Horror and Trauma in Edgar Allan Poe’s Short-Stories through the lens of Psychology and Literature
Edgar Allan Poe’s stories are known for their gothic elements of murder, horror and insanity. Some of these stories are characterized by unstable central characters and their unwitting victims. This presentation will examine two of Poe’s short stories: “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Cask of Amontillado,” specifically analyzing the protagonists and the victims. The marked similarity between the protagonists will be highlighted by showing Poe’s use of both an unreliable narrator and focalization in his stories, as well as his use of conflicting facts within the text. These uses of literary techniques engage the reader and form the catalyst that propels the stories from merely disturbing to hauntingly gripping. In the second half of this presentation, psychological theorems of trauma, captivity, and Betrayal Trauma will be used to elucidate the emotional state of being in which the victims find themselves. In addition, the psychological state of the victims post facto will be examined using current psychological research. Future directions for research will also be addressed, including examining Poe’s tumultuous life and how it affected his writings.
ENG 499 & PSY 499, Capstone
James Watson/Mary Ann Winter-Messiers
SPS 100
2:30 – 3:30 PM