Edgar Allan Poe: An Examination of Truth in Literature

Conventional wisdom reminds people that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." This statement is accurate because ideal beauty is defined in each individual mind. An individual's opinion of beauty is similar to their idea of truth. The idea of that which is true is classified by the person's point of view. A person's perspective is their truth. Edgar Allan Poe's "A Tale of the Ragged Mountains" elucidates how conflicting truths can exist simultaneously.

The conflicting truths in "A Tale of the Ragged Mountains" are implicit. Like many instances in mysterious literature, this story does not provide the reader a clear outcome at the conclusion of the tale. The reader is left to sort through the various possibilities to come to an individual conclusion. Poe remains neutral throughout the story, and he uses language not only to reveal different truths but also to conceal an absolute truthful answer for the reader.

For example, much of this story is focused on Bedloe's opinion of what happened on his journey in the mountain. When Bedloe finds the gorge, he notices "the solitude seemed absolutely virgin" (681). So convinced of his pristine find, he "could not help believing that the green sods and the gray rocks upon which I trod had been trodden never before by the foot of a human being" (681). Comparing the quiet field to an untouched virgin, Bedloe intuitively knows he is the first traveler "who had ever penetrated its recesses" (681). Poe consistently uses language which would be associated with a virgin's lost innocence to illustrate Bedloe's belief in his uncharted find. Bedloe's truth is convincingly created in his consistent mindset. The reader sees the continuity in his thoughts.

In addition to Bedloe's truth, the reader is shown another truth. Unveiled towards the end of the story, Dr. Templeton's truth comes into focus. Admitting he finds a "likeness of a dead friend-a Mr. Oldeb" in Bedloe, Dr. Templeton reveals he believes Bedloe's "vision" is the link that actually connects the two men (685). Wanting to confirm this link, which began in his mind, Templeton tells Bedloe "of this party, I was one, and did all I could to prevent the rash and fatal sally of the officer who fell" (686). Templeton offers proof as he tells Bedloe, "You will perceive by these manuscripts" (686). Implicitly sharing Templeton's grief, Poe does not specifically commit to the details of Templeton's story.

The unnamed narrator reveals his own truth as he expresses deep concern over the "rapport, or magnetic relation" between Bedloe and Dr. Templeton (680). The narrator expands on his apprehension as he believes the "power itself had attained great intensity" and "only at the twelfth