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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
#14/148
The prospect of waking up in a coffin might be the most terrifying thing one can ever imagine . A sufferer of catalepsy, who has morbid fear of being buried alive narrates few incidents in which the victims were buried alive. Few were saved while others were not so lucky.
The narrator reviews these examples in order to provide context for his nearly crippling phobia of being buried alive. As he explains, his condition made him prone to slipping into a trance state of unconsciousness, a disease that grew progressively worse over time. He became obsessed with the idea that he would fall into such a state while away from home, and that his state would be mistaken for death. He extracts promises from his friends that they will not bury him prematurely, refuses to leave his home, and builds an elaborate tomb with equipment allowing him to signal for help in case he should awaken after "death".
Imagine then, his horrors when he finds himself in pitch dark place reeking of musty earth and not a one precaution in sight.
“The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins?”
Fear of burial alive was deeply rooted in Western culture in the nineteenth century and Poe was taking advantage of the public's fascination with it.
One of the best works by Poe, at his most terrifying. one star less coz I don't like his obsession of painting doctors in dark light.
The prospect of waking up in a coffin might be the most terrifying thing one can ever imagine . A sufferer of catalepsy, who has morbid fear of being buried alive narrates few incidents in which the victims were buried alive. Few were saved while others were not so lucky.
The narrator reviews these examples in order to provide context for his nearly crippling phobia of being buried alive. As he explains, his condition made him prone to slipping into a trance state of unconsciousness, a disease that grew progressively worse over time. He became obsessed with the idea that he would fall into such a state while away from home, and that his state would be mistaken for death. He extracts promises from his friends that they will not bury him prematurely, refuses to leave his home, and builds an elaborate tomb with equipment allowing him to signal for help in case he should awaken after "death".
Imagine then, his horrors when he finds himself in pitch dark place reeking of musty earth and not a one precaution in sight.
“The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins?”
Fear of burial alive was deeply rooted in Western culture in the nineteenth century and Poe was taking advantage of the public's fascination with it.
One of the best works by Poe, at his most terrifying. one star less coz I don't like his obsession of painting doctors in dark light.
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Claustrophobic - yes
Freaky - yes
Dark - yes
Did I enjoy it? YES
Freaky - yes
Dark - yes
Did I enjoy it? YES
Buried alive is not an uncommon topic, and in this short story, the narrator relates a few short stories about people who have been buried alive before telling about his fear of it. It makes sense though, because he is cataleptic, which means he could have seizures that would end up making him seem dead.
So what does a man do to allay his fears? Everything he could so that he wouldn't be around unknown people who didn't know his condition. Everything he could do in his future coffin just so he could wriggle out if he really was buried alive.
But alas, a man can only plan so much. Fate brings him an interesting chance to feel the very fear he's trying hard to run away from.
I feel like this short story is a little different from Poe's usual because there is definitely hope in this one.
So what does a man do to allay his fears? Everything he could so that he wouldn't be around unknown people who didn't know his condition. Everything he could do in his future coffin just so he could wriggle out if he really was buried alive.
But alas, a man can only plan so much. Fate brings him an interesting chance to feel the very fear he's trying hard to run away from.
I feel like this short story is a little different from Poe's usual because there is definitely hope in this one.
Suspenseful and enjoyed the essay-type narration Poe likes to use. Although not my cup of tea, I enjoyed this story compared to most of his other horror-type stories.
Second only to "The Imp of the Perverse" among Poe's "horror-essays."