The Stephen Kings of the writing world tend to use external, often supernatural forces as their instruments of terror. With Edgar Allan Poe, the horror generally develops from the tortured mind of man. The protagonist here has lost his mind to alcoholism. Like many alcoholics, he becomes violent when in a drunken state. This is initially directed towards family pets. Extreme cruelty to animals can indicate psychopathic tendencies, and this proves true later in the story when he shows no remorse for any of his actions, including the murder of his wife. Themes: alcoholism, mental illness, brutality, death.
Original Text / PDF / Audio (3,993 words)
Video Version
This 1995 short film by directed by Rob Green is an excellent adaption of the story. If the scene where the police pull down the wall doesn’t send a tingle up your spine, nothing will. Watch and enjoy!