Essay On Dark Romanticism

In the late nineteenth century, the newly independent country of America was developing a unique literary identity; it was during this time period that dark romanticism thrived. A prime example of this type of writing can be found in Edgar Allan Poe’s The Pit and the Pendulum. In one of Poe’s most frightening tales, the narrator, who has been sent to death by the Spanish Inquisition, narrowly escapes his demise multiple times. Through its exploitation of themes such as the negative side of human nature and madness, Edgar Allan Poe’s The Pit and the Pendulum can be considered an example of dark romanticism. Transcendentalist writers, who were thriving at the same time as the dark romantics, often found their inspiration for their literary works through various forms of nature, religion, and the idea of independence. However, dark romantics preferred to focus on the darker side of human nature. A dark romantic writer, such as Edgar Allan Poe, often focused his writings on Original Sin and the evils of human beings. These literary works often included themes such as madness and the bad side of human nature. The Pit and the Pendulum focuses on a man who has been tried and put to death by the Spanish …show more content…
One of the first instances where we see the narrator’s slowly developing insanity can be found in the first few pages of the text. Before he even opens his eyes, the narrator tries to recall what happened to him before he was placed in the dungeon; the fact that he cannot remember irritates him. Another example is when he finally does open his eyes and sees that the dungeon is completely dark. This realization of his worst fear adds to the growing madness. The final instance can be found when the pendulum is slowly descending on him. As the pendulum is only inches above him, the narrator tries to speed up the process by bringing himself closer to the swinging