"The Pit and the Pendulum" is a story written by Edgar Allan Poe, and it was published in 1842. It is a dark story set in the time of the Inquisition, a period that really does seem to be one that Poe would be inspired by.
Without really spoiling the story, which is quite short, it is really an intense narrative that carefully describes the very horrific circumstances that the protagonist has been placed in. The opening scene is in complete darkness, and that is related surprisingly well. Not an easy thing to do in writing.
The description of the latter mentioned pendulum and how it is presented in the story is very spooky without sounding as if it is supernatural. It all sounds very real but done in a way to take a man's mind out of a reasonable world. It's all about the torture of the mind as a man tries to escape from what constantly appears to be an impossible situation.
One thing that kind of surprised me here was that there was more of a positive ending. I would not call it an outright good ending, but it was higher on the positive scale than I normally see in his stories. But I won't say exactly what happens.
"The Pit and the Pendulum" is easily one of Poe's best works. It's worth your time. I completely recommend it.
This blog was written on June 6, 2022.
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It was PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR before the theme even had a term. It played with the mind of the reader as the torturers played with the mind of the protagonist, our representative.
ReplyDeleteYeah, and it works really well in words. I got really into it.
DeleteI remember reading this in my youth and being freaked out by the situation. Definitely one of Poe's best. The impending doom is well described and engrossing.
ReplyDeleteMust have been an experience to read this when you were young. I didn't read any horror until just recently.
DeleteThe darkness would drive one mad, as the anticipation continued to build. Our minds play cruel tricks, imagining the blade is about to strike when it is not quite there. The helplessness would be overwhelming.
ReplyDeletePhycological horror works because it would actually work in real life as well.
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