" The Pit and The Pendulum "

Hi K!! XP

It's me again... having nothing better to do than your homework...

About the story:

Gosh! Have we read this story a thousand times!! I like Poe, though, I agree with Gaychuz: his best is "The Fall of the House of Usher", there's more action with the same amount of suspense mixed and the atmosphere (I don't know why) can be like more... felt. Whatever, that's for another occasion.

I like Poe: his plenitude of details... every word, in fact, hides a meaning that must be decoded in order to really feel what's going on there. The backgrounds (both historical and cultural) that he picks are outstanding, the horror and uncertainty (like in this case) involving them really gives the shakes to anybody, for at least a moment.

I like it, I like it, and I'm not that sadistic (ahem...) but I really love the intrigue, the double-sense words and objects and occasions, and all the symbols that are represented! Oh! The symbols! I've been thinking about some aspects of the setting lately. Was Poe really reffering to the pit as the abyss of uncertainty and darkness within us, denied by our most coward side? ...Or is it just me? I have so much to think and consider about!

Yeah, I'm loving it. The cadence, the rythm, the suspense... it kills me. It really does. In this story, by example, I hate so much that the narrator is always scared. What a dreadful condition to be in! If he would have been a little bird, he would have died long before. He's always consuming himself with fear and horror. It reaches a poin when it's boring and tiring. -.- Dying would be the option, though, but that wouldn't be fun, right Poe? So, let's say it's necessary. And, much more, it's the characteristic of Poe's characters.

So, I think that's all. I would also love to make a psicological profile about Poe. What was so wrong with him? What's HIS story? ...Yeah, that would definetly be fun. muahaha

" No Witchcraft For Sale "

Hi K!! ¬¬

Well, I've just finished reading this story this morning, so I kinda hold the idea...

The story wasn't really that good for me, personaly, I prefer action and intrigue; but it was entretaining. I noticed something strange with the narrator: it talked without many spaces (or interrumptions, if you prefer) and there was I point where I lost the sense of time. Events occured one after another and it didn't really gave the reader time to absorb all details and I could only draw quick conclusions. Plus, I think omiting to say the postures of the characters leaves us to the expectative. Also, I think the author missing to state the time-space relationship, or at least, mention it once!

Though, I liked the theme. Standing out to protect your culture. Yeah. I like people living and dying for their ideals. I don't like wars, though, just a formal white-gloved struggle.

About the characters, Gideon really gets the trophy for "the best response in bad English". jaja He was very smart, and knew how to subdue his appetites, overcoming the temptation for falling into the most basic human flaws (in this case, it's about greed I'm talking [because of the money and fame he was promised]).

And well, I may dare to say that both the Farquards and the doctor were kind of naive if they were expecting Gideon to fall for them instead. jajaja poor guys. Anyways, at least Gideon gives the doctor what he wants (the reason for the tales about black villagers in possession of more advanced knowledgement than theirs- not true!) and brings a smile for the Farquards and a funny thing for Teddy to remember.

Happy ending =P