Edgar Allen Poe Essay -- essays papers

Edgar Allen Poe Edgar Allen Poe: A Brilliant Writer Edgar Allen Poe was one of the most brilliant writers of the nineteenth century. His short stories and poems consist of horror, mortality, romantic struggle, and psychological concept. Poe’s tales labeled him as a master in his study of instability of self-control, the restrain of emotion, and access of feeling. His literary works were based on his personal background; therefore, many have similar characteristics. Poe was a manic depressant, and frequently wrote while under the influence of morphine and alcohol. Poe gives an example of his influenced writing in the story Ligeia. The story portrays Ligeia and her husband as opium addicts (Bonaparte, 236). Perhaps his abnormal behavior could explain why he used such great detail in form of writing. In most of Poe’s short stories the point of view is first person and often the narrator is nameless. Each narrator is unique, some are sane, others are unclear, and several approach a fine line that separates sanity from insanity (Rose). For example, the narration in The Black Cat is spoken through confusion and influenced by alcohol, yet The Fall House of Usher is told through the mind of a paranoid schizophrenic. Both stories are by nameless narrators. His focused on death in many of his short stories and poems. Poe’s theory of death and dying are more detailed than anything else. From the start to finish of his career he was casual to stop any action, which could be remaining over the grave, the shadowing of the moon, and the emblems of mortality and massacre (Davidson, 114). Often Poe wrote on how one’s death can effect someone’s emotions and mental stability. His ... ...ain his stability during his death sentence (Davidson, 134). Poe’s unique writing style is what makes him such a well-known literary author. His personal life is what made his writings so interesting and gruesomely detailed. He never hesitates to use psychoanalysis to describe his point of view. His passionate writing is what marks Edgar Allen Poe as a brilliant 19th century author. Bibliography: Bonaparte, Marie. Life and Works of Edgar Allen Poe. New York: Humanities Press, 1971 Davidson, Edward. Poe a Critical Study. Massachusetts : The Belknap Press, 1970 Grafx, Gibson. â€Å"Easylit Poe†. 1 Feb. 1997. . Rose, Elizabeth. â€Å"Poe’s Perceptions†. 1 Sept. 2000. . Werlock, Abby. The Facts on File: Companion to the American Short Story. New York: Facts on File, 2000