Ethical Dilemmas in Research and Literary Analysis of Poe

Ethical Debates: Use of Animals in Biomedical Research

This section addresses key ethical questions and counterarguments surrounding the use of animals in scientific experimentation.

Pause and Reflect on Animal Benefits

Explain how animals might benefit from research conducted on other animals. Does this fact strengthen the case for experimenting on animals?

Statement: If animals are tested, and positive results are gathered, and the animal does not suffer, the practice is generally considered acceptable.

Critique from Animal Rights Activists

What critique do animal rights activists offer in response to current practices?

Animal rights activists state that this practice involving animals is no longer necessary due to alternative testing methods.

Counterarguments to Ethical Concerns

Not only animals are used as test subjects; humans also undergo painful experimentation in certain contexts.

Analyzing the Total Ban Critique

Underline the critique of the idea of a total ban on research that causes animals to suffer and die. Is this critique effective?

Analysis: It is effective because it shows how a total banning action can be dangerous, potentially halting crucial medical progress.

Seeking a Reasonable Balance

Do you think most people can agree on a “reasonable balance” between making research progress and protecting animals from unnecessary suffering?

Response to the Animal Welfare Movement

What counterargument is made in response to the animal welfare movement?

The counterargument suggests that animal welfare should not be considered more important than alleviating human suffering and pain.

Literary Analysis: The Pit and the Pendulum

This section provides an analysis of Edgar Allan Poe's classic horror story, focusing on themes, symbolism, and narrative structure.

• The Latin poem at the beginning gives the story a mysterious touch and suspense, connecting it with the reality and history of the Spanish Inquisition.
• The narrator sees the judges say his name but doesn't hear them. He begins to think about death, feeling lost and without sensation.
• Fainting, dreaming, and death are events in which the body and mind are unaware of the outside world, suggesting that not all is lost.

Key Concepts and Definitions

Lucid Reason of a Later Epoch:

This means that when the narrator thought clearly, he realized he had been unconscious.

Poe's Words (Quote):

"Very suddenly there came back to my soul motion and sound. . . Then a pause in which all is blank. Then again sound, and motion, and touch. . ."

Paraphrase:

He loses his consciousness for a few seconds, but then quickly regains it.

What is the Most Hideous of Fates?

To end up in a dungeon, left to die slowly.

Description of the Pit

• The pit was located inside the dungeon and is described as being filled with water.
• The narrator compares the pit to a mouth, symbolizing consumption and inescapable doom.
• The narrator initially thinks it is impossible to escape the dungeon.