Monday, November 16, 2009
My Critique of "Berenice"
Memorable Quotes:
"How is it that from beauty I have derived a type of unloveliness?"
"They parted; and in a smile of peculiar meaning, the teeth of the changed Berenice disclosed themselves slowly to my view. Would to God that I never beheld them, or that, having done so, I had died!"
"I had done a deed --what was it? I asked myself the question aloud, and the whispering echoes of the chamber answered me, 'what was it?'
In my opinion, when Egaeus described his curiousity for Berenice's teeth and how his disease was gradually taking over him was a very memorable part. The story was very well written and I thought the characters were developed well because I felt like I knew them and that I was actually in the setting with them while the story was going on.
For my fellow classmates, I would recommend this story, but it requires a large dictionary next to you and rereading several passages over and over. But, Edgar A. Poe makes the reader absolutely have to turn the page because his writing makes the reader extremely curious to what is going to happen next. Also, I would suggest reading this short story if you like a good horror tale. However, there is also a love story hidden behind the gruesome conflict. So, even if you aren't a big fan of scary stories I would still recommend "Berenice."Poe's experienced techniques made my heart beat every time I even thought of what was coming. The thrill of the story was fantastic which made the whole story in all great.
"How is it that from beauty I have derived a type of unloveliness?"
"They parted; and in a smile of peculiar meaning, the teeth of the changed Berenice disclosed themselves slowly to my view. Would to God that I never beheld them, or that, having done so, I had died!"
"I had done a deed --what was it? I asked myself the question aloud, and the whispering echoes of the chamber answered me, 'what was it?'
In my opinion, when Egaeus described his curiousity for Berenice's teeth and how his disease was gradually taking over him was a very memorable part. The story was very well written and I thought the characters were developed well because I felt like I knew them and that I was actually in the setting with them while the story was going on.
For my fellow classmates, I would recommend this story, but it requires a large dictionary next to you and rereading several passages over and over. But, Edgar A. Poe makes the reader absolutely have to turn the page because his writing makes the reader extremely curious to what is going to happen next. Also, I would suggest reading this short story if you like a good horror tale. However, there is also a love story hidden behind the gruesome conflict. So, even if you aren't a big fan of scary stories I would still recommend "Berenice."Poe's experienced techniques made my heart beat every time I even thought of what was coming. The thrill of the story was fantastic which made the whole story in all great.
Mood of Berenice
The mood of the story is extremely eerie as well as suspenseful. It is truly a horror story with a hint of love and romance. In the beginning of the story, the reader is constantly wanting to know why the man is so amazed by his cousin's teeth and why? As "Berenice" continues, it starts to become weird and frightening. While I was reading the story, I was constantly looking back to see if I missed anything because the events that were occuring were extremely awkward. Closer to the end of the story is when the true horror comes... But you will have to read the story to find out...
Main Conflict
In the story, "Berenice," Egaeus becomes almost obsessed with his love's, teeth.
One day, he looked at his loving cousin's mouth and stared uncontrollably. But, you must understand that Egaeus had no other choice. He had been diagnosed with a monomania disease which causes one to focus extremely hard on "something" or a topic for a period of time. So when he first looked at her teeth an obsession hit him. Everyday, he fantasized about the teeth and imagined analyzing them from every angle, learning about them. So, he basically plans to take Berenice's teeth just to hault the curiousity in his mind.
One day, he looked at his loving cousin's mouth and stared uncontrollably. But, you must understand that Egaeus had no other choice. He had been diagnosed with a monomania disease which causes one to focus extremely hard on "something" or a topic for a period of time. So when he first looked at her teeth an obsession hit him. Everyday, he fantasized about the teeth and imagined analyzing them from every angle, learning about them. So, he basically plans to take Berenice's teeth just to hault the curiousity in his mind.
Main Conflict: Egaeus Obsession with Perplexing Teeth of Berenice
Intenal: Egaeus struggles with his disease and the symptoms that come with it. During the story, his disease almost "grows" and overtakes him to the point where he is completely consumed by Berenice's teeth.
Protagonist and Antagonist of Berenice
Protagonist: Egaeus, the narrator
Antagonist: The teeth of Berenice, his cousin
Antagonist: The teeth of Berenice, his cousin
Egaeus, the narrator in the story, is a young man who is dealing with monomania disease. This condition makes the patient focus uncontrollably on a topic or thing for a period of time. During the story, Egaeus and his cousin Berenice slowly fall in love and plan on getting married. But, Egaeus becomes obsessed with his Love's teeth and can't overlook the horror and excitement he sees within them.
In my opinion, Berenice's teeth are only a figment of Egaeus' imagination, due to his disease. However, the white "chompers" did have quite an eeriness to them once understood from the narrator's point of view. The teeth seem to haunt Egaeus. I believe the teeth of Berenice play the same role as the vexed eye in the "Tell-Tale Heart."
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Setting of Berenice
Berenice, by Edgar Allan Poe, takes place in a large, cheerless mansion during the late 1800's (approx.). Throughout the story, Egaeus and Berenice live in the mansion with only their servants.
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