Edgar Allan Poe: Narrative Structure in "Ligeia"

Jenny Maguire English- Americas Narrative Structure Paper 2/14/02 Known for his flowing descriptive and gothic style, Edgar Allan Poe does not appear to develop any obvious narrative structure in his work. His short stories are generally identified with the gloomy, desolate, and horrifically shocking sensations they spark within the reader. Particularly in his short story, "Ligeia," Poe seems to have done away with any sort of apparent structure within the story. Rather, he portrays it as …

…shocking. Without the acknowledgement of the opium usage, the story might be taken literally and simply pinned down as a surreal fantasy. With the knowledge that the story is told through the misty veil of opium, however, the possibility exists that the there exists no supernatural elements at all and only a narrator in a dreamy state-of-mind. Thus, although "Ligeia" seemingly lacks structure initially, its structure subsists within the interweaving of these four prevailing themes.