The Pit and the Pendulum Questions
BEWARE: You have to read EVERYTHING on this sheet to get your questions and (maybe)
answers. You know I'm tricky like that, so skipping over stuff is probably not in your best
interest.
As you know, you will be writing a suspense narrative of your own. We have already worked
on Methods of Suspense (and will come back to that shortly). Now, you're also going to look
at structure as well - specifically how the author creates tension and that "creepy"
atmosphere.
Writers can create tension by plopping the reader into the middle of the story. What is going
on at the beginning of the story? How, and why, would Poe pop you into the middle of the
guy's trial? How does this choice create tension?
What does it mean that the voices turn into an "indeterminate hum"?
When Poe describes the trial judges he uses some serious imagery. What images, in your
opinion, are especially creepy? How/why?
The time of the prisoner's execution is announced while the reader is trapped in the
character's vision. Is Poe using a particular method of suspense here? Which one? Is it
effective? If no, would this have been a good time to use one of the 5? If so, which one?
Why?
Is the character "lucid" when he is being taken from the courtroom? How do you know this?
Be SPECIFC
When the character "regains" consciousness, what new details are provided to describe the
his situation? (Be specific)
What is Poe implying when he describes the "tumultuous motion" of the character's heart?
He speaks of being afraid to open his eyes because he is afraid of either what he will see or
seeing nothing. Which is more unsettling and why?
Why would Poe not want the reader to know what the character's surroundings look like?
The character makes deductions about his fate and his fainting. How does this add to the
the tension of the story?
What is the character's reasoning behind rejecting the "supposition" that he is dead?
At this point, what other tasks might be "insuperable" for the character? Also, when the
character explain his exhaustion has caused him "to remain prostrate" what is this telling
you about the character state? Why would it be important to know this?
There is an atmosphere of terror surrounding the discovery of the pit. Which sensory details
are most effective and why?
Now that the character (and the reader) are able to see the surroundings, does that alter
the "creepy" effect? How? Why?
One way a writer can create that creepy atmosphere is by describing the surroundings in
detail. Word choice when doing this is key-you want to exploiting a word's connotation when
ever possible. Which words that Poe chose have an overly "creepy" or strong horror
related connotation?
Poe plays with withholding info when he is describing the prison and the character
What is the benefit of doing this in this order?
Throughout the story, the reader never knows why the character has been imprisoned and
sentenced to death other than that he is a "bold recusant" or heretic. What, if any, is the
effect of not knowing? Why?
Why is it important the pendulum is cutting the robe with a "pernacity of attention"?
What is the effect of the pendulum dropping down on the character - to the character?
What is the effect of the pendulum dropping down on the character - to the reader?
Why would Poe reveal the character's thoughts about using the pendulum to cut the ropes
which are binding him? What effect does this have?
The character's mood suddenly shifts and he acts as if he has hope, yet the reader does not
know what has caused this sudden shift. Why would Poe feel it important to not reveal the
character's plan?
The scene with the rats can be described as something particularly creepy. How does Poe
make this scene uncomfortable? What are some of the sensory details which are particularly
effective?
Poe becomes intentionally vague in his descriptions of the room at this point Why would
this be? Which sensory details best convey the action? How would this scene have been
different had he explicitly explained what was happening?
What is the effect of the ending? Is the protagonist really rescued or is it happening in his
mind? How doe you know?
What would the character "avert" his eyes before he falls?
Now that the story is over, go back and find at least one example of where Poe utilizes the
methods of suspense. Remember: there are 5 and you need to find at least one example
of each.