the narrator mesmerizes an ill friend, m. valdemar. valdemar reports first that he is dying and then that he is dead. the narrator leaves him in a mesmeric state for seven months. during this time valdemar is without pulse, heartbeat, or breath. his skin is cold and pale. finally, the narrator tries to wake him. valdemar's swollen black tongue begs to be returned to sleep or to be fully wakened. he shouts "dead! dead!" repeatedly. the narrator takes valdemar out of the trance and his body immediately disintegrates into a "nearly liquid mass of loathsome—of detestable putrescence."