Overview of Edgar Allan Poe
Background
Poe may be best known for his tales of morbidity and horror but these were not his only subjects of writing. In addition to being a master of the macabre, the Poe Museum in Richmond Virginia, acclaims him as the inventor of the modern detective story and a pioneer of science fiction. Besides writing short stories and poetry he was also a literary critic whose harsh reviews often got him into trouble with the rest of the writing community (Poe Museum). Poe was born on January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts. Within three years both of his parents were dead and he was taken in by John Allan, a wealthy tobacco merchant in Richmond, Virginia. Allan would try to bring Poe up as a businessman, but Poe had early aspirations of becoming a writer in pursuit of his childhood hero, the British poet Lord Byron (Poe Museum). |
In 1826 Poe left to briefly attend the University of Virginia, after which he returned home. He again left home soon after learning of his fiancee leaving him and the increasing hostilities between him and his foster father Allan. During this time after, he published his first book Tamerlane when he was only eighteen and also began publishing his poetry (Poe Museum). After this, he attended West Point Military Academy, until he was kicked out eight months later. He then moved to New York where he published a book of poetry inspired by the Romantic movement (Meyer 726).
While moving between editorial jobs in Baltimore, Richmond, and New York he gained a reputation as a fierce literary critic. During this time he also married his thirteen-year-old cousin, Virginia Clemm, and managed to publish his only novel ever, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym (1838). In the year after, he began his work in the genre of the supernatural and morbid with his works "William Wilson" and "The Fall of the House of Usher" (Meyer). In January of 1845, he became a nationally famous writer with the publication of his poem "The Raven". Two years later his wife died of tuberculosis and after another two years he died on October 7, 1849 after a drinking binge in Baltimore, Maryland.
While moving between editorial jobs in Baltimore, Richmond, and New York he gained a reputation as a fierce literary critic. During this time he also married his thirteen-year-old cousin, Virginia Clemm, and managed to publish his only novel ever, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym (1838). In the year after, he began his work in the genre of the supernatural and morbid with his works "William Wilson" and "The Fall of the House of Usher" (Meyer). In January of 1845, he became a nationally famous writer with the publication of his poem "The Raven". Two years later his wife died of tuberculosis and after another two years he died on October 7, 1849 after a drinking binge in Baltimore, Maryland.
Style |
Recurring Themes and Symbols |
Poe's main concern when writing short stories was creating a "unity of effect" (Poe Museum). This just means that every word or element of a story should be aimed at achieving a single effect or emotional impact. His short stories usually include:
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Poe explores many of the same themes and symbols in his works:
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