How Does Edgar Allan Poe Use Power In Literature

Power is the demise of the world. For example, after Hitler rose to power, he was only seen abusing it. He annexed countries, killed innocent civilians, and started a world war. His misuse of power overall cost over fifty million lives. This may be in the past, but the abuse of power is still prevalent to today.Similar to how power is seen in literature as constantly being exploited by numerous people. Thus, leading to the verdict that the literature analyzed this course consists of power being abused.
Power can be displayed in literature to harm or even in some occasions, to kill. Edgar Allan's Poe's short story“The Cask of Amontillado”, showcases Montresor using power to get revenge in the form of death. Montresor confesses “the thousand

This can be seen in Douglass’ childhood when he was taken away from his mother, like many other black children who were raised into slavery. Power is abused to separate African American kids from their mother “to hinder the development of the child's affection toward its mother and to blunt and destroy the natural affection of the mother for the child” (931). In other words, slave owners abuse their power by taking part in inhumane techniques to make the perfect slave. This type of power can also be seen during Douglass’ adulthood when he starts working for Mr. Covey. Mr. Covey is known for deceiving and using power to only benefit himself. To the point that he commits the crime of “compelling his woman slave to commit the sin of adultery” (958). Douglass goes on to describe how Covey’s woman slave is the only female slave, due to the fact that Covey bought her to only be a breeder (958). Not only does Mr. Covey gain money by only having one female slave, but he also gains money from selling the babies she gives birth to. Covey is a prime example of how slave owners will do just about anything with the power they possess to benefit