'The Imp of Perverse' and Animal evolution

For a recent American Literature class assignment, we were asked to write a paper on certain aspects of Edgar Allen Poe's story, 'The Imp of Perverse'. Having an interest in evolution and biology, I recognized ways in which this story and the evolution of mobile animals, and therefor humans, are linked.

Here is the paper:

I think ‘The Imp of the Perverse’ has a lot to say about humans, how we act, why we act that way. If one reads it with an open mind, it gives a lot of insight into things we may not have though about before. In the beginning of the story, the ways in which human nature is self serving are discussed; how the human brain functions in a way, weather designed or developed, which seems to naturally pick the best decisions. Many qualities which make us an advanced species are presented. Poe writes of conceptions about human nature, speculating on consistent traits, and their origins.

This is rather interesting for Poe to be writing about this during the time when he lived. From a modern perspective, he’s talking about evolution, he’s talking about how we progressed to where we are as a species. The impulse which is the main focus however, seems to break away from this theme, at least to anybody who isn’t thinking when they read this story. The impulse of the perverse (both of the perverse in that it deviates from these other self-serving traits, and in that it is a impulse exhibited by perverse humans) does not serve the human which acts on this impulse, making it inconsistent with other human consistencies. This is an idea which causes some challenge for anybody who hasn’t thought about it. In the end, though it doesn’t seem so on the surface, it is self-serving after all.

Explanation: To kill one of the same species, one of ‘your own kind’, without reason goes against evolution completely, evolution has developed all animals in a way which contradicts this. That is not to say that to kill one of the same species with reason is perverse as well, that does fit into our evolutionary guidelines. Yet somehow humans do kill others of the same without reason. Where a psychotic brain is not evil, it doesn’t always conform with what evolution has provided us, it is deranged at least in personal, inner sense, and possibly in a physical, chemical sense. This is what allows a psychotic mind to kill another of its own kind without reason. It’s a deformity of mental process. When such a killer turns himself in, when he confesses knowing full well (and fearing) the consequences, it is a fluke in his psychotic brain, a reforming of deformity, a reciprocal mutation of normal sub-conscious thought process which is acting in favor of the species at large, humanity. Still today many don’t understand this functioning, for whatever reason. We know the narrator is a psychopath because he speaks of his planning of the murder, showing his insanity. Speaking of all the ideas he’d decided against and then finding fancy in one in particular shows further his deranged character. The fact that Poe wrote a story explaining this phenomenon of human nature in 1845 is amazing to me.

To delve further into this theme of evolution (or design)… Poe also writes about the anxiety and fear those with guilt experience, which may drive them to confession, to make right, even if it hurts them individually. This is all part of the drive of the impulse. This seems like selflessness on the confessors part, but it is as science understands it, it is a self-serving trait. This wonderful characteristic which is selfish in such a good way, a beneficial way, a compassionate way. It is selflessness driven through selfish origins in the brain. It is the ultimate in perverseness.

Several conclusions can be made about the imp. The first is that it is a part of divine design which seeks the justice and welfare of general humanity. The second is that it is fluke of evolution which does not serve the individual (this conclusion I would say is absolutely false). The third is that it is a part of humanity independent of the many ‘consistencies’ (lending themselves well to superficial thinking) embedded in us by God. The last, the conclusion which I subscribe to, is that it is not a fluke, but a miracle of predictable evolution, selfish in every way, as are all traits.

Poe brings all these ideas out in perfect fashion at length before the actually story begins, leaving no room for any question as to what the reader is to look for. When the story teller begins to explain his situation, science is left behind at once and for good, the ‘story part’ of the story, is completely free of the previously discussed questions and theories and sciences. This part is completely human in our own perceived way, which makes it more relateable and more easily understood. The killer speaks of his planning of the murder, showing his insanity. Speaking of all the ideas he’d decided against and then finding fancy in one in particular shows further his deranged character and we get a sense of who this person is, again, in a truly human fashion. After all, we don’t judge people by the relation between their character and the evolution of humanity, we judge them by the relation between their character and personal, moral, and societal expectations and understandings (free from any science).

Speaking of the years that pass without guilt, the safety he felt and speaks of in an almost erotic tone, further exemplifies his insanity. This feeling of safety is true perversity, far and beyond more so than the imp! This is what makes him perverse, the imp is a perversion of his perverseness, causing him to act for good instead of evil.

On the last page, when the killer writes of the populace pursuing him through the streets, the hectic nature of the pursuit, the insanity of the human mob, and the sometimes savagely strong need for justice, become very vibrant. I can almost see the world shaking as in a movie, when random shots at various angles are shown in fast progression to a dizzy climax. This all from just a few paragraphs of prose. Now imprisoned and awaiting execution, he seems very matter-of-fact and indifferent about his situation.

Overall I think this story is more a demonstration of this human characteristic, it’s just up to us as to why the imp is what it is and where it came from. Being very interested in these subjects of human nature, evolution, and divine design, I absolutely loved this story. Discussing these issues in my head, formulating my ideas, and writing them down was equally enjoyable and challenging.

Realizations...

I realize things a lot. I think that's a good thing because it means I'm always learning and growing.
Right now I'm realizing that there's an enormous bounty of love around me, and that my friends really, really care about me.

I'm a very lucky 16 year-old. Few people as young as me appreciate how lucky they are, and, without sounding conceited, I think I'm pretty damn lucky.