Edgar Allen Poe. The name evokes morbid and quite psychotic imagery just from the mere sight of it. That is, from the few stories I have read in his name. He is a man of great intelligence that cannot be denied and sadly, a man of great madness that can also not be denied. He describes feelings of innate and morbid tendencies within the human psyche, that are completely realistic, yet unfathomable to human ethics. In the few stories I have read, which include: "The Cask of Amontillado", "The Black Cat," and "The Tell-Tale Heart," I have found that there are great thematic similarities within his works. He is most obviously not a man of indifference. His stories portray the same setting and overall dark satirical feeling to the reader.
             In the "Cask of Amontillado," Poe portrays the madness of his character quite coherently. The most clearest theme in this morbid story is that of psychotic need to fulfill the all too powerful drive of revenge. The main character is vengeful toward the drunkard, Fortunato. His insulted persona has apparently taken on the bitterness of his avenger's discrepancies. He is out to kill, yet in a lovely way. Lovely, in the sense that he is completely hospitable and caring to his now apparent opponent. The theme is clear in more ways than one. Though this main character, who apparently has no name, is vengeful, spiteful, and morbid, he also has a weak and humanitarian side. This is an apparent significance to all of Poe's themes. His characters are completely disturbed, yet there is still some prevailing sanity about them.
             In the "Black Cat," the theme is probably more disturbing than any other story I have read by Poe. This theme is complete insanity. The theme to this story shows clear tendency to push the human capacity of evil. The main character is loving and caring toward his pets in the beginning, but with his ...