The Mountain (1849)

The Mountain is a political fable written by Edgar Allan Poe, first published in Graham's Magazine in April 1844, and later reprinted in the 1849 edition of Poe's Tales. The story explores themes of popular opinion, leadership, and the futility of popular acclaim. It centers around a vast crowd that gathers to observe a distant mountain, anticipating some momentous event or revelation. Their expectations and pronouncements shift wildly, driven by rumor and hearsay, ultimately revealing the capricious and often nonsensical nature of public sentiment. The narrative critiques the masses' tendency to be swayed by superficial appearances and unsubstantiated claims, highlighting the lack of critical thought in collective judgment. The mountain itself remains passive and unchanged, a silent observer to the fleeting passions and absurd pronouncements of the assembled crowd.