The Pit and the Pendulum
1. What is the narrator’s state of mind as the story opens? How does it change throughout the story?
2. What point of view is used and why is it particularly effective for this story?
3. In what way could this story be considered a study in the horror of the unknown?
4. Describe the narrator’s exploration of the dungeon. Why did he explore it?
5. Explain how he calculated the distance around the dungeon. What mistake did he make in his calculations?
6. What did he discover when he fell?
7. What kind of punishment did he assume he was to suffer?
8. Describe the movement of the pendulum.
9. What was his plan regarding the rats? Did it work?
10. What was the last problem to be overcome?
11. Which was greater—his mental or physical suffering?
12. Describe the final outcome
1. The narrator's state of mind at the beginning of the story is one of confusion and disorientation. He struggles to make sense of his surroundings, as he finds himself in a dark and unknown place. As the story progresses, his state of mind becomes increasingly fearful and panicked, as he realizes the imminent danger he is in.
2. The story is told from a first-person point of view, which allows the reader to experience the intense fear and anxiety of the narrator directly. This perspective is particularly effective for a horror story, as it creates a sense of immediacy and personal connection with the protagonist.
3. This story can be considered a study in the horror of the unknown because the narrator is constantly faced with uncertain and terrifying circumstances. He is kept in the dark about his captor's intent and the nature of the dungeon, which amplifies his fear and anxiety.
4. The narrator explores the dungeon out of desperation to find an escape or some form of understanding about his situation. He navigates the dark and unfamiliar space in a desperate attempt to find some semblance of hope or a way to survive.
5. To calculate the distance around the dungeon, the narrator measures his steps and walks in a straight line until he makes a complete circle. However, he mistakenly assumes that his steps are equal in length and does not account for discrepancies caused by the uneven floor, throwing off his calculations.
6. When the narrator falls, he discovers that the floor of the dungeon is made of a deep, pit-like hole, which he nearly falls into. This further intensifies his fear and adds to his uncertainty about what other horrors lie in the dungeon.
7. The narrator assumes that he is to suffer some form of physical punishment due to his captivity, but he does not know the specifics until later in the story. He only knows that it is a terrifying fate that awaits him.
8. The pendulum in the story is a large, razor-sharp blade that is slowly descending from the ceiling towards the narrator's body. The movement of the pendulum becomes increasingly faster and more menacing, creating a sense of impending doom and adding to the horror of the situation.
9. The narrator's plan regarding the rats was to use the meat from his food to attract them and hopefully distract them from reaching him. However, the rats become overwhelmed by their hunger and eventually turn on him, attacking and biting him instead.
10. The last problem the narrator had to overcome was escaping the dungeon before the walls closed in on him and crushed him.
11. Both his mental and physical suffering are depicted as significant in the story. The mental suffering is evident through the narrator's constant fear and terror, while the physical suffering is shown through his wounds, injuries, and near-death experiences.
12. The final outcome of the story is that the narrator is unexpectedly saved from his imminent death by the French army, who have arrived to liberate the prisoners. He is rescued and brought to safety, ultimately surviving his horrific ordeal.
1. At the beginning of the story, the narrator is in a state of extreme fear and anxiety. He is disoriented and confused, not knowing where he is or how he ended up in the dungeon. Throughout the story, his state of mind fluctuates as he experiences various horrors and confronts his impending death. At times, he is filled with despair and hopelessness, while at other times he displays resilience and determination to survive.
2. The story is written in first-person point of view, which means the events are narrated by the protagonist himself. This perspective is effective for this story because it allows the reader to experience the narrator's thoughts, emotions, and perceptions directly. It creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, enhancing the reader's engagement with the horrors and suspense of the story.
3. This story can be considered a study in the horror of the unknown because the narrator is constantly subjected to terrifying and uncertain circumstances. He has no knowledge of why he is being punished or what his fate will be. The unknown elements of the dungeon, the motives of his captors, and the nature of his torment all contribute to the sense of horror and dread that pervades the story.
4. The narrator explores the dungeon in order to familiarize himself with the environment and to possibly find a way to escape or survive. He wants to understand his surroundings and gather any clues or resources that might aid him in his struggle.
5. The narrator calculates the distance around the dungeon by measuring his footsteps and estimating the circumference of the cell. However, his calculations turn out to be incorrect because he mistakenly assumed that the shape of the dungeon was a perfect circle when in reality it was closer to an irregular shape.
6. When the narrator falls, he discovers that he has narrowly escaped falling into a deep pit in the center of the dungeon. The pit is filled with darkness and unknown dangers, intensifying his fear and desperation.
7. The narrator assumes that he is to suffer some form of torturous punishment, possibly death by hanging from the pendulum that he sees swinging above him. He anticipates a slow and agonizing death, as he is unable to escape the confines of the dungeon.
8. The pendulum in the story swings back and forth slowly, descending closer and closer to the narrator's body as it moves. It is razor-sharp and gradually lowers with each pass, intended to eventually slice through him. The constant motion and impending doom of the pendulum create a sense of suspense and terror.
9. The narrator's plan regarding the rats is to use the meat tied to his bonds to attract them and have them chew through the ropes, setting him free. However, the plan backfires when the rats ignore the meat and instead focus on his imminent death, leaving him without their assistance.
10. The last problem the narrator must overcome is the rising, red-hot walls of the dungeon, which threaten to enclose and burn him alive. He is only saved when the French army arrives to rescue him at the last moment.
11. The narrator's mental suffering is portrayed as being greater than his physical suffering. While he endures physical torments such as the pendulum and the rats, his mental anguish is depicted as more intense. His fear, uncertainty, and the psychological terror inflicted upon him by the unknown elements of the dungeon contribute to his mental suffering.
12. The final outcome of the story is a combination of relief and astonishment for the narrator. He is saved by the French army just as the pendulum is about to cut through his body, and he is freed from his torment. However, the revelation of his salvation is juxtaposed with the surprise and terror of the dungeon walls closing in on him, creating a sense of both catharsis and lingering horror.
1. At the beginning of the story, the narrator's state of mind is one of extreme fear and confusion. He is disoriented and unsure of his surroundings, which adds to his sense of anxiety. As the story progresses, his state of mind shifts between terror, desperation, and determination. He experiences moments of intense fear and panic, but also shows resilience and resourcefulness in his efforts to survive.
2. The story is written in the first-person point of view. This perspective is particularly effective for this story because it allows the reader to have a direct insight into the narrator's thoughts, emotions, and perceptions. It creates a sense of immediacy and personal connection, immersing the reader in the intense fear and anguish experienced by the narrator.
3. "The Pit and the Pendulum" can be considered a study in the horror of the unknown due to the overwhelming sense of dread and uncertainty that permeates the story. The narrator is trapped in a dungeon, unsure of where he is, and unaware of the nature of his impending punishment. The lack of knowledge creates a psychological terror, as his imagination conjures up the worst possible scenarios. The fear of the unknown, the anticipation of what is to come, adds to the overall horror of the story.
4. The narrator explores the dungeon because he is desperate to find a way to escape or discover any means of salvation. He gropes along the walls and moves cautiously, feeling his way through the darkness. He hopes to find an exit, a tool, or any clue that might help him survive.
5. To calculate the distance around the dungeon, the narrator uses his footsteps as a measurement. He carefully counts his steps as he walks, and estimates the distance covered. However, he makes a mistake in his calculations by unknowingly taking smaller steps due to the fear and anxiety he is experiencing. This leads him to underestimate the actual distance around the dungeon.
6. When the narrator falls, he discovers that the pit he was unknowingly walking towards is covered by cloth, creating the illusion of solid ground. He narrowly avoids falling into the pit, which would have been a fatal outcome.
7. The narrator assumes that his punishment will be some form of physical torture, based on the instruments of torture and the dungeon's menacing atmosphere. He envisions various cruel possibilities, including being impaled by the sharply rising walls of the pit or being crushed by a descending ceiling.
8. The pendulum in the story moves slowly back and forth, gradually descending toward the narrator. As it swings closer, the blade attached to it becomes more visible and menacing. This slow, methodical movement builds suspense and heightens the feeling of impending doom for the narrator.
9. The narrator's plan regarding the rats was to use his untied bonds to attract them to chew through the straps securing him to the wooden framework in the center of the dungeon. The plan works, as the rats are drawn to the narrator's bonds and begin to gnaw at them. However, their actions also attract the attention of the Inquisitor's rats, leading to a conflict between the two groups that disrupts the process of freeing the narrator.
10. The last problem to be overcome is the impending descent of the pendulum. With time running out and no apparent means of escape, the narrator desperately looks for a solution. He notices a slight protrusion in the wall and realizes it is a crescent-shaped blade that was meant to fall and kill him. With the last ounce of strength, he lures the pendulum towards him so that it eventually cuts through the straps that bind him, freeing him from the wooden framework.
11. The narrator's mental suffering is arguably greater than his physical suffering throughout the story. While he endures physical torments such as the dark, the pit, the pendulum, and the increasingly oppressive atmosphere of the dungeon, it is his psychological anguish, fear of the unknown, and the imaginative horrors that haunt him that have the most profound impact on him.
12. The final outcome of the story is that the French army arrives in the nick of time to save the narrator from the clutches of the Spanish Inquisition. This unexpected rescue brings his ordeal to an end and provides him with a sense of relief and redemption. The story concludes with his liberation and the eventual defeat of his tormentors.