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ENGL 05 Rocha: Topics for Essay 1

Introduction to Fiction

Essay #1 Overview

You will chose one of the following topics to write an analytical, research driven essay:

  • “The Cask of Amontillado” (Examines POV)
    • Poe is noted for his use of psychology, and this story’s first person narration allows readers to glimpse the inner workings of the murderous Montresor’s mind.
    • How is first person narration essential to this story in particular?  
    • What might change if the POV was altered?  
      • Consider how this story would differ in theme, characterization, plot, etc. if told by a third person narrator (objective and/or omniscient), or a different first person narrator (such as Fortunato).
  • "The Tell Tale Heart" (Examines Theme) 
    • Poe's use of madness is especially noted.
    • Consider the theme of this story in terms of what it says about sanity/evil:
      • Is the narrator mad? Or is he a sane person having a breakdown?
      • Is he just an evil person? Or is he suffering a crisis of conscience?  
    • What is Poe trying to say about the mind in this tale of the tell-tale heart?

You will need a minimum of:

  • one primary source (the story you are responding to)
  • five secondary (outside research) sources
  • 1500 words for this essay.

Poe's Short Stories