“The death of a beautiful woman is the really most poetic theme of the world. “
(Edgar Allan Poe)
Edgar Allan Poe was made the way for modern times. Till today his stories constitute as
aesthetic horrible grotesque fascination, in which the death of the beautiful woman is often
put in the centre of attention. When Poe was once confronted with the reproach to write in
the tradition of German Horror‐Stories, he answered rather calmly: “when in many of my
works the horror is the theme, so I argue that these stories did not come from Germany but from
the soul.”
Poe transports the abyss of human subconscious and lets it open a new meta level with the
help of dead female projection surface. Death and dilapidation overshadow not just this
short story, which I am about to analyses in the following explanation.
With “Morella” is Poe able to return suppressed natural needs and instincts in form of a
supernatural ‘You’, which cannot be captured neither by the nameless narrator nor the
reader.
In this Work I will discuss in what extend the female ‘You’ grows into a threat, which
maintains even beyond death. The female death is used in this case as a transformation of
the self and as an aesthetic moment. But the focus is to fathom out male identity with the
help of a fragmentary female identity. Transformation, metamorphosis and doubling are of
major importance for this process.
As a representative of Black Romanticism Poe opens not only the “Night site of romanticism”
for his readers, but also the exemplary illustrates a longing for transcendence in his short
stories. By removing the figure of Morella in exactly this transcendent place, she cannot be
captured by the reader. [...]
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Prologue
- 1. The changing I: foreign will and threatening You
- 2. The female death as an aesthetic moment of transformation
- 3. Looking for identity: Morella and the motive of look-alike
- Epilogue
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper analyzes Edgar Allan Poe's "Morella," focusing on the portrayal of the female character and her impact on the male protagonist. The objective is to explore the themes of identity, transformation, and the unsettling dynamic between the male and female figures in the story. The analysis investigates how Poe utilizes the female character's death as an aesthetic device and explores the implications of the protagonist's dependence on and fear of Morella.
- The changing male identity in response to the enigmatic female character.
- The female death as an aesthetic moment of transformation and its symbolic meaning.
- The theme of the "other" and the fear of the unknown represented by Morella.
- Morella's intellect and knowledge as a source of both fascination and fear for the narrator.
- The concept of doubling and the intertwined identities of Morella and the narrator.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Prologue: The prologue introduces Poe's fascination with the death of a beautiful woman as a poetic theme, contextualizing "Morella" within Poe's broader oeuvre and highlighting the story's exploration of the subconscious and the supernatural. It sets the stage for an analysis of Morella's death as a transformative moment, a key theme throughout the essay.
1. The changing I: foreign will and threatening 'You': This chapter delves into the complex relationship between the nameless narrator and Morella, characterizing it as one of dependence and subtle domination. Morella's profound erudition and intellectual superiority are emphasized, creating a sense of mystery and fear in the narrator. Her intellectual dominance is presented as both alluring and threatening, destabilizing the narrator's identity and challenging traditional gender roles. The absence of physical attraction further emphasizes the intellectual and psychological nature of their bond.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Edgar Allan Poe, Morella, female death, aesthetic transformation, male identity, the "other," intellectual dominance, supernatural, dependence, fear, doubling, transformation, Black Romanticism.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Edgar Allan Poe's "Morella"
What is the focus of this academic paper?
This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of Edgar Allan Poe's short story "Morella," concentrating on the portrayal of the female character, Morella, and her influence on the male narrator. It explores themes of identity, transformation, and the complex, unsettling dynamic between the male and female figures within the narrative.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis of "Morella"?
The analysis delves into several key themes, including the changing male identity in response to Morella's enigmatic presence; Morella's death as an aesthetic moment of transformation and its symbolic meaning; the theme of "the other" and the narrator's fear of the unknown embodied by Morella; Morella's intellect and knowledge as a source of both fascination and fear; and the concept of doubling and the intertwined identities of Morella and the narrator.
What is the structure of the academic paper?
The paper is structured with a prologue and epilogue, framing a central analysis divided into chapters. It includes a detailed table of contents, clearly defined objectives and key themes, chapter summaries providing an overview of the arguments presented in each section, and a list of keywords for easy searching and referencing.
What does the prologue discuss?
The prologue introduces Poe's recurring fascination with the death of a beautiful woman as a poetic theme, placing "Morella" within the context of Poe's larger body of work. It emphasizes the story's exploration of the subconscious and the supernatural, setting the stage for the analysis of Morella's death as a transformative event.
What is the main focus of Chapter 1: "The changing I: foreign will and threatening 'You'"?
Chapter 1 examines the intricate relationship between the unnamed narrator and Morella, characterizing it as one of dependence and subtle domination. It highlights Morella's intellectual superiority, creating an atmosphere of mystery and fear for the narrator. Her intellectual dominance is presented as both attractive and threatening, challenging traditional gender roles and destabilizing the narrator's sense of self. The lack of physical attraction underscores the primarily intellectual and psychological nature of their bond.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries offer concise overviews of the arguments presented in each section of the paper. They highlight the complex interplay between the male and female characters, the significance of Morella's death as a pivotal moment of transformation, and the exploration of themes such as intellectual dominance, fear, dependence, and the supernatural within the context of Poe's writing style and thematic concerns.
What keywords are associated with this analysis of "Morella"?
The keywords associated with this analysis include: Edgar Allan Poe, Morella, female death, aesthetic transformation, male identity, the "other," intellectual dominance, supernatural, dependence, fear, doubling, transformation, and Black Romanticism.
What is the overall objective of this academic work?
The overall objective is to provide a nuanced and in-depth analysis of Edgar Allan Poe's "Morella," focusing on the complex relationship between the male narrator and the female protagonist, and exploring the story's rich tapestry of themes related to identity, transformation, and the power dynamics inherent in their interaction.
- Quote paper
- Julia Kulewatz (Author), 2009, The female death as an aesthetic moment of transformation: Edgar Allan Poe´s "Morella", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/143204