1. ““The Pit and the Pendulum”The Pit and the Pendulum”
Edgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan Poe

2. Contextual Setting ofContextual Setting of
“The Pit and the Pendulum”“The Pit and the Pendulum”
The Spanish InquisitionThe Spanish Inquisition
1478 - 18341478 - 1834

3. The Spanish InquisitionThe Spanish Inquisition
 Spain had just suffered a civil war.Spain had just suffered a civil war.
 Queen Isabella came to rule with herQueen Isabella came to rule with her
husband King Ferdinand.husband King Ferdinand.
 Spain was comprised of 3 major religiousSpain was comprised of 3 major religious
groups: Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim.groups: Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim.
 King Ferdinand and Queen IsabellaKing Ferdinand and Queen Isabella
decided to unite the country under onedecided to unite the country under one
religion – Catholicism.religion – Catholicism.

4. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain

5. The Spanish InquisitionThe Spanish Inquisition
 Spanish Jews and later Muslims were forced toSpanish Jews and later Muslims were forced to
accept Christianity.accept Christianity.
 Most historians agree that the motivation for theMost historians agree that the motivation for the
Inquisition was greed.Inquisition was greed.
 The Spanish Inquisition was halted briefly in theThe Spanish Inquisition was halted briefly in the
early 1800’s when Napoleon’s army invaded &early 1800’s when Napoleon’s army invaded &
defeated Spain.defeated Spain.
 Napoleon named his brother as Spain’s newNapoleon named his brother as Spain’s new
ruler.ruler.
 It lasted until 1834.It lasted until 1834.

6. The Spanish InquisitionThe Spanish Inquisition
 Jews and Muslims were accused ofJews and Muslims were accused of
converting to Christianity only to save theirconverting to Christianity only to save their
property.property.
 Anyone could accuse anyone else ofAnyone could accuse anyone else of
heresy.heresy.
 Once they were found guilty, their propertyOnce they were found guilty, their property
was confiscated.was confiscated.
 They were imprisoned, tortured, andThey were imprisoned, tortured, and
executed.executed.

8. The Spanish InquisitionThe Spanish Inquisition
 Tomas de Torquemada, a Dominican priest,Tomas de Torquemada, a Dominican priest,
presided over thousands of trials and about twopresided over thousands of trials and about two
thousand burnings at the stake.thousand burnings at the stake.
 Auto –da-fe literally means “act of faith” inAuto –da-fe literally means “act of faith” in
Portugese.Portugese.
 Torquemada would perform this religiousTorquemada would perform this religious
ceremony, which consisted of a Mass and deathceremony, which consisted of a Mass and death
sentence, before the executions.sentence, before the executions.
 15,000 to 20,000 were tried during this time.15,000 to 20,000 were tried during this time.

9. ““The Pit and the Pendulum”The Pit and the Pendulum”
 The setting of the story is a SpanishThe setting of the story is a Spanish
prison in the 1820’s.prison in the 1820’s.
 At the end of the story, General LasalleAt the end of the story, General Lasalle
and the French army enter Toledo, a cityand the French army enter Toledo, a city
in Spain.in Spain.

10. Works CitedWorks Cited
 ““The Inquisition: Power, Greed, and Suffering.”The Inquisition: Power, Greed, and Suffering.”
Elements of LiteratureElements of Literature. Orlando: Holt, Rhinehart,. Orlando: Holt, Rhinehart,
and Winston, 2008.and Winston, 2008.
 NALLE, SARA TILGHMAN. "NALLE, SARA TILGHMAN. "Inquisition, SpanishInquisition, Spanish
."." Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of theEurope, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the
Early Modern WorldEarly Modern World. The Gale Group Inc. 2004.. The Gale Group Inc. 2004.
Encyclopedia.com.Encyclopedia.com. 31 Mar. 2009 <31 Mar. 2009 <
http://www.encyclopedia.comhttp://www.encyclopedia.com>.>.

11. “The Pit and the Pendulum”
Literary Elements

12. Point of View
• 1st
Person Narrative
• Nameless Prisoner

13. Conflict
• Protagonist
• Nameless Prisoner
• Antagonists
• His Insanity (Inner
Conflict)
• His Tormentors
(External Conflict)

14. Themes
• Untimely Death
• Isolation
• Torture
• Survival
(Will to Live Vs.
Desire to Die)
• Fear
• Loss of Time
• Persecution

15. Genres
• Fiction
• Horror
• Gothic – Supernatural horrors and
atmosphere of unknown terror; extreme
emotions (anger, fear, surprise, etc.)
• Poe is given credit for being the father of
the detective story.

16. Style
• Use of Latin & French
• Minimal use of characterization, plot, and
atmosphere
• Interest in what happens to people rather
than the individual
• Continually uses a male protagonist
• Famous for use of suspense

17. Symbols
• Pit - Hell
• Pendulum - Slow, approaching death; time
ticking down
• Father Time – Zeus’ father, Cronus,
controller of time
• Darkness – the unknown, ignorance
• Rats – a potential problem turned positive
• Unseen Tormentors – Personal “demons”