Edgar+Allan+Poe

=Introduction= “Poetry is a rhythmical creation of beauty in words” (Brainy Quotes). Edgar Allan Poe’s writing is authentic because it reflects his personality, originality, and appearance. Poe’s work was not just one dimensional; he had various types of writings. His work as an author was not fully appreciated until after his death. The life of Poe is known for being classically tragic, from before his birth until after his death. As a result, Poe’s work today is recognized for his unique style and for being favorited in his writing genre.

=**Personal Background**= Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts (Ghara). Both Poe’s parents Elizabeth and David Poe were hard working actors (McNamara). From the beginning you can say his life was horrid, his father left the family when he was young and his mom passed away from Tuberculosis when he was just three years old (Ghara). Poe and his brother Henry sat in a room with their mom’s lifeless body for more than two days until someone finally found them. Poe was adopted by John and Frances Allan; who were wealthy tobacco distributers (Holman). It is said that Poe took up his foster parent’s last name, hence the name Edgar Allan Poe (Ghara). Poe was well educated by the Allans immediately; he was sent to boarding schools. At six years of age he was attending schools in London such as Chelsea and Reverend John Bransby’s Manor House School in Stoke Newington during the year of 1817 (Ghara). As a teenager Poe and the Allan's moved multiple times around Richman but it never prevented him from attending academies. He excelled in numerous activities such as being an exceptional leaper, swimmer, and boxer. Not to mention Poe was remarkable when it came to learning different languages (Silverman). In 1826, Poe attended the University of Virginia, due to debts however he was forced to leave college within a year (Holman). Debts caused rifts within the family; Poe had been drinking and gambling which racked up debt his father, John Allan was not pleased about. John Allan Refused to pay his Debts (McNamara). Poe had faced yet another complication when he caught new of his childhood sweetheart Elmire Royster had gotten married to someone else. He became depressed and furious at his father, he decided to move out in March of 1827 (Silverman). Struggling to support himself Poe enlisted in the U.S. Army as Edgar A. Perry. He excelled under discipline and rose to be a sergeant major. After two years Poe decided he wanted to discharge in 1829 due to the death of his foster mom Frances Allan (Silverman). John Allan and Poe were able to coexist because her death brought them back together. Mr. Allan also assisted Poe in enrolling in the United States Military Academy at West point. The following year Poe deliberately got himself dismissed from West Point (Holman). At last it became distinct to him that he would like to pursue his career as an author (McNamara).

=Personal Traits= Edgar Allan Poe’s personality is said to match most of his stories. This is true he was often dressed in dark clothing. Poe’s hair was even sober black, worn long and black. His eyes were often worry. Poe's stories also match his gloomy appearance. In fact, Poe is most recognized for his gothic life style. Besides his gothic appearance there was much more behind his tragic life, Poe is incredibly gifted (Marlowe 8).Poe had ambition from the very beginning and Excelled in many things (Silverman).There is no doubt that Poe was a brilliant thinker and gifted for languages (McCabe). John Allan, Poe’s father described him as having a sulky behavior and being thankless (Silverman). Poe struggled enormously with depression growing up but it made him the amazing artist he is today (Holman). His drinking problems led him to become mentally unstable towards the end of his life (McCabe). Poe is seen as an individualist, and captivating person (Holman). He was a determined writer and expressed much of his feelings through his writing. His dark gothic mood and appearance made up who he was (McNamara). People often judged Poe harshly during his time for being different but Poe remained committed to the person he was (Marlowe 9).

=**Obstacles**= Edgar Allan Poe had to work through depression for majority of his life making this one of his biggest obstacles. As it is his parents died well he was very young not to mention the problems he faced with his adopted family. He gambled so much while attending college and it put Poe in debt. Mr. Allan refused to help him pay back what he owed. Poe also began to drink heavily which resulted in him struggling to get a job (Holman). Poe moved around while trying to get his work noticed. For example, Poe spent a while in Richmond as an editor of the Southern Literacy Messenger but due to unpleasant memories he began drinking heavily and lost his job. Poe went on to work on Journals in New York City in 1839; where he was able to get some work published such as //Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque// (McNamara). During this time Poe restrained himself from alcohol. Poe had problems with critics as well. They often noted his writing as “Something to fear.” Following that Poe found himself freelance writing for almost three years and began to want to give up on Literacy (Silverman). He tried to support his family with solely his pen (Marlowe 8). Poe also faced many problems when it came to relationships which lead to even greater depression (Silverman). Poe’s first love interest and Fiancée Elmira Royster had gotten married to someone else while he was attending college still. He was furious at the time but later went on to marry Virginia Clemm, his first cousin. She was one person who adored his work Poe found comfort in her often. In 1847 Virginia fell ill and died, Poe began to drink heavily yet again and fell even more depressed. In the end, Poe’s biggest obstacle was working through his depression which would later end his life (Ghare).

=**Historical Significance**= Edgar Allan Poe really was a significant person, his literature stories helped shape the world today (Silverman). Although never actually favored or well known during the 1800’s, Poe made an impact and is one of the most appreciated authors right now (McCabe). As a matter of fact, Poe was not known till after his death which makes him even more significant (Marlowe 9). Edgar Allan Poe struggled all his life and tried to support his family with just his pen (Marlowe 9).He infused his stories with a combination of elements uniquely his own. Poe put his personality in his writing and added in what seemed as illusion and reality (Marlowe 10). Poe, in efforts to support his family, created new forms of literature that authors follow today. He was the first to establish the ideas of modern detective fiction, leading to stories by other author later to come such as the story of Sherlock Holmes(Holman). Not only did Poe create modern stories he created the concept for short stories which are later used within classrooms around the world like //Tell Tale Heart//. //Tell Tale Heart// was published in 1843 and regarded as one of the best gothic fiction stories ever written (Ghara). Poe often reflected his moods in his writing making them dark and gothic. He published some of the first gothic stories in 1832 (Silverman). Throughout his time he launched many genres in writing including science fiction. Poe had many styles of writing leading him to be one of the most influential writers others are able to look at as an example (McNamara). Stories such as //The Fall of the House of the Usher//, Published in 1839, is one of Poe’s most outstanding pieces of work. //The Raven// is a narrative poem published in 1845 and is probably one of the best known poems of the 19th century (Ghara). These are stories that made Poe most famous and are used as examples for other authors (Silverman). Poe was the first American writer to receive high regard earlier abroad than at home. He published seventy tales, about seventy poems and one short novel (Marlowe 9). Poe being a great writer left room in his work for readers to bring something from his own life (Marlowe 12). In the end, Edgar Allan Poe is known for helping in creating forms of literature. Poe’s writing is captivating and definitely unique. Through lives down fall he was able to express his deepest thoughts, feelings and emotions that would later lead him to create genres many people are into today. His ability to express and create such deep emotion through his stories is what makes him significant. Poe shall continue to be recognized for his authentic style of writing and ability to build new concepts for literature (McNamara). media type="youtube" key="Nv_5uxa-EHI" width="374" height="238" align="center"

=**References**= Ghare, Madhavi . "Edgar Allan Poe Biography." //Buzzle, 2000. Buzzle.com.// Web. 19 Nov. 2014. **SE#5** Snyder, Bob. "Edgar Allan Poe – Biographical Profile of the American Romantic Balladeer and Teller of Tales." //About Education//. 2015. //About.com//. Web. 11 Dec. 2014. **SE#6** Silverman, Kenneth. "American National Biography Online: Poe, Edgar Allan." //American National Biography Online: Poe, Edgar Allan//. 2000. //ANB.org//. Web. 16 Oct. 2014. **SE#3** McCabe, Suzanne. "Edgar Allan Poe; Master of Creepiness." //Proquest//. Scholastic Scope, 25 Jan. 1999. //Proquest//. Web. 18 Sept. 2014. **SE#1** McNamara, Robert. "Edgar Allan Poe." //About Education//. 2015. //About.com//. The New York Times Company. Web. 19 Oct. 2014. **SE#4** Poe, Edgar Allan, Stephen Marlowe, and Regina Marler. //The Fall of the House of Usher: And Other Tales//. New York: New American Library, 2006. Print. **SE#2**