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The narrator is a deep thinker whose contemplation of art illuminates the story’s major themes and drives the plot. The narrator is immediately drawn to and fascinated by the chateau because of its Gothic style, comparing it to something out of an Ann Radcliffe novel. This detail reveals that he is a well-read and intelligent man. He notes that the chateau is typical of many of the grandiose homes that have been built along the Apennines, illustrating his knowledge of history as well. His descriptions of the interior of the chateau are rich and detailed, like the interior itself, and illustrate a deep appreciation for the antique style. By choosing a dark and remote room in a high turret of the building, the narrator demonstrates his attraction to darkness and solitude. His need for isolation complements his love for consuming art and literature, and it leads to his investigation of the bedroom paintings, an action that propels the plot forward. The narrator’s sensitivity causes him to be deeply affected by the oval portrait. It is his curiosity and investigation into the origins of the portrait that reveal its history and leads to an exploration of the story’s main ideas and its shocking conclusion.

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