The Murders in the Rue

Morgue

Structure & Form

Structure & Form

The story is divided into three sections:
an introductory section that describes analysis,
calculation, and the scientific method and also
introduces us to Dupin
a middle section that provides an example of
whats introduced in the prelude
the third section, devoted to the crime and its
solution

The Introduction/Prelude
The expository introductory section
describes the abilities that characterize
good detectives - the interplay between
ingenuity and analysis.
Prepares us for the apparently
preternatural powers of the master
detective

The Introduction/Prelude
Explains why Dupin succeeds in analyzing
the crime scene while others do not his
mental faculties are simply superior
Also introduces us to one of the main
oppositions that structure the text that
between head and body (brain vs. brawn)
The powers of the ratiocinative mind are contrasted
with the mindless acts of the orangutan

The Introduction/Prelude
Begins by rethinking the category of
"analysis."
Brute strength, once highly valued, has
given way to intellectual strength as the
most valued characteristic in humans.
The ability to calculate [use scientific
method of analysis] is good, "yet to
calculate is not in itself to analyze.

The Introduction/Prelude
Learning to play games like draughts, whist, and chess
is to learn to solve real-life puzzles (104)
These are good exercises for those who want to
cultivate their "proficiency," that is, their
"comprehension of ALL the sources whence
legitimate advantage may be derived.
In other words, all the factors that go into the game not just its abstract rules, but the body-language of
the players, the timing, counting of cards, etc., are
important. (104-105)

The Introduction/Prelude
A players logical abilities is not the only thing
that enables him to win at cards, it also has to
do with the quality of observation (Pg. 105)
He also stresses the importance of analytical
power over ingenuity (cleverness)
Poe implies that the ingenious man is a literal
reader who is oblivious to interpretive
suggestiveness, whereas the true analyst
recognizes and articulates metaphoric levels of
meaning. (105)

C. Auguste Dupin
This opposition between the head vs. body,
between the analytical vs. ingenious mind
is set up between C. Auguste Dupin and the
Prefect of the Paris police force.
Dupin employs the attributes of
ratiocination to maintain a fixed level of
control amid the chaos of a violent and
bloody moment

C. Auguste Dupin
Comes from an aristocratic family, but has
been reduced to such poverty that the energy
of his character succumbed beneath it, and he
ceased to bestir himself in the world, or to
care for the retrieval of his fortunes. (106)
Retains enough money to live as retired
recluse
Books, indeed, were his sole luxuries
Shares an apartment with the narrator

C. Auguste Dupin
He and narrator spend their days reading
books in complete seclusion without
friends or visitors
They only go out at night:
into the streets, arm in arm, continuing the
topics of the day, or roaming far and wide until
a late hour, seeking, amid the wild lights and
shadows of the populous city, that infinity of
mental excitement which quiet observation can
afford. (107)

The Narrator
We dont learn much about the narrator other than he
lives with Dupin and admires his intellect.
I felt my soul enkindled within me by the wild fervor,
and the vivid freshness of his imagination.
I felt that the society of such a man would be to me a
treasure beyond price
The only insight we get into the narrators mind is
when Dupin attempts to decipher his thought pattern.

C. Auguste Dupin
Before we are introduced to the actual
murders in Rue Morgue, Poe gives a concrete
example of the prowess of the analytical mind
of Dupin
Dupin correctly guesses that the narrator is
thinking about the actor Chantilly, while the
two were walking around Paris one night
Fruiterer street stones Stereotomy
Epicurus Dr. Nichol Orion Chantilly
Full excerpt pg. 109

Delve into Dupins Mind

Dupin begins to reveal himself to be more
than just a set of eccentric habits.
He has the ability to see the narrators
thoughts, even thoughts that appear to be
steps removed from the scene at hand.
This supernatural sense gives Dupin the upper
hand
The rest of the story will revolve around his
analytical sensitivity.

Dupins Analytical Mind

The description of Dupins process of detecting
the narrators thoughts is long and
complicated but Dupin doesnt seem to put
any effort into it, it comes naturally to him.
Dupin seems to have a mind that combines
reason and sensitivity in a way that can
understand deeper mysteries, because it is
itself mysterious.

Analytical Moments of Deduction*

Sherlock examines a crime scene (Sherlock

BBC 2010 Season 1, Episode 1 A Study in
Pink 23:00mins)

http://youtu.be/5DVJEQEdo-c