Abstract

Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most unique writers in America. No great author in the American literary circles had a more tragic life than Poe, a talented but tormented man. Many other writers in America of his same age applied a romantic tone in their works. Unlike his contemporary writers, Edgar Allen Poe deals mostly with themes like killing, violence, death, nightmare and evil in his works that terrify as well fascinate a wide readership. For a long time he was perhaps the most controversial and most misunderstood of all American writers. It was until the 20th century that the importance of Poe’s literary creations had been recognized extensively by the academic world. 

Why are people drawn to such imaginary horrors? Because horror produces sublimity; horror brings purification of human soul. This thesis attempts to answer this question from the perspective of Burke’s theory of sublimity. Through close reading and case studies, this paper reveals how Poe’s gothic fiction successfully produces the effect of the “sublime”. And conclusions can be drawn that the power of horror is to cause the delights of pain in human soul.

Keywords: Edgar Allan Poe; gothic fiction; horror; aesthetic value; the sublime

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1. Introduction1

2. Poe’s Gothicism.1

 2.1 Poe’s personal life..2

 2.2 Poe and the British gothic novel3

 2.3 Poe and American literary traditions.4

3. Sublimity and beauty5

 3.1 Burke’s theory of sublimity and beauty5

 3.2 Interpretations and applications of sublimity6

 3.3 Poe’s presentations of the “sublime” in his gothic fiction7

4. Poe’s literary devices for the “sublime” effect.8

 4.1 Symbol 8

 4.2 Suspense..10

 4.3 Setting and atmosphere10

 4.4 Open ending.11

 4.5 The first-person viewpoint...12

5.Conclusion15

6.References.16