To prove the authenticity, this study is compared between all of the studies mentioned in the review of related studies. After that, psychoanalysis approach is
used to answer the problem formulation. In this step, the data in this study is analyzed systematically based on the problem formulation sequences.
Finally, after the elaboration of the problem formulation, conclusions are made. The conclusions are made based on the answers that have been stated in this study.
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
There are three parts of analysis in this section. The first part is the presentation of the narrator’s characteristics. The second are the symbols seen in the story. The third part is the
revelation of the dynamic of the narrator’s unconscious mind through symbols.
A. The Narrator’s Characteristics and Point of View
In this part of analysis, the narrator as the major character becomes the vital point of the discussion.
However, before examining the narrator’s characteristics, the narrator’s point of view shall be explained first.
According to Abrams 1999 there are three types of point of view, third person, first person, and second person. This story, evidently, is a product of a
story that uses first person point of view which allows the narrator to be addressed as “I”. The evidence can be seen in the beginning of the story. “True --Nervous -
-very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?” Poe, 1992:91. From the evidence the story begins with the narrator says
“I”. Therefore, the narrator in this story is in fact first person point of view narrator.
After the point of view of the narrator had been identified, the narrator’s
characteristics can be examined as well. The narrator’s characteristics analysis
built based on his logic, dialogues, moral, and emotional values.
1. Insane
In this story, the major character is the narrator. The narrator is described as an emotionally unstable person and even can be declared insane. According to
Tierney 2002, Insanity in general definition is a person who characterized by his abnormal behavior. Moreover, his behavior is considered as a violation to a
certain moral values. The evidence of the narrator insanity lies to his strange
actions towards the old man.
“every night, about midnight, I turned the latch of his door and opened it --oh so gently And then, when I had made an opening sufficient for my
head, I put in a dark lantern, all closed, closed, that no light shone out, and then I thrust in my head. Oh, you would have laughed to see how
cunningly I thrust it in I moved it slowly --very, very slowly, so that I
might not disturb the old mans sleep.” Poe,1992:92
From the quotation above, it suggests that the narrator’s unstable emotion caused him to stalk the old man for eight nights to his bedroom only to see the old
man eye. This perverted behavior is considered abnormal, and it violates certain moral values. Therefore, the narrator is truly insane.
“…And this I did for seven long nights --every night just at midnight --but I found the eye always closed; and
so it was impossible to do the work…Upon the eighth night I was more than usually cautious in opening the door…”
Poe,1992:92-93
The narrator ’s perverted behavior can also be seen through his reason. The
narrator keeps stalking the old man for eight nights be cause of the old man’s eye
frightened the narrator. “…for it was not the old man who vexed me, but his Evil
Eye…”
Poe,1992:93.
The narrator’s fear, leads him to act irrational, and more
perverted than before. He killed the old man because of that. “He had the eye of a
vulture … Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; … I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and th
us rid myself of the eye forever.”
Poe,1992:92
2. Unreliable
The narrator’s insane characteristics lead to acknowledgement that the narrator is presented as an unreliable narrator. The narrator briefly tells his story
and motive convincingly. However, some part of the story seems irrational.
“You fancy me mad. Madmen know nothing. But you should have seen me. You should have seen how wisely I proceeded --with what caution --
with what foresight --with what dissimulation I went to work I was never kinder to the old man than during the whole week before I killed
him.” Poe,1992:92
Moreover, the narrator keeps convincing the readers that his reason is rational by saying that he uninterested with the old man’s wealth, he has no
grudge, and he even says that he has no passion to kill the old man. . ” …Object
there was none. Passion there was none. I loved the old man. He had never wronged me. He had never given me insult. For his gold I had no desire…”
Poe,1992:92. In the quotations above, the narrator claims his sanity through his stories. However, every word contradicts to the narra
tor’s manners and actions. The contradiction shows that the narrator is truly unreliable through the
intratextual signs by Nunning.
