Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most recognized literary geniuses in the world; and not only for all his work, but also for his hectic life, his death and the mysterious visits of a possible admirer to his grave, in short, in addition to leaving us memorable works such as O Corvo, he has also become a figure closely linked to the mystery; a character, no doubt very attractive and interesting. In the midst of all his literary production, I would like to highlight in particular a story, William Wilson, a story that will bring us closer to the author’s subconscious and a subject that has long been discussed in literature: the myth of the double or Doppelganger.
Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19 in Boston, United States; He is considered the creator of the research report (police), the resurgence of the Gothic novel and, without a doubt, a great master of terror. Psychological terror, of those who question the human spirit, who disturb and disturb us.
- Perhaps if Poe’s life had been peaceful.
- Stable and there would have been no problems with alcohol and family.
- It would not have been the literary genius we know today.
- Poe’s life was certainly stormy; and it is this anguish and mental torture in which he lived what we see reflected in his works.
William Wilson is one of the most interesting stories in E. A. Poe. Es a story that involves a renewal of the idea of the double seen in literature; it’s a before and after. William Wilson is a story told in the first person, where he?Author?presents himself as William Wilson, although we have warned that it is a false name; the story focuses on the life of this character and a companion of the same name and surname who will pursue him throughout his life.
These two characters are unrelated, but in addition to sharing the name, they share the same physical appearance; William Wilson “double” will be the only character capable of facing the “original” William Wilson, the only one who can protect and defeat him.
Psychoanalysis, despite what may seem, can be very useful in the analysis of literary texts, especially those with the greatest symbolic burden. The interpretation of Freud’s dreams and psychopathology of everyday life presents the idea that dreams involve a release/expression of traumas related to the famous psychic structure: unconscious, preconscious and conscious. The unconscious is responsible for highlighting trauma, and Freud interpreted dreams as a vehicle for this journey through consciousness.
Literature and art have been seen as a mechanism similar to that of dreams, where authors, through metaphors and symbols, show their possible traumas. Freud gathers a series of phenomena seen in literature: the appearance of double, the dismemberment of the body, magical thought, etc.
Throughout the history of literature, we find a lot of symbols and metaphors that can be interpreted through psychoanalysis. Perhaps one of the most studied cases is the Oedipus complex; Can we find countless factual symbols, symbolic forms of the death of the father figure (elimination of the rival)?in countless poems and literary works. A good example of this would be the poem The Mother of Dámaso Alonso, and in Saturn art devouring a son of Goya, a work that has been interpreted by psychoanalysis and is linked to cannibalism, melancholy, destruction and sexual problems.
Literature is a way of entering the unconscious, and it is not something that arises in Freud, but is present throughout history. Aristotle, for example, said that watching broadcasts of Greek tragedies where real brutality is observed has triggered the purification of emotions. In literature and art, we can observe all kinds of internal conflicts, the most unpleasant, but requiring a release.
The theme of the Double is associated with the idealization of the soul, establishing a structure of duplicity manifested through mirrors, reflections (water), etc. , so when analyzing a literary or artistic work it is interesting to pay attention to these small details, which can offer us clues about the true meaning of the work.
In ancient times, we find the mythological character of Narcissus, who falls in love with his reflection in the water, one of the first examples of the theme of the double; This can also be seen in some of Plautus’ comedies. Originally, the double was seen as a comic element: confusing twins and saying something to the wrong twin, confusing situations that made us laugh, etc. However, especially with the advent of romanticism. , the idea of the evil double, the? bad twin? it will receive a dramatic treatment, leaving aside the comic perspective.
William Wilson goes beyond this drama. William Wilson’s double is not the classic evil twin, but he is a character superior to him in a way, a character who will be a kind of voice of his consciousness, is an improved version and therefore a threat to the pride of The Protagonist.
William Wilson’s first-person narration and date of birth (January 19, in addition to Poe) invite us to learn about suffering in a work of autobiographical tendencies, something that does not surprise us, given the author’s hectic life. would be a kind of consciousness for Poe, a kind of example of the inner struggle that the author experienced at all these times.
The display of personality is evident from the beginning, not only by the appearance of the double, but also by the chosen name: William Wilson. The initial “W” implies duplication in itself and is also repeated in both the first and last names; something that, given the plot of the work, was not chosen at random.
William Wilson and his double become inseparable companions; something leads him to hate him and attack him for being a threat, but at the same time he feels some appreciation for his double, for it is reflected in him. The similarities become increasingly evident, twice as much as copying. The way they dress and walk. In this sense, William Wilson is a daring character, who overcomes the legality of the “socially right”, loves excess and alcohol. His double, on the other hand, will try to sabotage Wilson’s plans.
The dual problem is a bold and profound approach to this work, the double becomes a real nightmare for the protagonist, a clear reflection of the personal conflicts of the author, the division of personality will lead to a shocking situation, full of nervousness for the protagonist and what, unsurprisingly in a work of this style, leads us to a spectacular result where , of course, the mirror figure will not be missing.
In short, a story worthy of analysis, loaded with symbolic elements, that deserves more than a simple reading and that brings us closer to the problems of Poe himself. William Wilson is an autobiographical story in which the author questions his own lifestyle and dialogues with his own conscience.
“During reading, the reader’s soul is available to the writer. “Edgar Allan Poe?