Front

What is the main setting of 'The Pit and the Pendulum'?

Back

The story is set in a dark, oppressive prison cell with a circular pit and a pendulum.

Front

What does the pendulum symbolize in the story?

Back

The pendulum symbolizes the passage of time and the inevitability of death.

Front

What is the significance of the circular pit in the story?

Back

The circular pit represents the unknown and the fear of falling into despair.

Front

How does the narrator initially feel about his situation?

Back

The narrator feels intense fear and confusion as he tries to understand his surroundings.

Front

What method does the narrator use to escape from his bonds?

Back

He smears meat on the bonds, which attracts rats that chew through them.

Front

Who ultimately saves the narrator at the end of the story?

Back

The narrator is saved by a French general.

Front

What literary technique does Poe use to create suspense?

Back

Poe creates suspense by describing the narrator's distress and uncertainty.

Front

What role do the rats play in the story?

Back

The rats symbolize the narrator's desperation and the hope for escape.

Front

How does the setting contribute to the mood of the story?

Back

The dark and claustrophobic setting enhances the feelings of fear and hopelessness.

Front

What is the climax of 'The Pit and the Pendulum'?

Back

The climax occurs when the pendulum descends towards the narrator, creating a moment of intense suspense.