William Wilson by Edgar Allan Poe
The narrative revolves around a young man who shares the same name as his doppelganger, an unscrupulous and manipulative individual who haunts him throughout his life. The protagonist's obsession with his double stems from their identical appearance and shared name, leading to a series of eerie encounters that blur the lines between reality and fantasy.
By Edgar Allan Poe · First published 1842 · Genre: Psychological Horror, Gothic Fiction, Dark Fantasy · 9,351 words
First lines
What say of it? what say of conscience grim,
That spectre in my path?
What this Textopian page supports
William Wilson is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edgar Allan Poe, dated 1842 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Edgar Allan Poe
- Date: 1842 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Psychological Horror, Gothic Fiction, Dark Fantasy, Coming-of-Age, Tragedy
- Length: 9,351 words
- Structure: 1 section, 58 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for William Wilson by Edgar Allan Poe
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering William Wilson?
- How does this novel by Edgar Allan Poe fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Psychological Horror first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Psychological Horror — The narrative explores the protagonist's internal struggles, identity crisis, and descent into madness, embodying elements of horror through psychological conflict.
- Gothic Fiction — The setting features dark, eerie environments and themes of duality, isolation, and the supernatural, characteristic of Gothic literature.
- Dark Fantasy — The story incorporates fantastical elements, such as the doppelgänger motif, blending reality with the supernatural.
- Coming-of-Age — The protagonist's journey reflects themes of growth, identity, and moral development, typical of coming-of-age narratives.
Tags
Psychological Thriller · Guilt Complex · Split Personality · Identity Crisis · Madness · Obsession · Doppelganger · Double Identity · Fear of Oneself · Self-Loathing · Inner Turmoil · Dark Fantasy