“Mesmeric Revelation”: Art as Hypnosis

Humanities

Zane Gillespie¹ 

[1] Independent Scholar, Music Department, Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church, 8 Methodist Street, Holly Springs, MS 38635, USA; E-Mail

关键词: hypnosis;    percipient;    suggestion;    Mr. Vankirk;    “Mesmeric Revelation”;   

DOI  :  10.3390/h4020236

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

This article explores the relationship between percipient and the narrative purpose in Poe’s “Mesmeric Revelation”, arguing ultimately that the various questions raised by this relationship have a great deal in common with altered-state theories of hypnosis. It challenges predictable interpretations of this short story in an effort to open up a new avenue for exploring not only the art of fiction, but, by logical extension, all other branches of creative activity as well. Primary emphasis is given to the nature of the percipient's reduced peripheral awareness as (s)he appreciates a work of art, in this case, “Mesmeric Revelation”, and how, according to Poe’s “The Philosophy of Composition”, the cultivation of this focused attention lies at the heart of the most effective artistic products.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.