Toward Understanding Poe’s Spiral Narrative Line

Edgar Allan Poe’s narrative way is thought-provoking and his particularnarrative technique is reflected by the construction of story. Based on the reviews ofthe related and available studies home and overseas, by the method of close readingand the support of some feasible and relevant narrative theories, this thesis studiesPoe’s spiral narrative line.Firstly, the content of Poe’s works shows objective and abstract arabesquemotif. Structurally, Poe adopts the variant of arabesque, the spiral narrative line.Except for form-obliterating and kinetic features, the spiral narrative line finishes itsself-construction by an invisible center. These all make narrative becomes special.Secondly, Phalen’s rhetoric narrative and Jakobson’s metaphoric constructiongive the theoretical support to do close reading. this thesis finds two-dimensionalspiral narrative line and three-dimensional spiral narrative line in that two talesrespectively, the unity of circuitous and advancing development of plot and theinteraction among narrator, narratee, character, reader and implied author.Thirdly, the spiral narrative line is greatly influential. Through the metaphoricconstruction of plot and shattered identity, this narrative line makes the textualmeaning indeterminate and the set of plot more concealed, which leaves a greatspace for readers’ interpretation and makes reading experience more interesting.Lastly, Poe’s special narrative charm is closely related to his spiral narrativeline and his philosophy of universe and unity. And the study of spiral narrative linehelps enrich the studies of spatial narrative.