The First King of Horror

What are some of your favorite ghost stories? Horror books? Scary movies?

Who wrote those stories?

Why study authors?

E DGAR A. P OE

Trivia ~ True or False? Poe’s parents were actors.Poe’s parents were actors. True. He was most likely named for the acting manager of the Charleton ComediansTrue. He was most likely named for the acting manager of the Charleton Comedians

Trivia ~ True or False? After Poe’s mother Eliza died at the age of 24, Poe was raised by his single father.After Poe’s mother Eliza died at the age of 24, Poe was raised by his single father. False. Poe was raised by a patron of the theatre, Fanny Allan, much to her husband John’s dismay. Poe was separated from his older brother and younger sister and often neglected as a child.False. Poe was raised by a patron of the theatre, Fanny Allan, much to her husband John’s dismay. Poe was separated from his older brother and younger sister and often neglected as a child.

Trivia ~ True or False? Poe’s legal name is not Allan.Poe’s legal name is not Allan. True. He was never adopted by the Allans, and renounced the last name at age 15.True. He was never adopted by the Allans, and renounced the last name at age 15.

Trivia ~ True or False? Poe suffered many traumas in his childhood which may have contributed to his macabre writing style.Poe suffered many traumas in his childhood which may have contributed to his macabre writing style. True. He eventually reunited with his brother, who died just a few months later. Both the Allans died estranged from Poe.True. He eventually reunited with his brother, who died just a few months later. Both the Allans died estranged from Poe.

Trivia ~ True or False? Poe was an atheist.Poe was an atheist. Unknown. Poe did express that he had no religion though he was raised Christian. Nothing in his life or writings conclusively state whether he believed in God.Unknown. Poe did express that he had no religion though he was raised Christian. Nothing in his life or writings conclusively state whether he believed in God.

Trivia ~ True or False? Poe died of a broken heart.Poe died of a broken heart. False. The actual cause of Poe’s death is not known. One witness said he was found drunk on a Baltimore street in 1849; another says he hadn’t been drinking but was beaten. Either way, he died three days after being found.False. The actual cause of Poe’s death is not known. One witness said he was found drunk on a Baltimore street in 1849; another says he hadn’t been drinking but was beaten. Either way, he died three days after being found.

Poe & His Writing Genres What is a writing genre?What is a writing genre? Poe’s genres:Poe’s genres: –Horror/Thriller –Mystery/Detective –Literary Criticism

Poe Fiction “The Tell-Tale Heart” “The Cask of Amontillado” “The Premature Burial” The Tell-Tale Heart illustration © Rick Geary

Poe Poetry “Annabel Lee” “Elizabeth” “To My Mother” Annabel Lee illustration © Toni Pawlowsky

Homework: “The Tell-Tale Heart” Read over the vocabulary list. Look up & write any unknown definitions. Read the story, pgs in your text. Be able to talk about what genre of fiction this story is. PSSST: There might be a quiz!