Edgar Allan Poe: Controversial Genius & Father of Mystery - Essay Sample

Introduction

The originator of works of fiction stories and the father of modern mystery (Edgar Allan Poe) was different from the rest of the authors in his era. Everyone had their definition of who Poe was as opinions ranged from his genius art as an author to his crazy, mad drunk traits. Much of Poe's art reflects his life, who he was as a person and his background. There are too many theories concerning Poe's psychological state, but his engaging personality is still reflected in his work today as his life was a mystery.

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Poe's writing theories are reflected in his work as his psychological state can attribute to both heredity and environment. Poe has had a problematic past, his father was a drunkard, and most of his memories are bitter and painful. Poe has indicated in numerous occurrences his want and needs to escape from realism hence writing the stories; this is the only time Poe becomes a different person as he tries to escape it all through imagination. Another theory present in his story is his obsession with the death of beautiful women, which is evident from the "fall of the house of usher." Due to the death of the mother, his stepmother and his wife, Poe grew an obsession with writing about death hence killing Madeline in this story (Poe, p.36). One more significant theory is that Poe existed in the panic of the future because of what had transpired to the females in his life. Meyer hypothesizes that Poe is afflicted by tormenting reminiscences of his deceased mothers and wife, and he existed with the panic of the similar occurring to every lady he treasured (Meyer and Jeffrey, p.13). I think this was the reason Poe always visited his friends' graveyard at night to try and accept death as part of his life and probably to be ready for it. This was also the reason Poe was drunk most of the time since the reality was taking a fall on him.

Poe's life experience reflects in the "philosophy of composition" as well as in "fall of the house of usher." His parents were both actors, and this makes Poe best at visualizing scenes and creating the best out if every situation. In "fall of the house of usher," it only takes extraordinary skills to imagine the horror story that had been laid out of that house, for people who did not know horror movies existed. Having encountered the loss of his parents at a young age (3years), he talks about death a lot in both stories, which I think is because he has suffered the pain and lost people who meant a lot to him. This made misery, grief, and death, the main themes of his stories (May and Edward, p.45). Poe is aware he will not live forever and therefore writes the philosophy of composition. I think this proves that Poe was kind and wanted other authors to embrace his art of writing, therefore, writing how he composed "the raven." Poe turning his attention to poetry meant that it shaped him, and he wanted to share the only secret that gave him some relief and peace.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Poe established a new fictional genre, as well as inspiring the present day horror films. Suspense films, science fiction literature, and movies would never exist without the creativity of this Eden Allan Poe. Incorporating his life experiences and personality into his stories made him crazy but still earned him a reputation and a great legacy.

Works Cited

May, Charles Edward. Edgar Allan Poe: A study of the short fiction. Boston, MA: Twayne, 1991.

Poe, Edgar Allan. "The philosophy of composition." (1846).

Meyers, Jeffrey. Edgar Allan Poe: his life and legacy. Rowman & Littlefield, 2000.