" I now see distinctly," he said, "what manner of people these maskers are. They are a great king and his seven privy-councilors--a king who does not scruple to strike a defenseless girl., and his seven councilors who abet him in the outrage. As for myself, I am simply Hop-Frog, the jester--and this is my last jest" (908).
I don't know about anyone else, but I think this passage from "Hop-Frog" shows the reader, Poe understood the wrongness of slavery and misogyny.
I was disturbed after reading "The Black Cat." I was bothered that the story was not told from the battered wife's perspective, but from her abuser's.
What make "Hop-Frog" so powerful is that it is told from the point of view of the abused. Poe's use of the kingdom imagery and symbolism speaks volumes on what I think Poe was trying to tell us about, Southern knights of old, mentality. What do you all think? Was Poe a secret abolitionist, and supporter of women's rights?
5 comments:
I think you bring up some great points Audrey but I'm not sure about your last statement. I don't think that Poe was an abolitionist or in support of women's rights but that he saw possible outcomes when certain people (like Hop-Frog in this case) got power, or outsmarted those in power. This story makes me think Poe was talking to those in power and making a point of what could happen instead of being about antislavery. Don't get me wrong, I really liked this story and was happy with the outcome but I don't think this is what Poe was going for. If the king and his seven council members were more aware of what was going on (I mean really, tar and flax - does that seem like a good idea to anyone?) they more than likely wouldn't be in the situation they are in the end.
Liz,
I posed the last question to open this subject for discussion. Well I would like to think Poe was at least as evolved as Hop Frog but I find that unlikely given his other stories.But it's clear from Poe's description of the King and his court that Poe was condemning the "fat and oily" gents.
You made me laugh, no I don't think anyone would think being tared and and covered in flax is a good idea. (what exactly is flax-cotton?)
Maybe it's wishful thinking on my part to want to see Poe as a supporter of women's rights, or an abolitionist, but Hop Frog shows that Poe was at least aware of these issues.
I really like the quote that Audrey begins here; however I do not to interpret it to be about slavery. Poe was no stranger to words and knew how to describe a scene, if not through imagery, through the identifications and actions of his characters. I think in this particular quote, Hop-Frog is merely drawing an opposition to himself. He is defining another in order to give a comparison in which we may mentally describe his station.
I also like Audrey's concentration on Poe's use of the first person singular in correlation with the abused.However, I do not believe it to be more meaningful than tales told from the abuser's perspective. The subtle variations from story to story illustrate Poe's ambidextrous talent for working, well, with the dualities of definitions, as well as with a multitude of settings, perspectives, and character developments. The complexities of which, I believe, to be among the top reasons why Poe is a pervading presence within the cannon of nineteenth century authors.
I don't think that Poe was necessarily trying to show that he was a supporter of women's rights or as an abolitionist, but those are some good thoughts to raise. Instead, I think that the story is centered around the idea of revenge. I'm not sure the exact reasoning behind why Poe wants to bring up the topic of revenge in this narrative. Any ideas?
Also, I think that there are a couple things that need to be noted in regards to Hop-Frog's actions of revenge. Firstly, he is forced to drink the alcohol and the text states that "Hop-Frog was not fond of wine; for it excited the poor cripple almost to madness; and madness is no comfortable feeling." (901) It seems evident that this excerpt relates directly to Poe for two reasons. The first reason lies within the text. Regardless of who the actual narrator is, the statement, "madness is no comfortable feeling" regarding alcohol is a Poe thought inserted directly into the text. Second is the fact that alcohol affected Poe in much the same way as it does Hop-Frog, if I'm not mistaken. That Poe wouldn't be himself and fall into a state of madness. This surely has to be relevant to the revenge actions that Hop-Frog takes.
A second thing that I want to quickly state is the fact that before the plan of revenge is spoken, or even thought, by Hop-Frog, he grinds his teeth. This action of Hop-Frog is again repeated just before he puts the fire to the "ourang-outangs." The structure of these acts is definitely relevant to the revenge.
David,
I really like what you said about "Hop Frog" being about revenge. In one of the essays I have read on Poe ( someone, I can't remember who) said that "Hop Frog" is about Poe's fear of slave uprisings. (Nat Turner) I can't say I agree with that line of thinking, but I do believe that you are on to something here with your idea that "Hop Frog" is Poe's comment on revenge.
I'm also glad you brought Hop's teeth. I think Poe was saying to know your enemy before you humiliate him and his girlfriend.
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