The Oval Portrait Essay Example

described as a “passionate” man, even more so for his art.

The painter grows to “adore” his work, and becomes so “overwhelmed” by his work, he can no longer see his wife except though the “views of his painting”, “rarely turning is eyes from the canvas. ” Finally, Poe references unity of effect throughout “The Oval Portrait. ” Unity of effect is manifested through every element of this story helping create a single emotional impact. Poe does this by describing the terminal love between the painter and his wife. Throughout the story the wife is alluded to as a candle. Poe describes the “spirits” of the lady as the “flickering” of candle flame.

The painter is described to have more “passion” and “love” for his “work” than for his wife, making her “flicker” like a candle flame. Due to the “passion” and “love” for the painting, the painter is in a hypnagogic state. A hypnagogic state is the experience of a transitional state from wakefulness to sleep, also known as daydreaming. Being in this hypnagogic state, it causes the painter to vision his wife as the lady in the painting, by their “resemblances. ” After the passing off of “many weeks” the painter “gazed” and grew “tremulous” and “aghast” by the oval portrait on the wall.

In a loud voice he says, “This is indeed Life itself. ” As the painter says those words he glances over at his wife and, “she was dead. ” After he turns and realizes his wife is dead, her spirit transfers into the lifelike painting. The effect of horror is developed throughout the short story “The

Oval Portrait. ” The setting of the story exposes horror through the setting; obsession the painter has with the oval painting on the wall, and through the terminal love between the painter and his wife. Poe references Gothic elements; diction and unity of affect through the story, creating the horrific story, “The Oval Portrait. ”