The Pit and the Pendulum

Front

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

Back

The main theme is the struggle between life and death, and the psychological effects of fear and torture.

Front

Who is the narrator in 'The Pit and the Pendulum'?

Back

The narrator is an unnamed prisoner who experiences extreme psychological and physical torment.

Front

What literary device is predominantly used in 'The Pit and the Pendulum'?

Back

First-person point of view, which allows readers to experience the narrator's thoughts and feelings directly.

Front

What does the pendulum symbolize in the story?

Back

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

Front

How does the narrator initially perceive his surroundings?

Back

He perceives them through touch and sound, as he is blindfolded and disoriented.

Front

What role does sensory detail play in the story?

Back

Sensory details enhance the atmosphere of fear and suspense, immersing the reader in the narrator's experience.

Front

What is the significance of the food and water provided to the narrator?

Back

It serves to prolong his suffering, as the torturers want to keep him alive for further torment.

Front

How does Edgar Allan Poe create a sense of claustrophobia in the story?

Back

Through descriptions of the dark, confined space of the prison and the narrator's limited movement.

Front

What is the effect of the repeated phrases in the story?

Back

They emphasize the narrator's emotional state and heighten the sense of dread.

Front

What does the darkness represent in 'The Pit and the Pendulum'?

Back

The darkness represents ignorance, fear, and the unknown aspects of death.