Literary Comparison
Introduction
Edgar Allan Poe ‘s poems are best known for their deep meaning and distinct presentation of particular elements that make up the overall concept of what reality is all about. In a way, the creative process of thinking that Poe has basically imposed in most of his works transcends a distinct pillar of his being, as if sharing not only his thoughts but his individuality to his readers. Practically, this approach has made Poe’s poems to be among the most read and most analyzed ones. Among the themes used by Poe in presenting his poems to the public include the ideal pattern by which psychology is utilized to estimate the behavioral changes happening among human individuals as they face the different issues ad challenges that life offers them with.
In the discussion that follows, the analysis of two of the most celebrated works of Edgar Allan Poe shall be given attention to. The short stories William Wilson and The Black Cat follow a pattern of determined indication of change that occurs in an individual especially when pressuring situations arise. Examining the thematic utilization of evil transition in each story, this presentation shall entail to make a distinct observation on how the concept of psychology does present a determinable pattern of explanation as to why people respond to pressure with evilness.
Comparison of Characters
William Wilson [from the story William Wilson] and the narrator of the short story of the Black Cat present a determinable course of behavioral pattern that shows the readers what is meant by turning into evil. Both characters are noted for their good attitudes and behavior at the onset of the story. It could not be denied that Poe wanted his readers to accept the said individuals, allowing them to connect with each person thus creating a determinable course of indication of what is meant by developmental psychology and how it directly affects the thinking, the perception and the being of the individual being subjected to pressuring situations.
Hoping to get the attention of his readers, he intended to entice them into thinking that the characters he used in each story was evidently flawless and distinctively easy-to-relate-to in consideration with the history that they have gone through. Being good individuals, the stories start out at a much positively defined theme. However, as the story pursues towards the climax, Poe puts the individuals in questionable situations that subjects them to changes that they may have not even expected to get involved with.
William Wilson, amidst his being engaged with supposedly “light minded parents”, has emerged with a colorful attitude; specifically apart from what his peers have been noted for. In the beginning of the story, he presents himself with the words “Let me call myself, for present, William Wilson; the fair page now lying before me need not be sullied with my real appellation” (1). Here he represents himself to be fully aware of who he was and somewhat proud of what he has become. Practically, William was somewhat the odd one out, not because of any negativity in his being, but because of being positive all throughout his decisions. However, he needed to face a distinct challenge, one that he did not expect to happen. There existed another student in his school who for some reason carries the same name as he does and acts as if copying what he is, only that the other individual does things way better than he ever does. For the many years of staying away from this person, William Wilson tried to transfer from one school to another just so to get away from the shadows of the said individual. However, running away from him was impossible as he seems to be the shadow of William as he faces different tasks and different points of decision in his life. In a way, the other William Wilson was shown to be the alter ego of the main character that challenges his being. His failure to carry out the need to control his emotions in connection to such situation has led him towards becoming less able to face the trials; thus falling into the temptation of committing a crime that lashes out his character, throwing away every positive element there is into his personal behavior.
The narrator of The Black Cat, takes the same pattern as did William Wilson. Practically, he was introduced by Poe as a loving person. Living with his wife and their pets in the house, the narrator was shown to have a distinct compassion for animals; a matter that affected most of his decisions accordingly. This is what made him who he is. His concern for his pets and his desire to give attention to their needs constantly allowed him to become more than what he has expected of himself. He, however, gets attached to one of the pets, the black cat, which he named Pluto. At the turn of time, he later on becomes violent and alcoholic. To this the narrator points out: “I grew, day by day, more moody, more irritable, more regardless of the feelings of others” (6). His abrupt decisions has caused him to become more concerned about what he wants rather than what he was actually doing to those whom he loves, including his wife. The story ends with a tragic fire that kills Pluto and all of his other possessions. Relatively, such concern for the presentation of a huge black cat’s corpse tied up into a rope became the representation of how the narrator let go of something valuable to him. His cat was somewhat one of the most important possessions he has ever had and at some point, he just let go of such fondness because of losing grip of his temper.
Conclusion
The narrator and William Wilson are two different individuals coming from very different backgrounds. Nevertheless, they both have a distinct sense of determining what was important in their lives and what really mattered to them until the time when situations have finally changed. The practical process by which Poe introduces the point of transition in both stories provide a determinable course of insistence on how pressure changes individuals as they handle the different pressures in life. Although there was no indication of any sort of situational alteration in the story, it could be realized that the sudden change in the attitude of both characters challenges the capacity of the readers to see even more deeply into the narrative an relate themselves into the plots of the story. From this point of determined indication of narrative development, evil is seen to have resulted from a series of events that have caused the characters to change their attitude therefore altering their decisions as well.
Works Cited
Silverman, Kenneth. Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance. New York City: Harper Perennial, 1991: 149–150.
Sova, Dawn B. (2001). Edgar Allan Poe, A to Z: the essential reference to his life and work. New York City: Facts on File. p. 28.
