Literary Analysis Essay Prompts
Here are your three essay options. Please choose a prompt that you are able to
answer completely.
Option 1: The Pit and the Pendulum
Edgar Allen Poe is known for his use of horror in his stories. One genre of horror
stories is Gothic literature. Gothic literature deals with darkness, extremes
(extreme heights and depth), the supernatural, the grotesque (distortion of
nature; ugliness; deformity), and the twisting of the mind and imagination.
How does The Pit and the Pendulum fit the Gothic genre?
Option 2: An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
In An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, Peyton Farquhar faces his final moments of
life by fanaticizing about his escape from the Union Army and his return home.
How does Ambrose Bierce use descriptive language in An Occurrence at Owl Creek
Bridge?
Option 3: Both Stories
Both The Pit and the Pendulum and An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge depict
characters that face death and an escape from their situation. Compare and
contrast both stories based on how each deals with death and freedom from
peril.
For your outline, you will need to include your thesis statement, main points and
how you plan to justify them, and conclusion. It needs to be in list format and
does not have to be typed.
Your outline is due on April 28th at the beginning of class.