Analysis Of Edgar Allen Poe Essay Research

Analysis Of Edgar Allen Poe Essay, Research Paper

Edgar Allen Poe was one of the most influential writers of modern day society. He has become known for his tales of the mysterious and macabre and his mastery of short stories. About 12 of his works are known for their flawless literary construction. Poe was a participant in a dysfunctional family that can be recognized for the structure in his writings.

Poe was born on January 19th, 1809 in Boston Massachusetts. He was the son of David Poe, an actor, and Ellen Poe, an actress. At the age of three, Poe was orphaned when his father disappeared and his mother died of tuberculosis. John and Fanny Allen adopted Poe; they were merchants in Richmond, Virginia. At the age of six, Allen sent Poe to a private school in England.

As a teen, Poe was gifted in foreign language. He wrote some of his early works in both French and Latin. At the age of fifteen, he wrote enough works to publish a book, but John Allen would not allow it. Poe was also known for being a gifted swimmer. It has been reported that Poe swam the James River from Lundham s Wharf to Warwick Bar , (Woodberry 42), about 6 miles against a strong current. At the age of 15, Poe was the Lieutenant of the Junior Morgan Riflemen. Poe s Grandfather, General Poe is to be said where Poe gained his influence in the military.

In 1826, Poe enrolled into the University of Virginia. His goal was to be an international translator. He was considered to be precise in his studies and works, as noted by critics later in his works. The student life at the University of Virginia was chaotic at this time. One incident, several students created a riot that threw bottles and bricks at the professors. He often wrote to John Allen. In his writings to Allen, Poe talked of the violence on campus.

By the end of 1826, Poe started to develop a gambling habit. He blamed John Allen for his gambling. Poe claimed that John Allen did not give him enough funds to survive on. Therefore, he began to choose gambling as his profession on the basis of survival. However, very shortly in his gambling career, Poe developed a high debt that forced him to leave the University of Virginia.

Poe moved back to Richmond where he expected John Allen to pay off his debts. John refused. However, John made Poe work at his firm as a clerk until the debts were resolved. In 1827, Poe left the home of John Allen. In a letter to John Allen, Poe wrote I have heard you say when you have little thought, I was listening and therefore I must have said it into the ear that you have no affection for me , (Letters 203).

Poe resorted to gambling once again and gained a higher debt this time. He relocated to Boston shortly thereafter. He was able to publish a book by the name of Timerline , under a pen name.

Later in 1827, Poe enlisted into The United States Army where he was enlisted for 2 years. In 1829, he wrote his second book Aarat . Poe left the army and attempted to reconcile with John Allen. John was convinced and assisted Poe into The West Point Academy. Poe was on there a year where he was dismissed for insubordination of his military duties.

In 1831, Poe moved to Baltimore to live with his cousin and aunt. He was able accomplish another book in this time, Poems by Edgar Allen Poe . His friends at West Point respected him enough as a writer to provide financial assistance for the creation of his third book.

In 1836, Poe married his cousin Virginia Clem from Baltimore, whom he had been living with. Virginia was only the age of thirteen. Shortly after their marriage, Virginia was diagnosed with tuberculosis. She died 10 years later.

As a direct result from his wife s death, Poe became a manic depressant. He became addicted alcohol and various pharmaceutical drugs. He was recognized for using these drugs to calm his nervousness. However, he tried to quit several times and was unsuccessful. In a letter on July 22 1848, Poe wrote It has been a long time since any artificial stimulus has passed my lips , (Letters 239).

Poe was claimed to have been insane or mad. Poe s insanity and madness was mainly credited to lesions to the brain. An example of Poe breaking was when he arrived at John Sartain s office begging for protection from an imaginary army. Poe shaved his mustache so that he would not be recognized. On August 7th, 1849, Poe described his illness, I have suffered worse than death, yet so much form cholera as from its continued consequences in debility and compression of the brain , (Letters 365). Poe s condition escalated.

Poe was brought to Washington Memorial Hospital of Baltimore on October 6, 1849, after being found in the middle of the road. Poe then recited his final poem, Father I firmly do believe I know, for death who comes for me from the regions of blast afar where there is nothing to deceive hath left his iron gate ajar and rays of truth you cannot see are flashing through eternity , (Moran 24).

Poe died the following morning. He was reported that he dyed of Pneumonia, complicated by transient retardation or depression which is excessive prostration affecting the brain and resulting from exposure and encephalitis or inflammation of the brain , (Scarlet 365).

With Poe s burial there has been confusion. He was originally buried next to his Grandfather in Westminister. A headstone was not pla