Analysis Of William Wilson

Whether in a peaceful bedroom or a busy street, the physical environments we surround ourselves with hold a significant impact on our mood. In addition, our psychological state also affects how we interpret our surroundings. The connection between our psychological state and our environment is highlighted by the interaction between physical and psychological space. Edgar Allan Poe's "William Wilson'' demonstrates how physical environments greatly reflect and coincide with our psychological states using setting and imagery.

To begin, the first part of the story establishes the connection between physical and psychological space. The boarding school where William Wilson first begins to fear his doppelganger is described, creating an overwhelming

The school's design is described as being very disorienting and confusing, which relates to William's internal conflicts. The narrator describes the school as having "interminable passages" and "innumerable staircases," creating a confusing and overwhelming environment which highlights William's psychological struggle (Poe 1).This use of setting and imagery creates a connection between the physical space of the school and William's psychological state. The school's oppressive atmosphere and confusing design reflects William's internal conflicts. He feels trapped within the school's walls, much like how he feels trapped and confused in his own mind. Additionally, Poe uses darkness to create anxiety and unease. In the first scene of the story, the narrator describes the school as having "long, dark corridors" that are "thickly strewn with projecting masses of brickwork" (Poe 1). This description creates a dark atmosphere, suggesting that there are secrets and

This part of the story takes place in a "dimly-lighted apartment" with "massive walls of iron" (Poe 12). The apartment's dim lighting and massive iron walls create a sense of confinement and vulnerability, which emphasises the severity of William's situation. This reflects William's sense of being trapped by his doppelganger. The darkness makes the room's features difficult to see, implying that William is unable to fully perceive his surroundings and as a result cannot escape. He is incapable of escaping the darkness which he finds himself in both physically and emotionally. William's inner conflicts peak towards the end of the story as he realizes that he can never truly escape his doppelganger. This realization creates feelings of despair and hopelessness, which is mirrored by the seemingly shrinking physical space of the apartment. Poe says, "The ponderous walls, and the broad heavy ceiling, seemed to crush me down as I leaned against them" (Poe 12). This describes the feelings of imprisonment and confinement that the narrator experiences as the walls begin to close in on him. As William leans against the walls, he feels like they are crushing him. This reflects loss of control over his life, as he realizes that he can never truly escape his doppelganger. Essentially, the doppelganger represents the protagonist's dark side, which is a representation of his negative desires and his