The distinction between right and wrong in Poe's stories is a very powerful theme, ever present in his horrific accounts. ... The reader is told that the narrator appears to be a happily married man, who has always been exceedingly kind and gentle. ... As the narrator begins to depict his story in the form of a rather subtle flashback, the reader discovers that the man's personality has undergone a drastic transformation, which he attributes to his abuse of alcohol and the perverse side of his nature, which the alcohol apparently evoked, as it serves as a catalyst. ...

• Word Count: 4324
• Approx Pages: 17
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School