Edgar Allen Poe is often considered one of the forerunners of science fiction. His short story, “The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar” includes a number of elements that would later be developed into the science fiction genre. The narrator views his experience with M. Valdemar as a scientific experiment, and as such tries to be an objective observer throughout the process. Poe’s inclusion of details; particularly the pseudo-scientific jargon and the implication of dangerous science, give the story an air of speculation for the future of science. Poe begins his tale with a narrator only addressed as P, who professes mesmeric or hypnotic abilities. The young man has been engaging in this practice for a few years by this time and remarks on the lack of experimentation of the effects of hypnosis on deathbed patients. His query focuses on three discoveries: whether such a person would be susceptible to magnetic influence, whether their illness had any effect on the connection, and most importantly, if death could be arrested by the process. The man immediately recalls a friend of his named M. Valdemar who had fallen ill sometime before and was not given much time to live. Arrangements are made, and the narrator is to be called into M. Valdemar’s chambers nearing the prescribed time of death. …show more content…
Despite the gruesome description the doctor gives of Valdemar’s deterioration, his final transformation into a putrefying liquid is ultimately more frightening than his natural death by tuberculosis would have been. With his death imminent, Valdemar appears eager to participate in the experiment, apparently driven by his fear of dying, but in his case, the postponement of death merely increases its