19th Century: Life and Death
Life is pleasant. Death is Peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome.
-Isaac Asimov
-Isaac Asimov
"Life and Death As Seen Far and Near"
appeared in a magazine in 1886. When viewing this image, you can see either a skull,
or two children holding a dog.
Life Cycles: 19th Century Views on Life and the Afterlife
The Nineteenth Century brought about many new views of life and death for Americans. However, the most prominent views and beliefs followed the major religion, Christianity. Darwinism was also making its great debut during the Nineteenth Century alongside Theosophy. Each of the major views, whether just being unveiled or being a common practice, gave an explanation for life and the circle it follows, or the life after death. The following paragraphs give a slight insight into the three prominent views of the Nineteenth Century.
Christianity
The belief that life after death brought about a heaven and hell was the most widely accepted belief during the Nineteenth Century. Christianity is the label that has been recognized by the secular and church-world to describe the practice of faith by the followers of Jesus Christ. During the Nineteenth Century, a little over sixty-five percent of America believed that the life after death would bring about an eternal state with a God.
Darwinism
Darwinism came about in the mid-century, after Charles Darwin released his book called On the Origin of Species and sought to explain the evolution of species. Darwin's theory did not have an explanation for life after death; however, it did give great detail about species and their evolution throughout history. The evolution of life was new for the people in the Nineteenth Century, and this theory explained the cycle that life had taken in the past. Because it was so new, the theory was not followed by many people.
Theosophy
The final of the three main views and beliefs during the Nineteenth Century. Just like Darwinism, Theosophy was new and people were only exploring the subject. The Theosophical Society was founded by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Henry Steel Olcott, and William Quan Judge in 1875.It sought to simply explore humanity and evolve to a perfection. Followers of Theosophy have certain beliefs and views regarding life and death; however, they seek mostly to search during their lifetime for the "truth".
Edgar Allan Poe and Life Cycles
Throughout his poems, tales and short stories, Edgar Allan Poe used various allusions and metaphors that refer to Life Cycles and the Afterlife. Through "The Masque of the Red Death", "Eldorado" and the "Bells", Poe was able to take, not only his views, but, the views on Life Cycles and the Afterlife of his readers and incorporate them into his writings.
"Masque of the Red Death"
"The Masque of the Red Death" is a short story by Poe describing Prince Prospero, his castle, and the Red Death. The Red Death is both a literal and symbolical meaning of death. In the fourteenth century, there was an epidemic of the Bubonic Plague in Europe and parts of Asia. The Red Death, as described by Poe, shares many of the traits of the Bubonic Plague. The results of the Bubonic Plague were a short-lived life and, in the end, the death of many people.
Also, in "The Masque of the Red Death", there are seven rooms in the Prince's castle that demonstrate the phases of life. The colors from the easternmost room to the westernmost are: blue, purple, green, orange, white, and violet. The westernmost room is black with red windows, and contains a clock that is essentially counting down and running out of time. The colors portray and smybolize different parts of life. The final room, however, represents death. At the end of the short-story, Prince Prospero runs through each room of the castle, from east to west - also symbolizing the track of the sun across the sky and the cycle of the day - ending in the black and red room. It is almost as if the Prince's life is "flashing before his eyes." The entire short-story, "The Maque of the Red Death", shows that no mortal can escape death and that death is an ultimatum everyone and everything must face.
Also, in "The Masque of the Red Death", there are seven rooms in the Prince's castle that demonstrate the phases of life. The colors from the easternmost room to the westernmost are: blue, purple, green, orange, white, and violet. The westernmost room is black with red windows, and contains a clock that is essentially counting down and running out of time. The colors portray and smybolize different parts of life. The final room, however, represents death. At the end of the short-story, Prince Prospero runs through each room of the castle, from east to west - also symbolizing the track of the sun across the sky and the cycle of the day - ending in the black and red room. It is almost as if the Prince's life is "flashing before his eyes." The entire short-story, "The Maque of the Red Death", shows that no mortal can escape death and that death is an ultimatum everyone and everything must face.
"The Bells"
"The Bells" is a poem by Poe containing four stanzas, each of which describing a different type of bell. The bells, in the poem, begin as merry and full of excitement. In the second stanza, the bells are described as wedding bells and they bring joy and happiness; they move into the third stanza where the bells are horrifying and terrible. In the final stanza the bells are solemn and melancholy. "The Bells" are symbolic of the various stages of life and the emotions that are brought along with each stage. For example, in the second stanza, the bells are wedding bells. The wedding bells describe a stage in life that tends to be toward the beginning of life, but not the very beginning of it. Also, at the end of the poem, the bells are solemn and melancholy in order to describe and portray death. They can either describe the death of a loved one or one's own death.
Throughout each stanza, the make of the bells also changes. In the beginning of the poem, the bells are made of silver, signifying beauty and strength. In the second stanza, the bells are golden; while in the third stanza, the bells are brass. The final stanza of the poem, the bells have become iron. Both the make and the color of the bells can describe separate stages of life. While the bells are golden, they are very malleable and able to be shaped and molded, showing that in this stage of life, it can be molded into whatever one wishes. The gold is also showy and bright. However, while the bells are iron, they are strong and unchangeable. This portrays the end of life because it has already been lived and nothing can be changed. Through "The Bells", Poe is able to show the cycle of life by portraying the sounds, look, and make of the bells.
Throughout each stanza, the make of the bells also changes. In the beginning of the poem, the bells are made of silver, signifying beauty and strength. In the second stanza, the bells are golden; while in the third stanza, the bells are brass. The final stanza of the poem, the bells have become iron. Both the make and the color of the bells can describe separate stages of life. While the bells are golden, they are very malleable and able to be shaped and molded, showing that in this stage of life, it can be molded into whatever one wishes. The gold is also showy and bright. However, while the bells are iron, they are strong and unchangeable. This portrays the end of life because it has already been lived and nothing can be changed. Through "The Bells", Poe is able to show the cycle of life by portraying the sounds, look, and make of the bells.
"Eldorado"
"Eldorado" is also a poem by Poe, signifying the cycle of life, along with a view into the afterlife. This poem contains four stanzas, each of which portrays a "gallant knight" on a journey in search of Eldorado, the City of Gold.
In the first stanza of the poem, Poe simply describes the knight on his search for Eldorado. There is sunshine, showing that there are no problems in the knight's way. The first stanza is seemingly happy; however, the second stanza begins to portray the knight as old and tired. He has spent his life in the search of Eldorado to no avail. The knight has grown weary, and in the third stanza, the recurring image of the shadow, is brought to life when the knight asks where the land of Eldorado is. The shadow replies with, "Over the Mountains/ Of the Moon,/ Down the Valley of the Shadow." The "Valley of the Shadow" is a portrayal of death and can be found Psalm 119 of the Bible. Essentially, the shadow is saying that the only way to reach the land of Eldorado is through death. By reaching the afterlife, the knight has reached Eldorado, the City of Gold. "Eldorado" symbolizes one's search throughout life in order to reach the ultimate goal. Poe is able to portray his recurring image of life cycles and the afterlife through "Eldorado".
In the first stanza of the poem, Poe simply describes the knight on his search for Eldorado. There is sunshine, showing that there are no problems in the knight's way. The first stanza is seemingly happy; however, the second stanza begins to portray the knight as old and tired. He has spent his life in the search of Eldorado to no avail. The knight has grown weary, and in the third stanza, the recurring image of the shadow, is brought to life when the knight asks where the land of Eldorado is. The shadow replies with, "Over the Mountains/ Of the Moon,/ Down the Valley of the Shadow." The "Valley of the Shadow" is a portrayal of death and can be found Psalm 119 of the Bible. Essentially, the shadow is saying that the only way to reach the land of Eldorado is through death. By reaching the afterlife, the knight has reached Eldorado, the City of Gold. "Eldorado" symbolizes one's search throughout life in order to reach the ultimate goal. Poe is able to portray his recurring image of life cycles and the afterlife through "Eldorado".
