Blog Design

We devoted a lot of time and effort into the thought process of the overall design and display of our blog. Initially, we conversed about the different blog sites we could have used. After researching over three different sites for blogging, we decided that blogger.com was a more impressive and unique site than the others. After creating each of the individual descriptions for the quotes and pictures, we inputted our work into a certain template that best fit the overall theme of Edgar Allan Poe’s literature. Our font and color choice was very precise due to the gothic and mysterious theme our project was based upon. In the same way, white is very plain color but can be misleading, mysterious and frightening towards the eye. The background design appears spooky such as the common setting of the realm of Poe’s world. We thought that the quotes attached to the beginning of our blog set the stage for the general concept of what our project is based on. Likewise, we believe the pictures that we used for the different quotes presented in each short story read in class truly reveal what is meant to be said in each story. In conclusion, this blog site was easily accessible. The choices we made towards the blog design all were within reason of the embracing topic. Edgar Allan Poe is a very rare, yet astonishing man and we think that we were able to capture his overall message towards society.

For the most wild, yet most homely narrative which I am about to pen, I neither expect nor solicit belief. Mad indeed would I be to expect it, in a case where my very senses reject their own evidence. Yet, mad am I not -- and very surely do I not dream. But tomorrow I die and today I would unburden my soul.” (Black Cat, 11).

This is a great introduction to the wonderful story of The Black Cat. We truly believe that this quote establishes the mood and atmosphere towards the narrative. As he says “For the most wild, yet most homely narrative which I am about to pen, I neither expect nor solicit belief” he is portraying that he doesn’t expect the audience to believe what he is about to pen, but is determined to write it anyways. As well, this sets the mood for the story by utilizing the various terminologies such as “solicit”, “wild” and “homely” to illustrate an image on what he plans on writing. We like this beginning of the story because it sets the tone for the reader and gets them thinking of what the story will be based upon, In this image it displays how the black cat was mistreated and tortured. This picture symbolizes how the cat lost his eye and was hung.

 

Shortly afterward, I resumed my tour around the prison, and with much toil came at last upon the fragment of the serge. Up to the period when I fell I had counted fifty-two paces, and upon resuming my walk, I had counted forty-eight more; -- when I arrived at the rag. There were in all, then, a hundred paces; and, admitting two paces to the yard, I presumed the dungeon to be fifty yards in circuit. I had met, however, with many angles in the wall, and thus I could form no guess at the shape of the vault; for vault I could not help supposing it to be.” (The Pit and the Pendulum, 269).

This is yet another deep and meaningful quote from the exquisite writer Edgar Allan Poe. We believe that this quote reveals the true identity of the character. The way the protagonist handles the situation of him being imprisoned is very unique. Unlike most people that would react to his predicament, he was calm. He was in a pitch black chamber and instead of frantically reacting; he decided to do a series of events that kept his mind off of the thought of him being immortalized. As it says in the quote, “I had counted fifty two paces, and upon resuming my walk, I had counted forty eight more” his first initial thought was to make himself aware of his surroundings by counting the perimeter of the vault. This reveals he is a survivor and that is why he was able to withstand the events he was faced with. In ths picture, it resembles the eye of the protagonist while he is trapped in the vault. This shows the limited amount of senses he was able to use, but he still remained calm throughout the tragic event.

 

“It was now midnight, and my task was drawing to a close. I had completed the eighth, the ninth, and the tenth tier. I had finished a portion of the last and eleventh; there remained but a single stone to be fitted and plastered in.” (The Cask of Amontillado, 286).

I like this quote because it resembles the narrator’s true feelings towards Fortunato. Montressors “task” was to seek revenge against Fortunato because of the “thousands of injuries” he has endured from him in the past. The significance of this quote to the story is to help intrigue the audience into wanting to know what happens next. By Montressor not putting the last brick in place, it appears like he wants to watch the suffering and torture he is putting his so called “friend” through. Montressor shows that he has planned on hurting Fortunato, prior to even doing it. Also, he demonstrates that he purposely decided to intoxicate Fortunato, and therefore showing how he took advantage of his love for alcohol. This refers to how loyal of a friend he is. This quote achieves suspense because it’s a shocking end and turn out; reliving the duality of Montressors personality. This image contributes to the story because it resembles how Montressor manipulated Fortunato by leading him through the catacombs thinking that he was going  to taste the upper class Amontillado wine, but in actuality, Montressor ended up putting Fortunato in a wall.

 

“The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge.” (The Cask of Amontillado, 280).

This quote contributes to the theme of the story, which is primarily revenge. The act of revenge is shown throughout in many different ways. Despite the fact that Montressor and Fortunato seem civil, or even like best friends, Montressor opposes to show his hate for him. The meaning behind this quote is that Montressor would show insecurity towards Fortunato, but when he had the chance, he would make sure to return the favor. I enjoy this specific line because it’s a captivating hook to catch the reader’s attention. What did Fortunato do to Montressor? How will Montressor “vow revenge”? This makes the reader more attentive while reading. The significance of this quote to the story is the protagonist plans on getting back at Fortunato. As presented, the theme of the story is revenge and even horror. This literal image describes how Montressor seeked revenge on Fortunato for the pain and agony that Montrssor forced upon him. In the picture it shows how a foot is stepping on a snake purposely (portraying Fortunato) and the snake (portraying Montressor) ends up getting the last laugh by injecting its venom into the victim.

 

“And thus too, it happened, perhaps, that before the last echoes of the last chime had utterly sunk into silence, there were many individuals in the crowd who had found leisure to become aware of the presence of a masked figure which had arrested the attention of no single individual before.”(Masque of Red Death, 45).

I believe this quote demonstrates the conventions of mystery and dread because the red death plague not only caught the eye of Prince Prospero, but also the unperceptive guests attending Princes masquerade. Phrases like “utterly sunk into silence” and “leisure to become aware of” causes a dreadful feeling for the reader. I also found myself more present in a mysterious way whiling coming upon this quote because you don’t know what kind of harm the disease can do, and how life threatening. This means that readers are interested in the mystery that lies ahead. The significance of this quote to the story is everyone in the palace is informed of the disease surrounding the city, but is shocked after being told it couldn’t come in to harm them. Towards the ending of the story, Prince Prospero is said to be afraid of the red death disease itself, but encounters his fear when he ends up chasing it through the rooms of his palace; and shortly after, finds himself dead. This image represents how the red death plague is inescapable and its just a matter of time before it will inflict pain on you.