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“The chateau … was one of those piles of commingled gloom and grandeur which have so long frowned among the Appennines, not less in fact than in the fancy of Mrs. Radcliffe.”

This excerpt comes from the very first sentence of the story. The narrator’s reference to the English novelist and pioneer of Gothic fiction Ann Radcliffe reveals a familiarity with, and admiration of, darkness and horror. Moreover, by assuming the reader’s familiarity with Radcliffe, his description also hints at the more general allure of that which is dark and fearsome.

“The cause of my deep agitation being thus shut from view, I sought eagerly the volume which discussed the paintings and their histories.”

This quote is part of the rising action, just before the narrator learns the chilling origins of the oval portrait. He has described his reaction to seeing the portrait as appalling and agitating, yet eagerly seeks to learn more. The narrator is scared and horrified, yet fascinated and captivated, which demonstrates an irresistible attraction to horror.

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