Edgar Allan Poe

His Life “The want of parental affection,” wrote Poe, “has been the heaviest of my trials. “The want of parental affection,” wrote Poe, “has been the heaviest of my trials. Father was a drunk Father was a drunk He abandoned his mother who died son after, leaving Edgar an orphan before the age of three. He abandoned his mother who died son after, leaving Edgar an orphan before the age of three. He was taken in by John and Frances Allan. He was taken in by John and Frances Allan. John provided generously for Edgar’s education but did not formally adopt him. John provided generously for Edgar’s education but did not formally adopt him.

Edgar grew up longing for a natural father Edgar grew up longing for a natural father John Allan disapproved of Edgar’s idleness, indifference to business life and literary aspirations John Allan disapproved of Edgar’s idleness, indifference to business life and literary aspirations This probably contributed to Edgar’s moodiness This probably contributed to Edgar’s moodiness He attended the University of Virginia He attended the University of Virginia He became engaged to a girl named Elmira Royster He became engaged to a girl named Elmira Royster Her family put an end to the romance; Edgar was not to inherit John Allan’s fortune Her family put an end to the romance; Edgar was not to inherit John Allan’s fortune

After being withdrawn for school by John because of gambling debt, and eventually dismissing himself from West Point, he moved in with his aunt, Maria Poe Clemm. After being withdrawn for school by John because of gambling debt, and eventually dismissing himself from West Point, he moved in with his aunt, Maria Poe Clemm. In 1835, he married her thirteen- year- old daughter, Virginia. In 1835, he married her thirteen- year- old daughter, Virginia. Virginia died in 1847 of tuberculosis. Virginia died in 1847 of tuberculosis. Poe died soon after, in 1849, from a brain lesion and apparently too much to drink Poe died soon after, in 1849, from a brain lesion and apparently too much to drink

His Tragic Life His mother is widowed at 18—Poe is fatherless His mother is widowed at 18—Poe is fatherless Two years after Poe’s birth, his mother dies Two years after Poe’s birth, his mother dies He is taken in by the Allens, but never adopted He is taken in by the Allens, but never adopted At college Poe’s step-father financially abandons him At college Poe’s step-father financially abandons him Mrs. Allen dies; Mr. Allen remarries Mrs. Allen dies; Mr. Allen remarries Makes a meager living writing profound literary criticism; meets Rufus Griswold Makes a meager living writing profound literary criticism; meets Rufus Griswold Marries Virginia Clemm—who dies young Marries Virginia Clemm—who dies young Courts older women Courts older women Dies under strange circumstances Dies under strange circumstances

European Romanticism Individualism & Nonconformity Individualism & Nonconformity Nature-Worship Nature-Worship Primitivism Primitivism Interest in the Supernatural or Vanished Cultures Interest in the Supernatural or Vanished Cultures

Stress on Feeling and Erotica Stress on Feeling and Erotica Interest in the past or medieval times Interest in the past or medieval times Stress on Mysticism & Symbolism Stress on Mysticism & Symbolism An Apocalyptic Expectation An Apocalyptic Expectation Emphasis on Imagination Emphasis on Imagination

Themes Specific to Poe The Supernatural Heightened to the Grotesque The Supernatural Heightened to the Grotesque The Artist As a Superior Being The Artist As a Superior Being Vampirism Vampirism Doppelganger Doppelganger Self-Destruction Self-Destruction Search for Identity Search for Identity