3-2 Journal_ThePurloinedLetter (1)
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English
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Apr 3, 2024
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Uploaded by MasterPigeonPerson1046
Brady 1
Nadia L Brady
ENG 300
Prof. Adam Meehan
28 Jan. 2024
3-2 Journal
Finding Meaning in Meaninglessness: “The Purloined Letter”
A deconstructive reading of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Purloined Letter" reveals a complex interplay of binaries and the illusory nature of assumed privileges. One binary evident in the story is the dichotomy between knowledge and ignorance. The police, represented by the prefect,
presume their superior knowledge and investigative skills, assuming that they can easily solve the case. As the story unfolds, Dupin challenges this assumption by employing a different approach that disrupts their position. The police, initially believing that Minister D——‘s residence would be the obvious hiding place for a hidden letter, conduct a thorough search but fail to locate the letter. This failure exposes the illusory nature of the Minister's power and the assumption that they would hide the letter in an expected location.
Applying deconstructive theory to the text shows that binaries such as knowledge vs. ignorance and power vs. powerlessness are not fixed or hierarchical. The story challenges police privilege, highlighting the limitations of their methods. Dupin's alternative approach disrupts these binaries, demonstrating that privileged positions can be questioned. Poe's story is shaped by deconstruction, questioning traditional power structures and binary oppositions. The reader is challenged to reevaluate accepted truths and recognize the instability of privileged appearances.
Brady 2
Works Cited
Bertens, Hans. Literary Theory: The Basics, 3rd Edition. Routledge, 2017-07-14. VitalBook file.
"Literary Theory," by Vince Brewton,
The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
, ISSN 2161-
0002, https://iep.utm.edu/, 20, Jan. 2024.
Poe, Edgar Allan. The Purloined Letter
. D.H. Knowlton & Co., 1845.
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