The Oval Portrait

Answer these questions.

a. Where did the narrator and his servant make forcible entrance?

The narrator and his servant made forcible entrance into a chateau in the Appennines.

b. Which special picture did the narrator notice in the room?

The narrator noticed an oval-shaped picture of a young girl in the room.

c. Describe the portrait that the narrator saw in the room.

The portrait that the narrator saw in the room was of a young girl just ripening into womanhood. It was a mere head and shoulders portrait, done in a vignette style with a rich background. The girl had a delicate and beautiful face, with a soft and gentle expression. Her hair was dark and glossy, and she wore a simple white dress. The portrait was described in great detail, and the narrator became increasingly obsessed with it as he contemplated it.

d. What is the relationship between the portrait painter and its subject?

The relationship between the portrait painter and its subject is of husband and wife.

a. What is the central theme of the story? Who is the woman depicted in the oval portrait?

The central theme of the story is the relationship between art and life. The woman depicted in the oval portrait is the young girl in the portrait. The story explores the idea that art has the power to capture and preserve life, but also suggests that this preservation can come at a cost. The narrator becomes increasingly fixated on the portrait of the young girl as he contemplates it, and eventually realizes that the woman in the painting is dying. The story implies that the woman's beauty is so powerful and alluring that it is able to draw the narrator in and consume him, leading to her ultimate demise. The story touches on themes of beauty, art, and the fleeting nature of life.

b. "The Oval Portrait" is a short horror story by Edgar Allan Poe involving the disturbing circumstances surrounding a portrait in a chateau. Elaborate.

In "The Oval Portrait," the narrator and his servant enter a abandoned chateau in the Appennines and take refuge in a small, poorly furnished apartment. The narrator becomes fixated on a number of paintings in the room, and begins to read a small volume that purports to criticize and describe them. As he reads and contemplates the pictures, he becomes increasingly delirious, and eventually notices a portrait of a young girl that he had not seen before. The portrait is described in great detail, and the narrator becomes increasingly obsessed with it.

As he continues to gaze at the portrait, he realizes that the woman in the painting is dying, and that her beauty is the cause of her demise. The story implies that the woman's beauty is so powerful and alluring that it is able to draw the narrator in and consume him, leading to her ultimate demise. The story has a disturbing and unsettling atmosphere, as the narrator becomes more and more fixated on the portrait and its subject, and the implications of the woman's death become clearer. The story also touches on themes of art and life, and the potentially destructive power of beauty.

c. "The Oval Portrait" suggests that the woman's beauty condemns her to death. Discuss.

"The Oval Portrait" suggests that the woman's beauty condemns her to death because the narrator becomes increasingly fixated on the portrait as he contemplates it, and eventually realizes that the woman in the painting is dying. The story implies that the woman's beauty is so powerful and alluring that it is able to draw the narrator in and consume him, leading to her ultimate demise.

The story explores the idea that beauty can be a double-edged sword, possessing the power to both attract and destroy. The woman's beauty is presented as a force that is both captivating and deadly, drawing in those who gaze upon it and ultimately leading to her death. The story touches on themes of art, life, and the potentially destructive power of beauty.

d. Discuss the story as a frame narrative (a story within a story).

"The Oval Portrait" can be seen as a frame narrative, as the story is told within the context of the narrator's contemplation of the portraits in the chateau. The narrative moves back and forth between the narrator's present experience in the chateau and the story of the woman depicted in the portrait, as he becomes increasingly obsessed with the painting and its subject.

The frame narrative structure allows the story to explore the relationship between art and life, as the narrator's contemplation of the portrait leads him to uncover the story of the woman depicted in it. The frame narrative also adds to the unsettling and disturbing atmosphere of the story, as the narrator becomes more and more consumed by the portrait and its subject, and the implications of the woman's death become clearer. The frame narrative structure also allows the story to play with the idea of art as a means of preserving and capturing life, while also suggesting that this preservation can come at a cost.

e. The story is told in a descriptive style, with plenty of imagery and symbolism. Which images and symbols do you find in the story?

There are several images and symbols present in "The Oval Portrait." Some examples include:

• The chateau and its gloomy, grandiose architecture: The chateau serves as a setting for the story and is described in detail, with its abandoned and temporary appearance and its intricate, bizarre architecture. The chateau's grandeur and gloom contribute to the unsettling and disturbing atmosphere of the story.
• The tapestries and armorial trophies that decorate the walls: These decorations are described as being rich, yet tattered and antique, and add to the sense of history and decay present in the chateau.
• The candles and their light: The candles serve as a source of light for the narrator as he contemplates the portrait, and their rays reveal the painting to him. The light from the candles can be seen as a symbol of enlightenment or understanding, as it allows the narrator to see and comprehend the portrait and its subject.
• The portrait and its subject: The portrait is a central image in the story and is described in great detail. It serves as a means of preserving and capturing the life of the young girl depicted in it, and also serves as a point of obsession for the narrator. The portrait and its subject explore the themes of art, life, and beauty.
• The small volume that the narrator reads: The small volume serves as a means of providing context and background information for the portraits in the chateau, and allows the narrator to learn more about them. It can be seen as a symbol of knowledge and understanding, and its contents contribute to the narrator's obsession with the portrait.

f. What does the expression “She was dead!” mean?

The expression "She was dead!" means that the woman depicted in the portrait had passed away or died. The expression is used to convey the realization that the woman in the portrait is no longer alive, and serves as a shocking and disturbing moment in the story. The expression suggests the finality and irreversibility of death, and the implication that the woman's beauty may have played a role in her demise.

Do you think there is life in art?

Yes, I think there is life in art. There are several arguments that could be made for this idea. Some possible points that could be made include:

• Art has the ability to capture and preserve life through the depiction of people, animals, and landscapes. Whether through realistic or abstract styles, art has the power to represent the world and the beings that inhabit it in a way that is meaningful and impactful. This can include capturing the physical appearance and characteristics of life, as well as the emotions, experiences, and essence of life.
• Art can be a means of expressing and exploring the full range of human experience, including the joys, sorrows, and complexities of life. Art can provide a means of communication and connection that can be deeply resonant and meaningful, and can help us to better understand and appreciate the world and our place in it.
• Art can serve as a means of preserving and honoring the past, by depicting historical events, people, and cultures in a way that is enduring and meaningful. Art can help us to remember and reflect on the lives of those who have come before us, and can provide a sense of continuity and connection with the past.
• Art can also be seen as a means of representing and exploring ideas about life and the human experience, such as through symbolism and metaphor. Art can provide a means of expressing and exploring complex and abstract concepts, and can help us to better understand and appreciate the world and our place in it.

Overall, the idea that there is life in art suggests that art has the ability to capture and preserve the essence of life in a way that is enduring and meaningful, and that it can serve as a means of communication, connection, and exploration.

As a thing of art nothing could be more admirable than the painting itself. Explain.

The statement "As a thing of art nothing could be more admirable than the painting itself" suggests that the painting in question is a highly skilled and accomplished work of art. It implies that the painting is aesthetically pleasing and has a high level of artistic merit, and that it is likely to be admired and respected by those who appreciate art.

There are many qualities that can make a painting admirable as a work of art. For example, the painting might have a high level of technical proficiency, with a skillful use of brushstrokes, perspective, and composition. The painting might also have a strong sense of design and balance, with a cohesive and harmonious use of color, shape, and line. Additionally, the painting might be able to effectively convey emotion or ideas, using symbolism, metaphor, or other artistic devices to communicate with the viewer on a deeper level.

Ultimately, the statement suggests that the painting is a highly accomplished and impressive work of art that is worthy of admiration and appreciation. It suggests that the painting has many qualities that make it stand out as a work of art, and that it is likely to be highly regarded by those who have a deep appreciation for the visual arts. Whether through its technical proficiency, expressive power, or overall aesthetic appeal, the painting is a work that is likely to be admired and respected by art lovers and critics alike.

A more intense look at the painting reveals the illusion. Have you noticed any such painting?

Yes, I have noticed the Mona Lisa painting, and it is an example of a painting that reveals an illusion upon closer examination. The Mona Lisa is a famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci that is known for its enigmatic subject, subtle smile, and skillful use of perspective and shading.

A more intense look at the Mona Lisa reveals the illusion of three-dimensionality on the two-dimensional surface of the painting. The use of subtle shading and gradations of color creates the illusion of depth and volume, and the depiction of the subject's clothing and the landscape in the background further contribute to this effect. The painting also uses the principles of perspective to create the illusion of space and distance, with the subject's face and hands appearing to recede into the distance.

Overall, the Mona Lisa is an example of a painting that reveals an illusion upon closer examination, through the use of perspective, shading, and other techniques to create the illusion of three-dimensionality on a two-dimensional surface.