answersLogoWhite

0

🎭

Edgar Allan Poe

Many consider Edgar Allan Poe's short stories and poetry to have been ahead of their time. Classics such as 'The Raven,' 'The Tell-Tale Heart,' and 'The Cask of Amontillado' still haunt us today.

1,334 Questions

What does the tale William Wilson by Edgar Allan Poe mean?

In Edgar Allan Poe's 'William Wilson,' the narrator's second self or mirror image, serves as both his alter ego, as well as his conscience, and manages to prevent him from committing crimes or engaging in immoral behavior. It eventually becomes apparent that the double has been created by the narrator, who is obviously insane.

What does this excerpt reveal about the narrator of the story of Edgar Allan Poe?

When the speaker in Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven tells the reader something important about himself, we learn he is emotionally disturbed. He also shows that he has recently had his heart broken.

When Edgar Allan Poe attended college what did he burn to stay warm?

Edgar Allan Poe's foster father, John Allan, only gave Poe about a third of the money needed for a year of college at the University of Virginia. Poe decided to gamble to make money, but he lost a large sum of money and did not pay up therefore he left college in debt. The two of them argued about this, among other things, and Allan did not pay the debt. Poe eventually enlisted in the US Army under an assumed name to earn money.

What was the name of Edgar Allan Poe's step mother?

Poe did not have a "step-mother." He had a "foster" mother, Frances Allan. A step-mother would have been a woman married to Poe's natural father. His natural father left the family and never took on the responsibility of raising Poe.


Poe did not have a step mother. He had a foster mother whose name was Frances Allan.

What is Poe's primary goal as a gothic writer?

He wrote romance mostly. He had a very dark life, his father left his family in 1810 and his mother died when he was two. then he was taken into a foster family, and there is foster mother died. His foster father did not really enjoy his company, and was cruel to him. He dragged much of his personal life into his poems.

What is the story The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe about?

In 'The Black Cat' by Edgar Allan Poe, the narrator had become an alcoholic. Despite a close relationship between he and his cat, Pluto, his drunkenness one night led him to believe the cat was avoiding him. He gouges one of the cat's eyes out as punishment. From then on, the cat avoids him and eventually this, along with too much alcohol, makes the narrator angry. He is overcome with this anger and hangs the cat from a garden tree. There are a number of suggestions on the symbolism of the cat in regards to the heart of the narrator.

Did Edgar Allan Poe abuse alcohol or drugs?

Not Regularly and Not AddictedNo, he did not according to the Edgar Allan Poe Society.

More detail...

Poe did not regularly use or have an addiction to drugs. The idea that Poe was a regular user of or was addicted to opium is a misconception that should be refuted. There are several reasons for this error. One is that some of the narrators of Poe's stories did use opium in the story. This has been projected by some to mean that Poe himself was using the drug, especially because Poe tended to narrate his stories in the first person. Poe had some narrators use drugs simply for literary effect within the stories.

Another reason is that some critics of his work simply used that as an excuse for their criticism. One critic deemed Poe's Tales as the "outpourings of an opium eater," but without stating that he actually was an opium eater, i.e. user.

Other reasons for not believing Poe was addicted to opium are statements from various people that knew Poe. Thomas Dunn English, a physician and Poe adversary, never accused him of it. English and Poe had been on good terms at one time and had several meetings both at English's home and at Poe's home. English at one time said that he would have known Poe was an opium user either by his physician's expertise or regular observation by his visiting with Poe so many times.

A Dr. John Carter knew and had examined Poe and stated in a letter to G.E. Woodberry, author of the book "Life of Poe", 1909, that he never knew Poe to use opium in any instance and never heard Poe mention it. Woodberry replied that he himself believed that Poe did use opium during his times away from drinking, but Woodberry never met Poe, so this is but speculation and conjecture on his part. In a later biography of Poe, Woodberry's conjecture was erroneously ascribed to Dr. Carter. This "biography" makes it seem like a doctor familiar with Poe had verified that Poe used opium.

Poe himself did make one mention of using laudanum. In a letter to Annie Richmond, Poe stated that he had attempted suicide by using laudanum. This is hardly proof that he was addicted to it. Laudanum was a commonly used medicine for pain relief at the time.

On the other hand, it has bee written that Poe in his mid twenties while working at the "Southern Literary Messenger" began some experimentation with opium along with poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. While he may have experimented with it, the best evidence is that he did not regularly use it and was certainly not addicted to it.

No, he did not. Nothing remotely suggests that Poe used it other than for proper medical reasons.

Alternative vew and additional information:

Poe's drug use is not recorded. Though it's known that he was an alcoholic and was often drunk. Also, it's believed by some that he may have been drugged by someone else when he was found four days before his death.

What is the symbolism in The Sphinx by Poe?

"The Sphinx" by Edgar Allan Poe is a poem that explores themes of mystery, time, and the unknowable. The sphinx symbolizes enigma and the secrets of the universe, challenging the speaker to contemplate the mysteries of existence. The shifting sands under the sphinx's paws represent the passage of time and the transience of life.

Was Edgar Allan Poe a nobel prize winner?

Edgar Allen Poe was an American writer. There are no knighthoods in the United States.

The Fall of the House of Usher?

The Fall of the House of Usher is the story of Roderick Usher, Madeline Usher and Roderick's friend who narrates. The friend arrives at Roderick's request because of an illness Usher is experiencing. Roderick tells his friend that Madeline, his sister, is also sick. Madeline later dies and Roderick asks the narrator's help to place her in a tomb inside the house until she's buried permanently. One stormy night while his friend is reading to him, Usher reveals that his sister is alive and trying to get out of the tomb. Strange noises are heard and Madeline breaks into the room falling to the floor with Roderick, both dead. The friend flees as the house breaks in two and collapses.

What bird was disliked by Edgar Allan Poe?

The raven was the bird disliked by Edgar Allan Poe, as seen in his famous poem "The Raven" where the bird serves as a harbinger of doom and torment for the protagonist.

What is the relationship between place and literature in Edgar Allan Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher?

Death is common. It is the inevitable end. All his work reflects his life. Every thing ends with death. Even the stories that seem to be happy like Annabel Lee.

Another view:

It is absolutely wrong to say that all or even most of Poe's works end in death or deal with death. In fact, only a small portion of his works can be considered Gothic horror.

Poe wrote stories of humor and satire like "The System of Dr. Tarr and Professor Fether"; "The Thousand-and-Second Tale of Scheherazade" ; "Why the Little Frenchman Wears His Hand in a Sling."

He wrote what might be considered science fiction in "The Ballon Hoax."

He wrote fantasy in "Descent into a Maelstrom."

The vast majority of his poems were expressions of love and affection for women he knew in his life like "An Enigma"; To Helen"; To F_____s S. O____D";

"Sonnet:To My Mother" and many others.

Other poems were about topics unrelated to death as well.

What does gaily bedight a gallant knight mean?

"Gaily bedight a gallant knight" suggests that the knight is richly adorned or dressed in a regal manner. The phrase captures the idea of elegance and grandeur associated with a chivalrous and brave knight.

When Edgar Allan Poe's foster father died what did Edgar inherit?

When Edgar Allan Poe's foster father, John Allan, died, Edgar did not inherit anything significant. John Allan had made provisions for his wife and other children in his will, leaving Edgar out of his inheritance. Poe had a strained relationship with John Allan throughout his life and was largely financially independent by the time of his father's death.

In the Fall of the House of Usher Roderick Usher seems to be suffering mainly from?

Bipolar Manic Depression.

personally i believe that Roderick suffered from a crippling case of autism which is a genetic problem. it can case better then average hearing, sensitivity to light and smell.

What disease did Edgar Allan Poes wife die from?

No. His wife died from tuberculosis. His mother died of an unspecified illness, which a family member many years later recounted was pneumonia, not tuberculosis. Poe's mother has no history of suffering from TB, therefore it is highly unlikely that his mother died from TB. The cause of death of his father, who died a few days after Mrs. Poe, is unknown.

Did Edgar Allan Poe really have a pet raccoon?

Yes, a cat (probably a tortoise shell) named Caterina. He described her as "one othe most remarkable black cats in the world- ... for it will be remembered that black cats are all of them witches." He bragged that she was smart and strong enough to open a latched door with a cunning leap on the latch. She sat on his shoulder while he worked.

What is Edgar Allan Poe legacy - good or bad?

Edgar Allan Poe's legacy is primarily seen as good due to his substantial influence on modern literature and his pioneering work in the genres of horror, mystery, and detective fiction. His innovative storytelling techniques and exploration of the human psyche have had a lasting impact on literature and popular culture. However, some critics argue that his dark themes and subject matter can be considered negative or harmful.

From what disease did Edgar Allan Poe's mother die?

The exact disease is unknown (as there is no record of it) other than it was an illness. Most likely it was pneumonia rather than tuberculosis.


Edgar Allen Poe's mother, foster mother, and wife all suffered and died from consumption.

How much is Lenore by Edgar Allan Poe first edition book worth today?

The value of a first edition of "Lenore" by Edgar Allan Poe can vary significantly based on factors such as its condition, rarity, and historical significance. In general, it could be worth thousands to tens of thousands of dollars, and possibly more if it is in exceptional condition and has provenance. It's advisable to have a rare book appraiser assess the specific copy to determine its current market value.

Who were important woman in Edgar allan poes life and when did they die?

Important women in Edgar Allan Poe's life included his mother (died 1811), his foster mother Frances Allan (died 1829), and his wife Virginia Clemm Poe (died 1847). These women had significant impacts on Poe's life and work, influencing his writing and emotional development.

How many stories did Poe write?

About sixty-six. Also, he had just begun writing an untitled piece when he died that has been named "The Lighthouse" that may have been intended as a short story or a novel.

Which story did Edgar Allan Poe won for 100 dollar?

Edgar Allan Poe won a story-writing contest held by the Dollar Newspaper in 1843. His story, "The Gold-Bug," earned him the $100 prize.

Why is the description in lines 172-174 in The Tell-Tale Heart in italic type what does the narrator think the sound is what is the likely source of the sound?

The description in italic type emphasizes the narrator's heightened state of anxiety and paranoia about the sound he hears. The narrator believes that the sound is the beating of the old man's heart, which he imagines growing louder and more persistent. The likely source of the sound is actually the narrator's own guilt and fear manifesting as auditory hallucinations.