The Genius of Edgar Allan Poe Essay - 3688 Words

The Genius of Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe remains today one of the most unique figures in American literary history. Critics have likened him to both Leonardo Da Vinci and the Jingle Man ; either the keystone of American literature or simply a writer of fashionable entertainment. As a person and a writer, Poe is also a collection of contradictions. One thing is for certain, few people have left a more lasting impression in the minds of readers than Poe. Subsequent authors have never been able to improve upon the style which Poe created and mastered. Poes tales have transcended generations of American readers and lasted through many shifts in literary thinking. One of the few things that is as strange and unique as Poes†¦show more content†¦When Edgar was six years old, the Allans moved to England because of Johns business ventures. They enrolled Poe in the Manor House School at Stoke Newington, which he later used as the setting of his short story William Wilson. As a child, Edgar was described as sm art and athletic; and because of this both of his parents adored him, especially his mother. Adolescent Concerns Edgars picturesque family life started to deteriorate as he reached puberty. While attending private schooling, Poe often felt inferior to the other kids because of his meager past. The young Poe was very athletic and liked to run, box, and play other sports, but was exceedingly unsociable towards his peers, and because of this they often rejected him. In addition, Poes special affection towards his foster mother caused problems for the adolescent child. As was with his natural mother, Edgar felt much closer to his new mother than his new father. While it is not clear whether Edgar had an Oedipal complex, his affection for his mother did result in tension with his father John. The young Poe returned with his family to Richmond, Virginia in 1822 at the age of 13. Poes somewhat strange affection for women was evident while he was still in grade school. At the age of 14 Poe fell in love with Jane Stith Craig Stanard, the young mother of a schoolmate. Ms. Stanard, who Edgar referred to a Helen, died of a brain tumor shortly afterwards. ThisShow MoreRelated The Tormented Genius of Edgar Allan Poe Essay2150 Words   |  9 PagesIt has been said that one cannot be truly great till they have experienced hardship. This, perhaps, is the reason that Edgar Allan Poe is thought to be one of the greatest story tellers in all of history. His life was not sprinkled with tragedy, but completely drowned in it. From the beginning of Poe’s life till the very end, he was, according to The Haunted Man by Phillip Lindsay, â€Å"born to live in nightmares† and that Poe’s life â€Å"might [as] well have been one of [Poe’s] own creations (Lindsay 2)Read MoreEssay about The Genius that Was Edgar Allan Poe1799 Words   |  8 PagesThroughout history, there have been genius minds that have changed our lives, whether we know it or not. These masterminds, such as Isaac Newton, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Albert Einstein, have all contributed to society with their va st knowledge on different subjects. Some genius minds are not recognized for their effect on society until well after their lives have ended. One of the individuals in particular goes by the name of Edgar Allan Poe. Most people when asked what they know of the man conjureRead MoreEdgar Allan Poe: Signature of a Genius Essay868 Words   |  4 Pageswe write, we reveal a part of ourselves. We reveal our mind. We reveal our thoughts. If it is possible to exist, then it is possible to write, because writing is thinking, and thoughts are existence. This especially holds true to the mind of Edgar Allan Poe, who through writing time and time again about his love and loss through both poetry and general prose, generates the story of his life. In these pieces, not only does he create original plots, but deep within the fabric of these plots springsRead MoreThe Influence of Edgar Allan Poes Life on His Morbid Writings591 Words   |  3 PagesEdgar Allan Poe is the most morbid of all America n authors. Poe made his impact in Gothic fiction, especially for the tales of the macabre of which he is so renowned for. â€Å"How can so strange so fine a genius so sad a life, be exprest [sic] comprest in on line — would it not be best to say of Poe in a reverential spirit simply Requiescat in Pace [?]† — (Alfred Lord Tennyson’s reply to the Poe Memorial committee, February 18, 1876). Poe’s own life story sheds light on the darkness of his writingsRead More Death in Edgar Allan Poes Life and The Masque of the Red Death1468 Words   |  6 PagesDeath in Edgar Allan Poes Life and The Masque of the Red Death As a man surrounded by death and horrible happenings, it is no wonder that almost the entire collection of Edgar Allan Poes works is about death. When Poe was very young, his father left his mother alone with three young children. At the age of two, Poe lost his mother. Many other deaths and terrible occurrences manifested themselves in Poes life, from the refusal of his adoptive father, John Allan, to acceptRead MoreLife Darker Than Night By Edgar Allan Poe961 Words   |  4 Pagescreator of short stories, Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston on January 19, 1809. According to Charles E. May, a literary scholar, who specializes in the study of the short story, â€Å"Poe is very important in the history of American culture †¦ , he developed short fictions as a genre that was to have a major impact on American literature†¦ in nineteenth century† (May 5). Despite the huge amount short stories written and sold, Poe unsuccessfully tried to fix his financial situation. Poe s life experiencesRead MoreThe Great Writer And Creator Of Short Stories By Edgar Allan Poe963 Words   |  4 Pagescreator of short stories, Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston on January 19, 1809. According to Charles E. May, a literary scholar, who specializes in the study of the short story, â€Å"Poe is very important in the history of American culture †¦ , h e developed short fictions as a genre that was to have a major impact on American literature†¦ in nineteenth century† (May 5). Despite the huge amount short stories written and sold, Poe unsuccessfully tried to fix his financial situation. Poe s life experiencesRead MoreThe Life Of Edgar Allan Poe1666 Words   |  7 PagesThe Life of Edgar Allan Poe â€Å"Poets are shameless with their experiences: they exploit them.† ― Friedrich Nietzsche The life of Edgar Allan Poe s was short and mysterious - just like the lives of the heroes of his stories. And like his fictional heroes, Poe was passionate about painful, strange, gloomy existence of the human soul. The contradictory and unstable, inclined to extravagant whims and binges, he seemed to haveRead MoreEdgar Allan Poe : His Life Influenced His Work1093 Words   |  5 Pages Edgar Allan Poe: How His Life Influenced His Work Edgar Allan Poe was an American author known for his works of depression and misfortune. Throughout his lifetime, Poe would never gain fame. It was only after his death that the true genius of Edgar Allan Poe was discovered. Poe frequently used his life occurrences—as terrible as they were—to influence his writings. It is through his writings that one can delve into the mind of Edgar Allan Poe and discover how his life truly was. Edgar Allan PoeRead MoreEdgar Allan Poe Revlutionized Literature in the 19th Century665 Words   |  3 PagesEdgar Allan Poe revolutionized the literary world of the nineteenth century. Poe is a well-known author from the early 1800’s, who was part of the dark romanticism movement. While later in life he was a brilliant writer, Edgar Allan Poe faced many problems in his early life. Although Poe experienced death within his family at a young age, the hardships he encountered are thought to have influenced his dark writing style. These death inspired elements within Poe’s writing were ahead of their time