Help with Literature c/o The Pit and the Pendulium

Question

I enjoy this story but I need help explaining these two phrases,

 

 

 

1.  "and now, as I still continued to step continously, onward, there came thronging upon my recollection a thousand

vague rumors of the horrors of Toledo."

 

 

 

 

2.  "this was a lesson which I took desperately to heart.  My every move was undoubtedly watched.  Free! - I had

but escaped death in one form of agony, to be delivered unto worse than death in some other".

 

thanks

 

 

 

Answer 1

The Pit and the Pendulum is a story of terror perpetuated by the Inquisition. There were rumors and accounts of tortures of such sadistic cruelty as sane men could never comprehend. The victim narrating the account of his own torturous situation is, at that moment, involuntarily recalling things he had previously learned and heard of the goings on in the Toledo dungeons where he presently finds himself.. In his already terrified state and in complete darkness, these thoughts are a torture of their own.

In your second part of the question the victim had just escaped certain, slow, agonizing death by meer seconds by shear whit and daring. When the pendulum stopped and was drawn away so quickly after his escape, he realized he was being watched by some invisible entity in the rooms above. He would have to be more cunning if he were to hang on to any hope in this doomed situation. He had but a brief moment before he knew an even worse form of agony would commence.

Edgar Allen Poe is one of my favorite authors. The Tell Tale Heart is my favorite.

Please feel free to contact me for further discussion or a lesson.