ENGL 10B: Literatures in English, 1700 to 1850
Prof. SooShee
Question: Evaluate the portrayal of madness in Edgar Allan Poe's short
stories, focusing on "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Fall of the House of
Usher."
Response: Poe's exploration of madness in these stories goes beyond conventional
horror. The unreliable narrators and psychological intricacies serve to emphasize
the fragility of the human mind and the impact of guilt and fear.
Question: Explore the representation of the supernatural in Nathaniel
Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter." How does Hawthorne use the supernatural
elements to enhance the themes of sin, guilt, and redemption?
Response: Hawthorne employs the supernatural, such as the meteor and the forest,
in "The Scarlet Letter" to underscore the moral and psychological consequences of
sin. These elements contribute to the novel's exploration of guilt, redemption, and
societal judgment.
