Childhood
Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was orphaned at the age of two when his father abandoned his family and his mother died of tuberculosis. Despite his hard upbringing, Poe was a precocious child and a bookworm. He was very interested in literature, writing poetry and short stories from an early age. Even though his first pieces were mostly satirical and parodies of famous poems, this was a sign of his early interest in creative writing and poetry.
Education
Edgar Allan Poe attended the University of Virginia in 1826, where he studied French, Spanish, and Italian literature. While there, he wrote “Sonnet — To Science”, which is thought to be one of his earliest works. He soon dropped out of the university for financial reasons and found a job in the Army as a clerk. He was discharged three years later but re-enlisted in the army briefly in 1837.
Career and Writing
Poe began writing seriously as a career once he left the army. He wrote short stories, most notably “The Tell Tale Heart”, “The Masque of the Red Death”, and “The Raven”, as well as critics, reviews and essays on a number of topics related to literature and the arts. Poe also wrote a number of poems, including “Annabel Lee”, “Alone”, and “The Raven”. His works were often dark and mysterious, reflecting his own troubled past and experience of life. He is credited as being one of the early masters of the horror genre as well as one of the pioneers of the detective genre.
Poe started to write poetry seriously after 1831. Around the same time, he also developed an interest in metaphysics and philosophy and began to put his thoughts into verse. His first collection of poems, Tamerlane and Other Poems, was published in 1827. It was not a success, with only 50 copies sold and Poe earning only $9 in sales.
Popularity
In 1845, Poe published “The Raven”, which quickly earned him national fame. Public interest in his work surged and Poe became a celebrity, being interviewed by newspapers and giving readings of his works. He was also featured in many magazines and books. His most famous poem was the subject of lectures, plays, and even musicals, propelling Poe into the literary canon and immortalizing him as one of the most prolific American poets of all time.
Style and Influence
Poe’s writing style was evocative, atmospheric and full of symbolism, often dealing with death, despair, loss and darkness, whilst still having a certain charm that kept readers engaged. His writing was both influential and controversial, inspiring writers such as Charles Baudelaire, Robert Browning, Arthur Conan Doyle and Virginia Woolf, whilst also garnering condemnation from critics and peers alike.
Legacy
Edgar Allan Poe is remembered today as one of America’s most important writers, influencing generations of authors and poets throughout the centuries. His works are still widely read and studied, and his writing has been adapted into numerous films, television shows and plays. Today, Poe is remembered as the father of the horror and detective genre, and his life and writing continues to captivate and inspire readers around the world.
Works Inspired
Many poets and authors have been inspired by the works and sensibilities of Edgar Allan Poe. Robert Frost was heavily influenced by Poe’s dark imagery and subject matter, citing him as a major influence in his own poetry. His influence can also be seen in H.P. Lovecraft’s horror writing, and the work of James Joyce. Additionally, his work helped to revive the short fiction form, inspiring authors such as Ambrose Bierce, Henry James and Guy de Maupassant.
Commemoration
The legacy of Poe has been cemented in popular culture and he has been celebrated with various festivities such as the Edgar Allan Poe Festival in Baltimore, Maryland and the Edgar Allan Poe Luncheon held in California. Furthermore, his works feature in many films and television shows, as well as literary anthologies. A number of journals and societies exist as a tribute to Poe’s life and work. His life even inspired both an opera and a play, highlighting his cultural significance.
Techniques
Edgar Allan Poe is known for writing in the Neoclassical style, with an emphasis on regular rhythm and meter. He has also been associated with the Gothic movement of the 19th century, incorporating dark themes, death and the occult into his work. Poe was a firm believer in using challenging language as a way to engage his readers, often playing with meter and alliteration in order to create subtle rhythms and engage the reader.
Structure
Poe often used specific patterns when it came to structure and form. He would often examine a single thought or concept over the course of a piece and then reiterate it in various ways. He also liked to experiment with the repetition of certain phrases, often in a subtle, haunting manner. Another common device in his work was the use of lists to create an ordered structure within the poem. His work is often full of symbols and imagery, and these can be found throughout his poems and stories.
Final Thoughts
Edgar Allan Poe was an influential and prolific writer whose works have stood the test of time. He was one of the first American authors to gain widespread acclaim for his writing, and his works have left a lasting impression on modern literature. His dark themes and ambitious use of language helped to revolutionize the literary world and influence generations of authors to come. He remains an important figure in the literary canon, and his work continues to be widely read and admired.
