MOLDURAS NARRATIVAS NO CONTO O RETRATO OVALADO, DE EDGAR ALLAN POE

This article analyses the use of narrative framing in the short story The Oval Portrait by Edgar Allan Poe, aiming to understand how this technique contributes to the construction of atmosphere and reader immersion. Narrative framing, a recurring device in Gothic literature, allows for the superimposition of different layers of narration, influencing the interpretation of events and the reader’s sensory experience. This research follows a qualitative and analytical approach, using theoretical references from Genette (2017), Uspensky (2010), and Bal (2009) to examine the story’s narrative structure. The results show that the narrative framing in The Oval Portrait intensifies the effect of mystery and tension, reinforcing the duality between art and life. The juxtaposition of the two stories — that of the traveler and the painter — creates a thematic duplication effect that enhances the complexity of the plot. Furthermore, the layered structure challenges the reliability of the narrator and invites the reader to transition between different levels of fiction, increasing immersion. The analysis highlights that Poe employs narrative framing as an aesthetic device that not only structures the story but also reinforces its central themes, such as artistic obsession and its tragic consequences. Thus, this study contributes to understanding Poe’s narrative strategies and his significance within Gothic literature.