Gothic Themes In The Raven By Edgar Allen Poe

Gothic literature became prominent between the 1750s to the 1850s.Recurring themes include superstition, moral confusion, and whether or not man could trust himself. Edgar Allen Poe was born in 1809 and died in 1849. He was adopted by a rich merchant named, John Allen. He was known to have a drinking problem and was frequently losing jobs because of it. His poem, “The Raven” published in 1845 was one of his most famous work. The narrator has a cat named Pluto, whom he loved dearly. He begins drinking and become violent until one day he kills the cat. The narrator is convinced that the cat is out for revenge. Poe’s “Black Cat” is one of the best examples of Gothic literature because it incorporates many Gothic themes. One of the Gothic themes used in this story is superstition. “At such times, although I longed to destroy it with a blow I was yet withheld from so doing...by absolute dread of the beast.” The more affectionate the cat got to the narrator the more he hated him. He dared not hurt it in fear that it was the reincarnation of Pluto. “Upon Its head, with its red extended mouth and solitary eye of fire, sat the hideous beast, whose …show more content…
“Their is something in the unselfish and self sacrificing love of a brute, which goes directly to the heart of him who has had frequented occasion to the test of the paltry friendship and gossamer fidelity of man.” The narrator believes that humans are inferior to animals. He believes animals are truly loyal unlike man whose definition of loyalty is a sham. “I experienced a sentiment half of horror, half of remorse, for the crime of which I had been guilty; but it was at best, feeble and equivocal feeling, and the soul remained untouched.” The narrator professed to value animal life above all else, yet he feels no guilt for hurting Pluto. He sees Pluto as his best friend yet he hurt him and people usually don't hurt friends on purpose unless they truly are