My substitute teaching assignment landed me in a 7th
grade literature class where they were studying Edgar Allan Poe. I hadn’t read
anything by him for many years and it was interesting to revisit his dark
genius. Asking the class what they could tell me about Poe I wasn’t surprised
to discover they knew all about his most unsavory traits – he was a drunk and
used drugs. I reminded them after 150 years his name is spoken with reverence
as a master of literature despite personal flaws.
After
classes, I decided I wanted to craft a story about Poe so if I again had to
teach a middle school literature class I could impress upon them his stature as
a writer. As storytellers we’ve learned it is advisable to concentrate on a
meaningful incident or a particular aspect of someone’s life or career rather
than tell a sweeping biography.
Poe’s life is
so well researched it is not difficult to find information about him in the
library. Through letters and documents one can learn about his career as a
writer, his short lived but notorious military career, even his romantic and
married life. His relentless poverty, alcoholism and mysterious death are consistently
sensationalized (Did he die from alcoholism? Rabies? Was he mugged by a
political gang?). Nonetheless, it’s
worth remembering he was well regarded as a writer during his life time. He
became something of a celebrity after the publication of “The Raven” and even
undertook a road show delivering live theatrical readings of that famous poem.
After
research I decided to focus my story on the fact that Poe is considered by many
academics to be the father of the American short story. There are several
reasons for this. During his life (1809-1849) most works of literature appeared
first in periodicals – only later becoming books – and almost all his writings
are magazine length, to be read at one sitting. There is only one novel length
narrative ever published.
Familial
responsibilities demanded he churn out tales rapidly in order to put food on
the table and keep creditors from his door. He developed a style which built
suspense quickly and often involved macabre elements. His ability to create a
tone, with few words, is what marks him as a seminal writer and storyteller.
Poe is also considered the father of the detective story.
Although Poe’s
life ended in a bizarre fashion (a case of life imitating art?) I trust that my
story, which I’ve told on several occasions now, has appealed to the curious
student. So far none have asked me about his drinking habits.
The image at the top was created by Joanna O'Boyle for the National Parks Service.
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