In the “The Fall of The House of Usher”, “The Black Cat” by Edgar Allen Poe and Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn are all uses of gothic literature that establish an eerie atmosphere. All three works encompass many elements from blood and violence to psychological issues. These authors use gothic literature to strengthen their works and to set a certain tone to fit their writing styles. “The Black Cat” by Edgar Allen Poe is a story about a deranged man who has many psychological issues. He is notorious for inflicting pain on animals and it is comforting to him when he does. The narrator eventually goes too far and ends up killing his cat named Pluto. Poe ironically names the cat Pluto because the word “Pluto” is being referred to the Roman version of Hades. This allusion is ironic because Pluto is the God …show more content…
The narrator of this story is requested to visit his old childhood friend through a letter that he receives. Once he approaches the house he is a little stunned by the appearance of the house. “With the first glimpse of the building, a sense of insufferable gloom pervaded my spirit.” (Poe 3) Once he gets inside the house he hardly recognizes his friend who seems to have an illness. “The writer spoke of acute body illness-of a mental disorder which oppressed him” (Poe 4). Poe starts off the story with a mysterious feeling and it works well to keep the reader reading. Inside the house a bunch of strange things start occurring. One thing for sure is that the narrator’s friend has serious psychological issues. “But, as I placed my hand upon his shoulder, there came a strong shudder over his whole person; a sickly smile quivered about his lips; and I saw that he spoke in a low, hurried, and gibbering murmur, as if unconscious of my presence.” (Poe 24) This can be argued that ghosts are present in the house but it seems to be part of his mental