Dark Romanticism In Edgar Allen Poe's 'Ligeia'

Subjectivity

Another characteristic of dark romanticism found in "Ligeia" is subjectivity. All Poe's stories were written in the first person narration. Poe's way to shorten the distance and to get closer to the reader is by using first person voice. When the distance is close, the reader get all events and information from the narrator. So, the only source of information presented was by the narrator . It is impassible to considers the work not subjective since it built on the subjectivity of the narrator. The events and information was narrated by the narrator who went through the events by himself. This gave the narrator credibility and reliability. Since "Ligeia" was written in first person narration the only source the work …show more content…
For example, the critics who adapted a supernatural view had their explanation of what really happened in revivification scene. As Terry Heller's has suggested," The epigraph asserts that the will is mysterious, that God is a great Will pervading all things, and that man dies only because his will is not strong enough to keep him in life. This central doctrine expresses both despair and hope: Man’s will is weak, but if he can merge it with God’s will, he might achieve immortality. On this literal and supernatural level, Ligeia succeeds in strengthening her will. She continues her existence beyond the death of her own body and takes a second body, that of the innocent Rowena"(n.p), so, according to his interpretation ,people could control the forces of life, That they can manipulate death according to their wishes and the only way in securing that is by having a strong will. This what Ligeia believed according to what the narrator witness of the supernatural phenomena in revival of Ligeia is happened because her strong and according to her doctrine in life. But, according to other critics, they suggested that it was the unconscious of the narrator and deep desire of wanting to get rid of his wife . It is not the will of ligeia but …show more content…
In any work of dark romanticism had characters do not represent other people or mankind. These characters have unique features of their own. They commit acts considered odd, unusual or posses aspects in them makes them special to the point they are incomparable. In "Ligeia", the characters involved in the work were three Ligeia, the narrator and Rowena. Ligeia considered a unique character since she posse a different qualities makes her different from typical women. She is unique in many ways, Such as, her name, physical appearance, mentality and beauty. According to Daryl E. Jones, Poe's work named after the heroine and the narrator first wife which is a unique name. Ligeia name was taken from a mythology creature. A siren, a beautiful creature like a mermaid seduce the sailors of the ships and leads them to a dangerous sees and drawn them. These creatures were characterized by their seductive, musical low voice and chanted beauty. According to this myth Ligeia was a name belongs to one of these creatures(34). This selection of name shown unusual and rare choice for a name which make the character unique. Another aspect could be contributed to Ligeia uniqueness is her physical appearance. She was described by the narrator in long paragraphs. For example, she was a tall, slim, with light steps when she walks like a shadow, her low sweet voice which plays