Two poets, two time periods Poe vs. Silverstein Two poets, two time periods

Edgar allan poe Born in Boston, MA, on January 19, 1809 His mother died and his father abandoned him He was raised by John Allan in Richmond, VA Poe joined the army in 1827, because he couldn’t support himself Poe began writing after he left the army in 1831 “The Raven” was published in 1845, and Poe was paid $9 for it He was known as a Romantic/Gothic writer of poems and stories Poe died in Baltimore, MD, on Oct. 7, 1849

Edgar Allan Poe Picture

Poe’s Poetry Annabelle Lee The Raven The Bells To Helen Lenore The Haunted Palace

Shel Silverstein Born in Chicago, IL, on September 25, 1930 He started out liking comics Silverstein flunked out of college and did not finish art school He became a cartoonist for several magazines and newspapers Silverstein also wrote songs, and was nominated for a Golden Globe and and Oscar for a song he wrote for the movie, “Postcards from the Edge.” Later in his life, he wrote poetry for children He enjoyed theater and being in plays Silverstein is considered a modern era poet He died on either May 8 or 9, 1999. His body was found by housekeepers after he suffered a heart attack, and it’s unclear exactly when he died

Shel Silverstein Picture

Silverstein’s poetry Where the Sidewalk Ends Runny Babbitt Stop Thief! Backward Bill Ticklish Tom Wavy Hair

How are they similar? Both are American writers Both have a dark sense of humor Both had trouble in school Both were gifted, creative writers

How are they different? Silverstein did not have a drinking problem; Poe did Silverstein was famous while he was alive; Poe after his death Silverstein was very funny; Poe was disturbing Silverstein published many more books than Poe They lived very different lives. Silverstein had many friends; Poe was a loner Silverstein wrote songs and plays in addition to poetry and books; Poe only wrote stories and poems

Sample poem of poe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Co01IZRhi0 This poem, “Alone,” shows how Poe liked to be alone, and had a dark sense of life.

Sample of poem by Silverstein http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvNhhEtUGJY This rendition of “Sara Cynthia Sylvia Stout” shows just how much garbage that girl left behind!

Sources www.youtube.com http://knowingpoe.thinkport.org/default_flash.asp http://www.shelsilverstein.com/play.asp