2. Born on January 19, 1809, in Boston,
Massachusetts, writer, poet, critic, and editor
Edgar Allan Poe's tales of mystery and horror gave
birth to the modern detective story and many of
his works, including ¨a predicament ¨ “The Tell-
Tale Heart” and “The Fall of the House of Usher,”
became literary classics. "The Raven," which he
published in 1845, is considered among the best-
known poems in American literature.
Edgar Allan Poe
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7. Analysis of some sections
While going up to the belfry she said:
-Why did I rush upon my fate? I was seized with an
uncontrollable desire to ascend the giddy pinnacle,
and then survey the immense extent of the city. The
door of the cathedral stood invitingly open. My
destiny prevailed. I entered the ominous archway.
Where then was my guardian angel? if indeed
such angels there be.
8. -Upon one such little step in the great
staircase of human life how vast a sum
of human happiness or misery
depends! I thought of myself, then of
Pompey, and then of the mysterious
and inexplicable destiny which
surrounded us.
9. when Zenobia´s head was about to be cut off by the
minute hand of the giant clock, she said:
There was, I knew, not a second to be lost. I pulled
back at once -- but it was too late. There was no
chance of forcing my head through the mouth of that
terrible trap
Down, down, down it came, closer and yet closer.
Thus I had no relief to expect from my associates.
I fully perceived my lamentable situation.
Lamentable indeed! The bar had buried itself two
inches in my neck. I was aroused to a sense of
exquisite pain. I prayed for death.
12. Characters:
Signora Psyche Zenobia:, narrator of the story, rich
and arrogant Women (direct characterization)
Pompey: Signora Psyche Zenobia's slave, He is
three feet tall and 70 or 80 years old. (direct
characterization)
Diana: Signora Psyche Zenobia's pet poodle,
described as having a small body and a head the size
of the body. (direct characterization)
13. Settings:
The setting of the story is in the town of Edina.
The country is not mentioned.
Most of the story takes place at the cathedral,.
14. Plot summary:
Exposition: Signora Psyche Zenobia enters the town
Rising Action: Signora Psyche Zenobia walking up the stairs of the
cathedral
Climax: Signora Psyche Zenobia gets her head caught in the clock
Falling Action: Signora Psyche Zenobia's eyes fall out and head gets
cut off
Resolution: The death of Signora Psyche Zenobia
15. Point of view:
This story is told in the fist person point
of view.
The Narrator of this story is Signora
Psyche Zenobia
16. Themes:
The theme of this story is What goes around comes around.
Genre:
"A Predicament" is to be described as Gothic and also a
Burlesque short story.
Adaptations
"A Predicament" was adapted in 2000 for National Public
Radio by the Radio Tales series, under the name "Edgar Allan
Poe's Predicament".
