THE PHILOSOPHIES, THEORIES AND HISTORY OF EDGAR ALLAN POE Erin Hofener Professor Stone American Literature I 13 April 2014

EARLY LIFE Tragic lives of his parents devastate Poe and set the tone for his own life. Mother was a famous and talented actress. Father was a temperamental drunk. Both died early, leaving Edgar an orphan Eliza Arnold Hopkins Poe by an unknown artist 1802.

EDGAR ALLAN POE Born January 19,1809 “The children would be moved here, there, and everywhere.” “The Allan's raised the boy as a son, but never formally adopted him.” Interpretation of Edgar Allan Poe in the late nineteenth century by an unknown artist.

“The memory of his mother’s loss, and his mounting concern over Mrs. Allan’s declining health, must have shaped his poems and stories linking beautiful women with illness, death, and loss.” Portrait of John Allan by Thomas Sully, Portrait of Frances “Fanny” Allan by Robert Sully, 1828.

Gambler in college Dropped out of college and joined the army Quit the army and enrolled at West Point Court- martial at West Point This is a selection from Poe’s court-martial trial case file, YOUNG ADULT LIFE

PHILOSOPHIES Poe believed : All works have a purpose. All stories must have a hook.  “ ‘Unity of effect or impression’ is of primary importance”  “The most effective story is one that can be read at a single sitting.”  A short story writer should focus on only one event and subordinate all lesser details. “Philosophy of Composition” 1846

PHILOSOPHIES “Poe holds that a true poem is the opposite of both a work of science and a work of romance… Poe challenges poets who try to teach or moralize in their work, and holds that the aim of the poet is the creation of pleasure.” “The death of a beautiful woman is unquestionably, the most poetical topic in the world” “Philosophy of Composition” Poetry

THEORY OF AESTHETICS  Poe Aesthetic Theory is defined in his “Philosophy of Composition”  Poe’s works are vivid, direct, and methodical.  Poe’s works reflect his sadness over his losses and his inability to alter his fate.

THE RAVEN From an unknown artist, this is the earliest illustration of The Raven” which was published in London in This 1884 illustration by Gustave Dore shows the final scene of the poem.

SUMMARY Portrait of Poe, by Edward Manchester dated November 1848.

WORKS CITED Baltimore, The Edgar Allan Poe Society of. Three Illustrations for “The Raven”. 9 February April Davidson, Edward H. Poe A Critical Study. Cambridge: President and Fellows of Harvard College, Meltzer, Milton. Edgar Allan Poe A Biography. Brookfield: Twenty-First Century Books, Reuben, Paul P. Chapter 3: Edgar Allan Poe ( ). 6 October April Sarudy, Barbara Wells. Edgar Allan Poe His 13 year-old bride & the other women in his life. 19 January April Tane, Susan Jaffe. Nevermore: The Edgar Allan Poe Collection of Susan Jaffe Tane April The Museum Collection April 2014.