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Edgar Allan Poe sought to portray _____ in his stories.

Option A: Romantic ideals and optimism.
Option B: Gothic horror and the darker aspects of human nature.
Option C: Utopian societies and futuristic technology.
Option D: Historical events and political intrigue.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Edgar Allan Poe is known for portraying Gothic horror and the darker aspects of human nature, as exemplified by the gloom and fatalism in his story "The Fall of the House of Usher."

Step-by-step explanation:

Edgar Allan Poe sought to portray Gothic horror and the darker aspects of human nature in his stories, making Option B the correct answer. His works are hallmarks of the Gothic literary movement, often exploring themes such as death, decay, and madness.

These elements are vividly depicted in stories like "The Fall of the House of Usher," where Poe mirrors the psychological deterioration of the characters with the physical dilapidation of the house, creating a brooding atmosphere of hopelessness and darkness.

Poe's writings are characterized by a sense of insufferable gloom that pervades throughout his narratives. This is seen in the intricate interplay of mirror reflections which serve to intensify the tone of fatalism and despair in "The Fall of the House of Usher," as well as in other stories and poems. Through such imagery and themes, Poe delves into the psyche of humanity and its inevitable doom, challenging the reader to reflect on the nature of existence and the supernatural.

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