Question

Part A: In a well-developed paragraph analyze Poe’s theme in “The Premature Burial.” Your paragraph should state the theme in one sentence. What specific story elements (plot, setting, characters, or conflict) are essential in developing the theme? Be sure you use specifics from the text that you noted in your reading journal in writing your response. Part B: In a well-developed paragraph compare Poe’s theme in “The Premature Burial,” to something you’ve experienced, observed, or read about. Be sure to use specifics noted in your reading journal and in your response.

Answer 1

A) In "The Premature Burial," we meet a character who is terrified of being buried alive. He is so scared of this that the fear comes to dominate his entire life. The theme of the poem is the fear that people have of being isolated. The character is extremely afraid of finding himself in a situation in which he cannot call for help or have any contact with other people.

B) Something that is similar to this theme is the fear that people have of being rejected by their peers, or being left out of a social group. Although this is quite different from being buried alive, people fear being left outside of society, and ignored by everyone. A fear of isolation and lack of human contact is one of humanity's greatest fears.