential problem turned positive• Unseen Tormentors – Personal “demons”
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