The Fascinating Edgar Allan Poe
analytical Essay
1294 words
Edgar Allan Poe, an often misinterpreted literary mastermind, known predominantly by his extraordinary tales of horror, forbidden love, madness, and mystery, is more than meets the eye. Though his genres of expertise may indicate otherwise, Poe was a very social person, a gentleman by trade, and he possessed more hands-on military experience than any other major American author in history. As a writer, Poe gained a great deal of his inspiration from his surroundings. His enlistment in the army contributed significantly to his repertoire, and inspired some of his greatest works, including “’The Gold Bug;’ ’The Man Who Was Used Up,’ a satire of southern frontier politics; ‘The Balloon Hoax,’ set along the mid-Atlantic Carolinas coast; ‘The Oblong Box,’ involving a voyage out of Charleston harbor; [and] ‘The Cask of Amontillado,’ possibly based on a Fort Independence/Castle Island Legend”(Beidler, Soldier 342). The death of his mother and his unfortunate love life played another major role in his authoring, giving him the ability to write about “. . . the intense symbiosis between love and hatred . . . [illustrating that] love is seldom as simple or as happy as popularly hoped” (Hoffman 81). Poe’s chilling tales remain popular today, and have a long history of providing inspiration for major books and other cultural staples of entertainment.
On January 19, 1809, Edgar Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts. His mother, Elizabeth Arnold Poe, a beautiful English actress, died on December 8, 1811, in Richmond, Virginia. Poe believed he inherited his talent for reciting verse primarily from his mother. He perceived her in a nearly angelic light, and his many attempts to find a woman that could equate to her memory are etched into his poet...
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...d disdain for democracy in some of his most notable work, such as “The Man That Was Used Up”(1839) and “The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether”(1842). After more than 150 years, the bizarre death of Edgar Allan Poe and the days leading up to it remain under speculation. The events prior to his final breath stage a dark and unfortunate mystery, worthy of Poe himself.
Poe’s frightening stories acts as helpful inspiration for entertainment in the present, and for many years to come. The timeless relevance of his work, and its merciless scrutiny of the human condition, solidifies its place in history and its position of high admiration. In conclusion, the extraordinary-fleeting-tragic life of Edgar Allan Poe will forever remain on record as the tale of an orphan, a gentleman, a soldier, and one of the most prominent literary figures in American history.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that edgar allan poe was a social person, gentleman by trade, and possessed more hands-on military experience than any other major american author in history. his enlistment in the army contributed significantly to his repertoire.
- Explains that edgar poe was born in boston, massachusetts, and his mother, elizabeth, died in richmond, virginia. his father, david, jr., deserted the family after elizabeth's passing, leaving edgar, henry and rosalie orphans.
- Narrates how poe's family returned to richmond in 1820, where he finished his early education. john allan, wealthy through his inheritance, sent him off to the university of virginia.
- Describes how poe entered the u.s. army under the alias of twenty-two-year-old edgar a. perry. he was recognized as a great enlisted soldier for his aptitude, military expertise, and decorum.
- Explains that poe was older than the other cadets and didn't take easy to the drills. however, a rekindling of hostilities with allan marked his downfall at west point.
- Explains that poe's military career ended with the publication of his first three books of poetry, tamerlane and other po
- Narrates how poe was forced to reach out to his relatives in baltimore for help after his departure from west point. maria clemm, his aunt, took him into her home and became another mother to him.
- Analyzes how poe bounced around from city to city, one job after another; he appeared to fall into an ongoing pattern of self-destructive behavior, personally and professionally.
- Narrates how virginia suffered a burst blood vessel in 1842, adding to poe's financial and emotional stress. her mother-in-law stepped in to help the couple.
- Analyzes how poe proposed to mrs. sarah whitman in 1847, but the engagement ended after sarah's family disapproved. he was found in a fatal state of exhaustion and alcoholic stupor on october 7, 1849.
- Concludes that the extraordinary-fleeting-tragic life of edgar allan poe will forever remain on record as the tale of an orphan, gentleman, soldier, and one of the most prominent literary figures.
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- The Great Edgar Allen Poeanalytical essayEdgar Allen Poe is an author that just about anyone and everyone around the globe can either quote or say that they have heard of; Nonetheless, from his amazing works to his unexpected and strange death, Mr. Poe is a man that everyone is familiar with. Mr. Poe has some very interesting points in his life, which are very much worth conversing over, starting from his tragic beginning and slowly but surely making it to his undoubtedly deserved fame but it was then cut short when the last chapter of his life’s book was at its end.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that edgar allen poe is an author that everyone knows about, from his amazing works to his unexpected and strange death. he has some interesting points in his life, which are worth conversing over.
- Explains that edgar allen poe was born in 1809 in boston, massachusetts to a family of actors. he was one of three children who were left homeless after their mother died.
- Explains that kenneth silverman has written a very interesting statement that states that edgar was not provided with as much emotional care as he was financially.
- Analyzes how allen provided less richly emotionally, resented others who had been raised more liberally and preached a demanding code of manly independence.
- Describes how poe was exposed to rigorous education in a couple of different boarding schools, which were later described as lonely and unhappy. these depressing times for edgar were soon ended by the collapse of the london tobacco market.
- Explains that poe was talented in both the english and the physical department of life. his ambition led him to become infatuated with jane standard, the mother of his schoolmate.
- Analyzes how john allen refused to pay the debts of his adopted son, which threatened to send poe to the slammer.
- Analyzes how elmira is free to move back onto poe, but the husband that her father arranged for her has already passed, and the fates have decided that they shall marry.
- Opines that poe was a man that liked to look presentable but not over the top edgy like today’s celebrities. he was taken to hospital to be cared for at once but to no avail.
- Explains that edgar allan poe is an american poet and biographer. the european graduate school - media and communication, graduate & postgraduate studies program.
- Cites silverman, kenneth, and american national biography online. poe, edgar allan.
- Describes walsh's midnight dreary: the mysterious death of edgar allen poe.
- Explains that jennie yabroff, "deranged and in demand: edgar allan poe’s life story | biography | biographile."
1201 wordsRead More - Edgar Allan Poe Essaynarrative essayThe Tell Tale Heart, the Raven, Murders in the Rue Morgue. You might have known Edgar Allan Poe as the famous author, poet, editor, and critic. He was a man of mystery, a man of suspense. His works often reflected his troubles and losses in life. Taking a more gothic style of writing, he was a strange and peculiar man. But, did you know he took part in enlisting in the military, or that his death is unknown? Reading this essay, you will find out that there were many more things to Edgar Allan Poe that you might not have suspected. And the horrific events that occurred in his life, he turned into masterpieces, which we read to this day.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that edgar allan poe was a man of mystery and suspense. his work often reflected his troubles and losses in life. he took part in enlisting in the military or that his death is unknown.
- Narrates how edgar allan poe was born on a cold day in boston, massachusetts, on january 19, 1809, and storming in the boston harbor. his parents split in when edgar was one.
- Narrates how edgar allan poe was baptized in the episcopal church in 1812 when he was three. his foster father, john, sold tobacco, cloth, wheat, tombstones, and slaves.
- Explains that poe was bullied at school because his parents had worked in the theatre, which at the time was a shameful career choice.
- Explains that poe attended the university of virginia, founded by thomas jefferson, with strict rules, high chaos, and huge dropout rates. he lost in touch with his high school love, sara elmira royster, who was almost engaged.
- Explains that poe was a good student and spent much of his time in the temporary library. he played seven-up and loo at mosby's, and rolled dice at the local tanner’s shop.
- Analyzes how poe's story had a humorous character named "gaffy" and he threw the manuscript into the fire. a literary critic said that the hero’s name appeared to many times in the plot.
- Analyzes how poe's gambling became out of hand and soon he was high in debts. he had no money to take care of himself, and no way to pay for his classes.
- Narrates how poe sent letters to elmira royster after leaving the university. the letters were unanswered because her family lived near the allan's.
- Narrates how poe enlisted in the us army as a private in may 1827. he served two years and was rewarded the rank of sergeant major for artillery.
- Narrates how poe went to westpoint as a cadet in 1830 and married his second wife, louisa patterson. the foster father disowned him after many fights over the affairs with allan.
- Narrates how poe won a contest on "the manuscript found in a bottle" and moved to richmond with his aunt mrs. clemm and virginia. he joined george r. graham to be editor for graham's magazine.
- Narrates how poe married his cousin, virginia eliza clemma, on september 22, 1835, and they grew up happily together.
- Narrates how poe left graham’s magazine to start his own magazine. virginia's health was worsening as her lungs weakened, and he wrote endlessly about death.
- Narrates how poe moved back to new york city in 1844 and became the editor of broadway journal and later, sole owner of the raven on the evening mirror.
- Describes how virginia and poe moved to a smaller house in the outskirts of philadelphia, where frederick thomas visited in 1842.
- Describes how poe became known as "the raven" and edgar allan began to drink more due to the excitement on his new piece. the broadway journal failed in 1846.
- Narrates how poe was desperate to find a replacement after virginia's death. he considered proposing to elmira shelton in 1848.
- Narrates how poe's life seemed wasted in 1849, when he arrived at her house and she inhaled ether. her mother sent him away.
- Narrates how poe drank severely and suffered horrific hallucinations. he enrolled in the richmond branch of the sons of temperance, bought a wedding ring but, nothing changed.
- Describes how poe was found in an irish tavern-gunners hall- in october 3rd. he was stupefied with drinks and wore badly fit trousers, crumpled shirt, and dirty hat.
- Explains that edgar allan poe's legacy influenced a whole new genre of literacy. he was one of the first critics to focus on style in literary work.
2017 wordsRead More - Edgar Allan Poeanalytical essayEdgar Allan Poe "The boundaries which divide Life and Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where one ends, and where the other begins?" Edgar Allan Poe, The Premature Burial (Bartlett, 642). To venture into the world of Edgar Allan Poe is to embark on a journey to a land filled with perversities of the mind, soul, and body. The joyless existence carved out by his writings is one of lost love, mental anguish, and the premature withering of his subjects.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the artist, like the hero of one of his own tales, was constantly threatened and tortured by the pendulum of fate swinging between the extremes of the human condition.
- Explains that poe's life was a downward spiral. he courted several widows at once, trying to regain the sliver of happiness which his child-bride virginia had given him.
- Compares the literary merit of edgar alan poe with those of mark twain and james russell lowell.
- Explains that poe's world is a nightmarish universe, with wasted landscapes, silent, forgotten lands, and medieval buildings suggestive by their very architecture of horrendous and unknown happenings.
- Analyzes how poe's attitude towards his writings is more complex than is commonly realized. the frantic insanity is always accompanied by a certain amount of reason.
- Analyzes how edgar allan poe lived a life of hardship, which was reflected in his writings.
- Analyzes how poe was a master at stimulating the reader's imagination and thereby bringing out the sense of irrational fear that all human beings possess.
- Analyzes allen, henry, and asselineau, roger. "edgar allan poe." american writers vol. iii. ed. leonard unger.
3229 wordsRead More - Articles on Edgar Allan Poeanalytical essayRobert Patterson’s “Once upon a midnight dreary: The life and addictions of Edgar Allan Poe” is, as what the title suggests, all about the excesses and addictions of this celebrated American writer. All the negative events in the life of Poe may have put him in a bad light but they could have also been the factors that defined his circumstances as one of the most important figures in American literature. The article defines Poe in a number of negative ways that somehow characterized not only his personal life but also his life as a writer. One of these is his problem with women. In fact, Poe’s first affair in 1826 was cut off by the girl’s father (Patterson 1246). This somehow served as an omen of all the other succeeding failures that he will have in love. A decade after this break-up, things have never changed as he married his cousin Virginia who was often afflicted with tuberculosis and exsanguinating hemoptysis until her death in 1847(1246-1247). Nevertheless, Poe’s failures with women as well as disease have become the inspiration for some of his works like “The Masque of the Red Death,” “Annabel Lee,” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” and “Tell Tale Heart” (1247). From this, we can see that, whether or not these things had to happen to Poe, or whether or not it was his destiny to have suffered such, these things became the inspiration for his future works. This means that the literature that Poe has produced would not have been as good if he had not undergone these d...
In this essay, the author
- Opines that edgar allan poe was one of the greatest writers of his age. however, he could never have achieved such literary fame had it not been for the inspiration brought about by the negative events in his life.
- Analyzes how robert patterson's "once upon a midnight dreary: the life and addictions of edgar allan poe" defines him in several negative ways.
- Analyzes how poe's alcoholism was the theme for some of his works like "the cask of amontillado".
- Analyzes how poe used poverty as a background for some of his works while not allowing himself to be overcome by it.
- Analyzes how poe's depression and rumored mental disorder was treated as a trivial matter — it was the theme of some of his works including "the black cat" and "ligeia."
- Opines that poe lived a life of misery, death, and suffering, but he chose to use the circumstances to propel him forward in the literature.
672 wordsRead More - Poe’s Life… At the Tip of a Penanalytical essayThe vision of the mind is easily portrayed through the art of literature, painting a picture with the stroke of words. The natural inspiration that influences the creation of these works is derived from the life and the experiences of the creator. For some, these tales become stories and those stories become novels, but for one man it meant so much more. The works of Edgar Allan Poe became his life; he expressed every feeling and every moment of his existence through ink and paper. Poe involved his entire life in his writing, leaving no element of the story untouched by his trademark of a past. His work became so unique and unorthodox, yet it did not lack the attention it deserved. The American critic, Curtis Hidden Page, suggested that “the essence of his work is logic, logic entirely divorced from reality, and seeming to arise superior to reality” (Quinn 31). The foundation of Poe’s stories seems simple enough, but beneath the surface remains unanswered questions and undiscovered truths, which have yet to be uncovered. The people and experiences throughout Edgar Allan Poe’s lifetime have influenced various themes including: insanity, revenge, death, and guilt which can be distinguished through a collection of his works.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the natural inspiration that influences the creation of these works is derived from the life and experiences of the creator. the foundation of poe's stories seems simple, but beneath the surface remain unanswered questions and undiscovered truths.
- Analyzes how poe endured more than any individual should endure, and experienced so much negativity that it was almost inevitable that the theme of insanity would appear in his works.
- Analyzes how poe craved to see the pain of sorrow in others. the unstable mind motivates the body to act out in such a violent manner to satisfy its desires.
- Analyzes how poe's lack of care is a direct result of his consistent glimpses of insanity in his works and his life.
- Analyzes how edgar allan poe derived the second major theme of revenge, by struggling to gain acceptance throughout his life.
- Analyzes how poe was always up against criticism throughout his life, whether it was his adopted father john allan or his enemy rufus w. griswold.
- Analyzes how poe's final outburst and last cry of vengeance against his enemies rings out in "hop frog" after the king and his ministers were interrupted by a harsh and protracted grating.
- Analyzes how edgar allan poe faced an insurmountable amount of death in his lifetime. he was in a state of depression from the loss of his mother, to the death of virginia.
- Analyzes how the pace at which poe's loved ones fell is not nearly as heartbreaking as how easily they were taken from him.
- Analyzes how the deaths in poe's life affected his current state of mind and altered his future perspective. the last example of death is in his short story "hop fog" when the king forces trippetta violently.
- Analyzes how poe communicates his feelings of repentance subtlety in his dark and ruthless creations.
- Analyzes how poe expresses his guilt and repents in order to pay off his sins. in "the black cat," the narrator offers to purchase a stray cat after murdering the previous one.
- Analyzes poe's attempt to overcome a state of tragedy by moving on in another direction to provide distraction. in "ligeia," the narrator refers to his current bride as the successor of another woman.
- Explains that edgar allan poe's purpose was to shock the world and make an impact on all of his readers.
- Cites benfey, christopher, and robert diyanni. critics on poe on. boston: new york university, 2004. 1,165.
- Opines that what influenced edgar allan poe's works? is the subject of a wise geek contest.
2200 wordsRead More - The Big Red by Edgar Allan Poeanalytical essayEdgar Allan Poe had a peculiar way with his work. He was adopted early in his life to be spared from poverty and heartache (Roberts and Zweig 226). But in the Big Read it is stated that he still felt a satisfaction from women’s suffering. Poe just wanted to be a writer and followed his passion into judging others work to support himself (Roberts and Zweig 226). Some say that he is selfish and indulgent. Sadly the death of Poe is still a mystery but his works affect people’s lives on a daily basis. The elegance of Poe’s prose invokes an emotional reaction he was subject to during his childhood that later led to the creation of the most influential works of the 19th Century.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how poe idolized and fantasized about women specifically about their demise. his lack of female role models had a lot to do with these fantasies but he did not specify whether it was their actual death or their spiritual death.
- Analyzes how the article "the great bad writer" deems poe to be "self-indulgent" vulgar, and borderline insane, but he was the most influential american author of the same century.
- Analyzes how poe's prose and essence is evident in his works. he was taken out of a situation that would be harmful, but ended up being the man he was supposed to be.
- Analyzes how edgar allan poe had a peculiar way with his work. he was adopted early in his life to be spared from poverty and heartache.
- Analyzes how poe held the idea that poetry had to have unity—its totality of effect or impression.
- Explains that jackson, kevin, and roberts, edgar v., editors, "edgar allan poe's call card." shmoop university, inc.
1127 wordsRead More - Edgar Allan Poe: Amazing Poet and Writerexplanatory essayEdgar Allan Poe is and was an amazing American poet and writer. He wrote many famous poems. Poe has been marked as the origin of both horror and detective fiction categories and many anthologies credit him as "The Architect" of the modern short story(Academy of American Poets). Poe was also part of the genre American Romantic movement which involved many other writers(Poemhunter).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that poe was spoiled and disciplined harshly from his foster dad. the family was wealthy and could afford to send him to the best schools around.
- Explains that edgar allan poe was an amazing american poet and writer. he was the origin of both horror and detective fiction categories and was part of the genre american romantic movement.
- Narrates how poe enlisted in the united states army as a private and lied about his age. he was discharged from the military on april 15, 1829.
- Describes the poems of edgar allan poe and arthur hobson quinn.
916 wordsRead More - Edgar Allan Poeexplanatory essayEdgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston, grew up in Richmond, Virginia, and lived in six Eastern cities. His father was David Poe, a Baltimore actor. His mother, Elizabeth, also in the acting business came to the United States as a kid. The parents were not that talented; they played small roles in rather third-rate theatrical companies. They both had small parts, and barely managed to make a living.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that edgar allan poe was born in boston, grew up in richmond, virginia, and lived in six eastern cities. his father was a baltimore actor and his mother, elizabeth, was in the acting business.
- Narrates how mrs. poe went to richmond with the two youngest children. the oldest boy, william henry, had already been left with relatives in baltimore. weakened by tuberculosis, she died.
- Narrates how frances allan, the wife of a merchant in richmond, learned about the poe babies. she liked handsome edgar more than his sister.
- Explains that mrs. allan would have liked to adopt edgar, but her husband was unwilling to commit himself. at that time people thought acting was immoral.
- Explains that edgar was six when mr. allen's business took him to scotland, the country from which he had come originally. he was eleven when the allans returned to richmond.
- Opines that edgar was eager to escape the allen household and the social life of the university of virginia was more social than academic.
- Describes how mr. allan's pride and thrift could not tolerate such conduct. he pulled edgar out of the university and set him to work at a lowly, routine job in his counting house.
- Narrates how poe turned to the idea of a military career after his release from the army.
- Explains that poe submitted tales of the folio club, and the coliseum to the saturday visitor of baltimore.
- Explains that poe's prize money was not important, but one of the judges, novelist john p. kennedy, took an interest in him and befriended him by helping him sell a story to the new southern literary messenger of richmond.
- Narrates how he brought mrs. clemm and her daughter, virginia, to live with him and married his cousin virginia. he has many problems with drinking and therefore his job was on and off.
- Explains that poe's poem, the raven, was published in the new york evening mirror, reprinted in magazines, and at once became extremely popular.
- Explains that poe was the originator of the american short story. he perfected it as an art form. conan doyle was influenced by him.
1096 wordsRead More - Edgar Allan Poeopinionated essayEdgar Allan Poe Ralph Waldo Emerson called him the jingle man, Mark Twain said that his prose was unreadable, and Henry James felt that a taste for his work was the mark of a second-rate sensibility. According to T. S. Eliot, "the forms which his lively curiosity takes are those in which a preadolescent mentality delights." After notices like those, most reputations would be sunk without a trace, and yet Edgar Allan Poe shows no sign whatsoever of loosening his extraordinary hold on our imaginations. In 1959, Richard Wilbur, an elegant poet and a critic of refined taste, inaugurated the Dell Laurel Poetry Series (mass-market paperback selections from classic British and American poets) with an edition of Poe's complete poems, for which he provided a long and thoughtful introduction. In 1973, Daniel Hoffman, also a distinguished poet and critic, published a highly regarded study of Poe's writings.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that edgar allan poe is the only american author who is known to virtually everyone.
- Explains that edgar poe was born in boston, massachusetts, the second of the three children of david and elizabeth (arnold), both of whom were professional actors and touring theatrical company members.
- Narrates how poe entered the university of virginia in 1826 and enlisted in the united states army. he was promoted to sergeant major, but chafed under the regimen and was expelled.
- Narrates how poe achieved wider recognition as a writer. he was disinherited, unsuited for business or the military, and turned to journalism.
- Narrates how poe resigned from the southern literary messenger in january 1837 and moved his family to new york and philadelphia to pursue another editorial position.
- Narrates how poe struggled to find steady employment, but his reprinted works made him famous with a broad fiction-reading public but he didn't become financially secure. he moved to new york and began writing for the broadway journal.
- Analyzes how poe's story is a case of premeditated murder. montresor tries to convince the reader that his intentions are honorable in an effort to uphold his family motto.
- Explains that poe's story is a case of domestic violence that occurs as the result of an irrational fear. the belief in the evil eye dates back to ancient times and is fairly common in india and the countries bordering the mediterranean sea.
- Opines that poe might have known of this strange belief, which creates another interesting twist to the story. maybe the narrator who tries to convince us that madness is not really the issue, is telling the truth.
2379 wordsRead More - edgar allan poeexplanatory essayEdgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the son of two poor touring actors, Elizabeth Arnold Poe and David Poe Jr. The Poes traveled around to many different theaters, playing many different roles.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that edgar allan poe was born on january 19, 1809 in boston, massachusetts. he was the son of two poor touring actors. his mother was a well-known actor, but his father was drunk during performances.
- Describes how edgar allan became a wealthy merchant after his mother's death. he was baptized, but never adopted, and went to all the best schools.
- Narrates how poe left the university and went to baltimore, hoping to publish his poems but nobody would buy them. he joined the army and gained the rank of sergeant major in just two years.
- Narrates how poe's literary career didn't take off until 1835, when he became the editor of the southern literary messenger. he married his cousin, virginia clemm, who was 13 years old.
- Explains that poe's wife died of tuberculosis in 1847, and he was unable to write for at least half a year while in severe depression over the loss of his wife.
553 wordsRead More