Edgar Allan Poe is one of the best-known authors in the world. Poe was known for his entertaining and enjoyable suspense and horror stories, The Pit and the Pendulum being one of them. Poe uses the title, types of figurative language, obstacles, and events throughout the text to reveal the story and create suspense, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats wanting more. We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The purpose of the title is to create suspense, to make the audience think and want to continue reading. As soon as you read the words “well” and “pendulum,” it is clear that the two words are in complete contrast. Does it give the reader a sense of curiosity as to why the title? As the audience continues reading, it is understandable that the pit is used for torture, and so is the pendulum. In addition to the purpose for which they are used, the well and the pendulum also have very deep symbolism and simple alliteration. The pendulum clearly referred to time, as it swung like a grandfather clock, and the pit could have been seen as death or hell because no one knows what will happen once one falls into it. Alliteration and symbolism were present throughout the story, not just the title. An example of symbolism in the story would be that the judges represent fate, they were the ones who chose whether to die or not. An example of alliteration would be in the sentence: "In their voracity the parasites often fixed their sharp fangs between my fingers." The alliteration used was setting a horrible tone. It intensified the way the man felt as he tried to get the rats to free him. The rats also represent hope because they were his only path to freedom. Obstacles and events, such as the man trying to free himself with the help of parasites, are the main elements that create suspense. The story begins with the first obstacle encountered by man, the death sentence. The suspense here is the lack of background knowledge as to why he was convicted. . He also faced the challenge of death while passing through the cell. He trips over his own robe and almost falls into the pit. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, The Pit and the Pendulum has many elements that make it suspenseful. The title, the use of figurative language and the challenges the man faces are what keeps the audience asking for more.