Edgar Allen Poe Narrative

Edgar Allen Poe Narrative

Authors use forms of syntax, diction, imagery, tone, and argument to illustrate the point and feel that they want to get across to the reader. In this narrative, Edgar Allen Poe uses elements in his narrative to argue that although what he has experienced might not be so horrible in another’s eyes, it has destroyed him. He uses syntax and diction to describe the rest of his narrative, and to reinforce his statements, which seems to contrast another when he states that this narrative will be ‘wild, homely, and terrible’- giving the reader a feel of exaggeration- but also he states that what he says will be ‘plain and succinct’- the truth. There is a sign of insecurity, confusion, and disbelief in this passage, from the author himself, as he states that he does not expect anyone to believe what he says for even his own “senses reject their own evidence”. This idea is expanded upon in the third sentence as Poe use specific styles of syntax to illustrate his own disbelief. Two styles are seen when he states “Yet, mad am I not- and surely do I not dream”. Poe constructs the wording of this sentence backwards- instead of I am not mad, it’s mad am I not- showing a contradiction to what the sentence says. Wording the sentence backwards makes the reader think the opposite of what the sentence actually says; he is mad, he is dreaming. Signs of disbelief are again shown by this unique sentence structuring for when you read the sentence, it sounds more like a question than a statement- do I not dream? Poe’s use of syntax and diction continues on as he illustrates how his unbelievable horrors might just seem normal to a more ‘calm and logical person’. The whole style of the passage, although showing the contradiction of Poe saying the narrative to be horrific to him stating that it might be “baroque” to normal people, gives the reader a feel that Poe isn’t normal. This whole style of writing the passage captures the reader’s attention in the beginning but settles them down at the end with logical appeals making them believe to Poe’s argument.

Explicit imagery is shown as Poe pops out abstruse adjectives which give the readers a personal slide show of the possible horrors that tormented him. The first line gives an image of something that is unbelievable and horrible. The following sentences makes Poe look like a mental case for he’s experienced events that even his “senses reject evidence”; he doesn’t even know if he is mad or if he is dreaming; evidence of his past is a blur, and it makes the reader view him as a trauma case; someone that is not normal. Although the images of Poe being mental and abnormal stays, his is demystified a bit when he presents logic in saying that others might not see his experiences as being so horrible. The crazy images settle down a bit towards the end of the passage, setting the reader up for the idea that he is not a normal person (which will soon help in his argument).

The tone and feel of the narrative is often strange, for he was a strange man.