In many of his short stories Graham Greene writes about the theme of death. Here death always stands in close relation to fear, though there are only two of his short stories namely A Little Place off Edgeware Road and Proof Positive, which by their settings and characters create a certain kind of horror and revulsion. The latter, M. G. Brennan wrote, is “[…] dealing with the polarities of life and death […]” (28) and has a rather ironical and mystic notion towards the theme. Brian Diemert claims in his article Recomposing “Valdemar” that Edgar Allan Poe’s short story The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar “[…] is both the model for and the precursor of Greene's story, […]” (1). The writer got inspired by Poe’s combination of horror and suspense as well as the resolute and appalling way he used to end his tale.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Comparative Analysis of Narrators
3. Structural Suspensions and Narrative Endings
4. The Role of Voice and Subjectivity
5. Atmosphere and Character Portrayal
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this paper is to conduct a comparative analysis between Graham Greene's "Proof Positive" and Edgar Allan Poe's "The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar" to determine how Greene utilizes horror and disgust in his work, while drawing parallels to Poe’s influence.
- Thematic exploration of death, decay, and the fine line between life and afterlife.
- Examination of narrative techniques, specifically the contrast between first-person and third-person perspectives.
- Analysis of characterization, focusing on the representation of the undead and the physical dissolution of the body.
- Investigation of atmosphere and setting as tools for evoking psychological terror and irony.
Excerpt from the Book
The Role of Voice and Subjectivity
Another parallel is found in the voices of the subjects of matter. In Graham Greene’s Proof Positive the sound of the sick man’s “tired voice” is mentioned fairly often and represents the immortal part of Mr. Weaver - his spirit. It changes from tired to high several times within the story and when “He lost the thread of his speech altogether. […] His speech, as it grew slower, seemed to lose all logical order” (Greene, 2). Major Weaver’s hand also touching his throat a few times during his speech can be seen as a sign for the collapse of his body. His body which has already lost all of its strength and is dead cannot be hold intact anymore by his spirit only. When the old man finally “sat down slowly in his chair and let his head fall backwards.” (Greene, 3) his soul has left his body after all.
In Poe’s short story the role of Valdemar’s voice is not as steadily described as in the case of Philip Weaver, however, in a quite peculiar way. When P-----‘s patient is under hypnosis he only uses his voice to answer questions. For the time Ernest Valdemar’s body functions were still intact the sound of his voice was “very faintly, almost inaudibly” (Poe, 5) but suddenly when “There was no longer the faintest sign of vitality in M. Valdemar” (Poe, 6) his tongue, as the only bearer of words, started to vibrate and answered P-----‘s questions with a harsh voice. Finally this was the unexplainable and unforeseen reaction to hypnosis right before death. It proofed that the spirit could outlive the body and could keep it in its present condition. In Proof Positive as well as in The Facts in The Case of M. Valdemar the voices of the characters are the only proof for the existence of an immortal sould.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the thematic focus on death in Greene’s work and establishes the comparative relationship with Edgar Allan Poe’s "The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar."
2. Comparative Analysis of Narrators: This section contrasts the skeptical third-person narration of "Proof Positive" with the objective, first-person report style utilized by Poe.
3. Structural Suspensions and Narrative Endings: This chapter analyzes how both authors manage the interval between life and death and handle the inevitable physical decay of their subjects.
4. The Role of Voice and Subjectivity: This section examines the vocalizations of the dying characters as evidence of the spirit’s survival beyond the physical body.
5. Atmosphere and Character Portrayal: This chapter details the horrific descriptions and setting elements, such as the "yellow fingers of winter fog," used to create a spine-chilling atmosphere.
6. Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes the findings, confirming that Poe’s work served as a model for Greene, while noting the distinct ironic perspective introduced by Greene.
Keywords
Graham Greene, Edgar Allan Poe, Death, Immortality, Horror, Narrative Technique, Proof Positive, The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar, Disgust, Spirit, Body, Decay, Psychical Society, Comparative Literature, Supernatural
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this analytical paper?
The paper focuses on a comparative study of the theme of death and the representation of horror in short stories by Graham Greene and Edgar Allan Poe.
What are the central thematic fields addressed?
The central themes include the boundary between life and death, the survival of the spirit, physical decay, and the psychological impact of horror.
What is the primary research question?
The study aims to investigate the parallels and differences between the two authors and to determine how Graham Greene creates a sense of horror and disgust in "Proof Positive."
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The research uses a comparative literary analysis method, examining narrative structure, characterization, and stylistic choices in both primary texts.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers the differing roles of narrators, the use of voice as evidence of immortality, the symbolic setting, and character descriptions.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Graham Greene, Poe, death, immortality, horror, narrative technique, and body vs. soul.
How does the narrator in "Proof Positive" influence the reader?
The third-person narrator, specifically through Colonel Crashaw’s skepticism and irritation, shapes the reader’s perception of Major Weaver and the events of the story.
What is the significance of the "voice" in these stories?
In both narratives, the character's voice serves as the primary, albeit eerie, proof that the spirit can persist even when the physical body begins to disintegrate.
- Citar trabajo
- Alexandra Baum (Autor), 2011, Essay on Graham Greene's "Proof Positive", Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/193587
