Edgar Allen Poe Analytical Essay - 2208 Words

When looking at a piece of literature through a psychological approach it is easy to apply Sigmund Freud’s theories of the id, ego, and superego, which focus on conscious and unconscious behavior. When analyzing many of Poe’s works, critics tend to look through a psychological lens. Specifically in Poe’s The Black Cat. Some critics believe that Poe’s alcoholism is reflected in the piece, but many, such as James W. Gargano â€Å"advised the tales readers to avoid the biographical pitfall of seeing Poe and the first-person narrator of The Black Cat as ‘identical literary twins’† (Piacentino 1). It is due to his childhood that Poe’s narrator in The Black Cat subconsciously places animals before humans, thus leading to him to murder his wife.†¦show more content†¦Freud interpreted these theories, and came up with his own theory that â€Å"intrapsychic conflicts (conflicts with in the individual) between basic biological urg es and societal standards lead to abnormal behavior† (Bruce 2). Sigmund Freud’s theories are relevant because subconsciously Poe’s narrator in The Black Cat has suppressed his negative feelings toward humans. It is this precise unconscious thinking that Freud bases human nature upon. Understanding how ones mind works is important in order to analyze ones actions. This is important in The Black Cat because very early on the narrator reveals his overwhelming love for animals, and how he places them before humans. When the narrator relays the story the reader learns that he is awaiting execution for the murder of his wife (Piacentino 2). French critic Gerard Genette who specializes in the study of narrative theory notes â€Å"narration always says less than it knows, but it often makes known more then it says† (Piacentino 2). This is true of the autobiographical narrative of The Black Cat. The narrator is trying to present himself as a calm man with self cont rol, however the more he talks the more he leaks his insanity. He offers rationalizations for his past actions, and facts about his childhood. The narrator, by the end of the story, has revealed himself to be a vicious and violent abuser of animals and people alike. HeShow MoreRelatedEssay about Edgar Allen Poe, Father of Modern Detective Fiction919 Words   |  4 PagesE.A. Poe became the father of modern day detective stories by introducing Dupin in The Murders in the Rue Morgue as the first detective to use analytical and imaginative reasoning to solve the mystery and will create a guideline for all detective stories to come. The word detective was not in existence until Poes writings. Mysteries had existed but never such a story that used a detector or placed such emphasis upon analysis versus trial and error. The vivid painting of the scene of theRead MoreAn Analysis Of Fall Of The House Of Usher By Joyce Carol Oates941 Words   |  4 PagesSetting: Important or Not? 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