Often in literature, characters have to make important choices, even when the outcomes are equally unpleasant. This is called a dilemma, and many students will be able to identify with being stuck “between a rock and a hard place”, much like characters are in their various conflicts in a story. Have students analyze the dilemma the narrator encounters in “The Pit and the Pendulum” as they read and speculate on the potential outcomes of the narrator’s choices. Have them incorporate their findings into a storyboard like the example below.
The narrator has escaped from the pendulum, but he sees that at the moment of his escape, the pendulum stops swinging and is drawn back up to the ceiling. He knows that he is being watched now. He begins to notice the red-hot smell of the burning walls, and the movement of the walls as they change the shape of the chamber. He is afraid of the pit, but embracing the walls will also kill him.
If the narrator tries to push back against the walls or run into them, he will die, but he won’t die by falling into a dark pit.
If the narrator allows the walls to push him toward the pit, ultimately he will have no other choice but to fall over the side.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that analyzes a dilemma that a character is facing in "The Pit and the Pendulum".
Encourage students to express and defend their opinions about the narrator's choices in "The Pit and the Pendulum" by organizing a structured debate. This boosts critical thinking and helps them see dilemmas from multiple perspectives.
Outline the rules for respectful discussion and time limits before starting. Clear expectations help students stay focused and ensure everyone gets a chance to speak.
Divide students into groups representing different choices the narrator could make. Assigning roles encourages deeper analysis and lets students practice defending positions they may not initially agree with.
Ask students to use specific examples from the text to back up their arguments. This reinforces textual analysis skills and ensures discussions remain grounded in the story.
Guide students in a reflection about what they learned from hearing different viewpoints. Debriefing helps solidify understanding and encourages empathy for characters—and classmates—facing tough choices.
The core dilemma in "The Pit and the Pendulum" is that the narrator must choose between two deadly options: being forced into a deep, unknown pit or risking death by fiery, closing walls. Each choice presents its own mortal danger, highlighting the theme of agonizing decision-making under extreme pressure.
Students can analyze the dilemma by identifying the narrator's choices, discussing possible consequences, and creating a storyboard that visually outlines the conflict, options, and potential outcomes. This helps deepen understanding of character motivation and plot tension.
Quick lesson ideas include group discussions about tough choices, having students list pros and cons of each option in the story, or tasking students with creating a visual storyboard to map the narrator’s predicament and decisions.
Studying dilemmas teaches students critical thinking, empathy, and decision-making skills by allowing them to explore how characters respond to complex, high-stakes situations—skills relevant to both literature and real life.
A storyboard activity involves students dividing the narrative into sections—introduction, dilemmas, and possible outcomes—and visually representing each part. This helps students organize ideas and clearly see how the character’s choices drive the story.