The Imp of the Perverse

Poe has been credited with the invention of the American Gothic horror story. How do the Gothic elements in this story evoke terror in the reader?

How does the structure of the story contribute to its themes?

During his life, Poe was haunted by the deaths of the three women closest to him, which became the subject of many of his stories. How is death imagery in the story used to explore the dark side of human imagination?

In what ways does Poe establish himself as a Romantic writer in this story? Discuss how his structure, characterization, and imagery reflect the ideals of the period of Romanticism.

One of Poe’s defining characteristics as a writer was his deep insight into the dark impulses of the human mind, which were recognized in the field of psychology. How does this imaginative text illuminate the workings of the human mind? Describe the literary elements of this story that contributed to Poe’s psychological insights.

Consider the role of suspense in the story. How does it contribute to Poe’s “unity of effect”? What would be the impact of reversing the story so that the narrator’s confession comes first and the abstract discussion of “perversity” comes second? Discuss.

Examine the symbolism of the “abyss” in the story. What do we learn about the nature of obsession from this example, and how is it connected to the narrator’s downfall?

At a few points in the story, the narrator refers to “madness.” He reveals that people think he is “mad” and that he “bounded like a madman” through the streets, yet he takes great care to appear rational. Pretend you are a lawyer building a case for the narrator’s “insanity defense.” Provide evidence for why the narrator should be deemed “criminally insane.” (As a bonus exercise, you could do the opposite—analyze the text for evidence of his “sanity” and why he deserves to be condemned.)