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Post by wireman on Aug 23, 2023 9:22:01 GMT
The discussion for today is The Pit And The Pendulum by Edgar Allen Poe
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Post by wireman on Aug 23, 2023 9:42:26 GMT
A harrowing tale of a prisoner being tortured by the Inquisition although Poe changes the time frame. The pendulum is horrific device that allows the narrator plenty of time to reflect on his impending death. There's really not much set up with this story. The narrator is the only character through most of the story (the captors are never seen, only spoken of) and other than a brief description of a trial, is being tortured or contemplating what is coming next throughout the entire story. As if that isn't enough, throw in some rats.  And in an unusual Poe twist, the narrator is rescued at the end. The story is more about the severe mental torture the narrator is going through waiting for his slow death rather than physical torture.
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Post by osnafrank on Aug 23, 2023 15:42:52 GMT
One of the best Short Stories ever written. (Just my two cents)
I`ve read it several times, in German and english.
It keeps you in the grip of horror while the tension mounts relentlessly,
you can almost hear the sound of the pendulum.
Poe masterfully keeps his reader on the edge of his seat,
holding his breath, anxiously waiting for the main character's fate.
Everyone (well, at least me) expected the prisoner
to die, that makes the ending just perfect
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Post by wireman on Aug 23, 2023 16:35:05 GMT
One of the best Short Stories ever written. (Just my two cents)
I`ve read it several times, in German and english.
It keeps you in the grip of horror while the tension mounts relentlessly,
you can almost hear the sound of the pendulum.
Poe masterfully keeps his reader on the edge of his seat,
holding his breath, anxiously waiting for the main character's fate.
Everyone (well, at least me) expected the prisoner
to die, that makes the ending just perfect |
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Post by spideyman on Aug 23, 2023 17:21:22 GMT
Agree with both above posts. Poe at his best. Read it eons ago and was glad to re read and enjoy the suspense.On first read was truly waiting for the prison to die. Wow factor when he did not. Excellent short story.
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Post by wireman on Aug 24, 2023 17:13:14 GMT
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Post by osnafrank on Aug 24, 2023 17:18:58 GMT
Awesome 
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Post by wolf on Aug 24, 2023 18:42:56 GMT
The Pit and the Pendulum!   ❤️
“Psych!” 😝
- Love Edgar
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Post by wolf on Aug 24, 2023 18:43:38 GMT
Awesome |
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And in an unusual Poe twist, the narrator is rescued at the end. The story is more about the severe mental torture the narrator is going through waiting for his slow death rather than physical torture. 
❤️