How "The Pit and the Pendulum" Reflects the Romanticism Era

Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Pit and the Pendulum” is a good example of a story written during the Romanticism Era.  This period in literature took place approximately 1780 to 1850 (“The Spanish Inquisition”).  There are several traits that are considered to be a focus of this age of literature.  One such trait is that imagination and emotion are more important than reason and formal rules (Smith, D.).  The second is that is value the “common man” and shows a respect for nature (Smith, D.).  Third, Romantics were interested in the medieval past, the supernatural, the mystical, the “gothic,” and the exotic (Smith, D.).  Also, writers during this time were attracted to rebellion and revolution, especially concerned with human rights, individualism, and freedom from oppression (Smith, D.).  Finally, a large amount of emphasis was placed on emphasis on introspection, psychology, melancholy, and sadness (Smith, D.).  Works during this time often dealt with death (Smith, D.).  Several of these characteristics of the time period can be seen in Poe’s story. 

The first way in which “The Pit and the Pendulum” resembles Romanticism Era literature is that it used the Spanish Inquisition in the plot.  The Spanish Inquisition began in the late fifteenth century, just as the Medieval Era was about to end (“Introduction”).  While Poe’s story may have taken place in 1808 (Poe 273), it can still serve as a reference to what began centuries earlier. 

Edgar Allan Poe also would occasionally indicate the supernatural in his writing.  In the story, the narrator told the reader that he envisioned the seven candles on a table to be angels (Poe 263-264).  He said that the inquisitors had demon eyes (Poe 272) and were the “most demoniac of men” (Poe 273) Furthermore, the narrator also would often mention his soul, which, of course, would be considered spiritual (Poe 263, 264, 265, 268, 273). 

While it is not the best example ever, Poe also used a little bit of rebellion in this story.  Just when the narrator was about to be killed by the giant swinging pendulum, he jumped out of the way (Poe 272), thus rebelling against the inevitable punishment and momentarily saving his life. 

In addition, Poe had the narrator spend lots of time reflecting on several events.  He contemplated on the similarities and differences between consciousness and unconsciousness (Poe 271).  He would ponder thoughts of death perhaps being peaceful (Poe 264) while still not wanting to die (Poe 272).  Practically the entire time that the narrator was in the dungeon, he was reflecting on one occurrence or another. 

Clearly melancholy was another theme which was used.  The narrator was switching between consciousness and unconsciousness after hearing that he was sentenced to death (Poe 264). As one author wrote, “This pattern of moving in and out of consciousness is much like the pattern in ‘Ligeia’ and is typical of Poe, for in such an alternating state consciousness has some of the characteristics of unconsciousness and vice versa; one state is imbued with the qualities of the other state. As a result, Poe's stories are neither solely like the consciousness of realism, nor the projective unconsciousness of romance” (May, Charles).  The narrator would become so overwhelmed that it is difficult to tell if he is in a state of sensibility of not.  It is sad how he would try to feel his way around the dungeon and later how he would avert his death only to realize that a worse one awaited him (Poe 273).  “Death, I said, any death but that of the pit! (Poe 273)” The fact that there was despair in the story is not a surprise since the setting is a convicted man awaiting his death in a dungeon.  

Finally, the theme of death is used without ever actually occurring.  The narrator may still be alive at the end of the story (Poe 273), but the ever looming threat of death was always lurking.  Just when it seemed that he had escaped death by the pendulum, he is about to be forced down the pit (Poe 273). 

Edgar Allan Poe wrote “The Pit and the Pendulum” with several traits reflecting the Romanticism Era.  It referenced an aspect of the late Medieval Era, the supernatural, rebellion, and introspection.  Themes of melancholy and death, or at least the threat of death, were also put into use in this story.  This being said, it seems safe to say that “The Pit and the Pendulum” was written with the Romantic writing style.

Works Cited

"Introduction." Medieval Era. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2012. <http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/markport/lit/introlit/medieval.htm>.

May, Charles. "Dreams and Reality in the Story." Bloom's Literary Reference Online. N.p., 1991. Web. 05 Nov. 2012. <http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= BMSSEP39&SingleRecord=True>.

Smith, D. "Characteristics of Romantic Literature." N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2012. <www.odessa.edu/dept/english/dsmith/rom.lit.char.pdf>.

"The Spanish Inquisition." DonQuijote. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2012. <http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/history/inquisition.asp>.