The Raven Research Paper

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Edgar Allen Poe had three common elements in his writings of death, taking place at night, and alcoholism. In the stories I have chosen they share the element of death, Edgar Allen Poe uses death to provide dramatic effect for the reader and to create his plot line. The second element I have compared is taking place at night and in the dark, this provides a eerie feeling for the reader. The last element is alcoholism that is used in multiple of Poe’s stories, alcoholism creates drama for the reader.

In these stories the common theme of death was used. In the story, “The Raven” a man was haunted by the death of his companion and could not get over the loss of her. An example of his heartache caused by death from the story is “From my books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore.” In the story, “The cask of Amontillado” the main character, Montresor is insulted by another man named Fortunato. Montresor lures Fortunato to his catacombs and buries him alive. In the story it says “For the half of the century no mortal has …show more content…

In the story “The black Cat” the main character is depressed which causes him to abuse alcohol. His animals start to stay away from him and it upsets him. I know he is an alcoholic because in the story it says, “One night, returning home, much intoxicated, from one of my haunts about town, I fancied that the cat avoided my presence.” In the story, “Hop-Frog” the king is drunk and insults him by throwing alcohol on Hop-Frog’s friend. In the story I know the element of alcoholism is used because it says, “Come, drink! the wine will brighten your wits.” In the story “The Cask of Amontillado” alcoholism is a large factor in Montresor’s plan to get back at Fortunato for insulting him. He takes advantage of Fortunato’s drunk self and buried him alive. I know that alcoholism is used because in the story it says, “He accosted me with excessive warmth, for he had been drinking

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