Edgar Allan Poe

Paper Summary:

The paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the writer Edgar Allan Poe. The paper specifically discusses how his writings are dark and filled with death. From a very early age, Edgar Allan Poe seems to have been obsessed with the topic of death, and many (or most) of his works are dark, brooding pieces filled with mystery, dark deeds, and the death of at least one character, or the lingering theme of death. The paper questions why Poe was so consumed with death and dying.

From the Paper:

" He writes, "He also offered his famous pronouncement that 'the death of a beautiful woman is the purest of all poetical themes'". Thus, Poe recognized this theme recurred in his works, and found it both satisfying and pure, elements of his fiction that might not seem satisfying and pure to others. After losing his parents and living in a foster home, Poe met Mrs. Jane Stith Stanard, who he became very fond of, and many people believe he loved. He wrote the poem "To Helen" to her, but her life ended tragically, as well. An early Poe biographer writes, "Mrs. Stanard soon went mad and died. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Allen, Harvey. "Biography of Edgar Allen Poe." PamBytes.com. 1997. 29 Feb. 2008. <http:/www.pambytes.com/poe/bio.html>
• Hayes, Kevin J., ed. The Cambridge Companion to Edgar Allan Poe. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 2002.
• Ljungquist, Kent P. "1 The Poet as Critic." The Cambridge Companion to Edgar Allan Poe. Ed. Kevin J. Hayes. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 2002. 7-19.
• Royot, Daniel. "4 Poe's Humor." The Cambridge Companion to Edgar Allan Poe. Ed. Kevin J. Hayes. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 2002. 57-70.
• May, Charles. Edgar Allen Poe: A Study of Short Fiction. New York: Simon and Schuster Macmillan, 1991.

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