hedonism

• unbridled hedonism? 1

  Poe’s characters and settings embody the key Gothic formula, portraying themes of excess and indulgence, reflecting societal attitudes of the era. Poe’s use of evocative imagery in the line “Many books and musical instruments lay scattered about, but failed to give any vitality to the scene,” Here, Poe utlises imagery to critique the over self-indulgence, where material possessions and pursuits become mere ornaments devoid of genuine meaning.
• unbridled hedo 2?

  Instead of enriching the scene the “scattering” of “books and musical instruments” act as hollow symbols of excess, highlight the emptiness associated with unchecked hedonism. This served as a stark warning, suggesting that unbridled hedonism can corrode human nature leading to decadence.   The objects represent society’s superficial engagement with culture and intellect, lacking genuine reflection or appreciation, and ultimately contributing to the emergence of a debauched subculture plagued by immorality.