Biography of Edgar Allan Poe :: essays research papers

Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts on Jan. 19, 1809 to David Poe, Jr. and Elizabeth Arnold Poe. He grew up to be an 'American poet, short story writer, playwright, editor, literary critic, essayist, and one of the leaders of the American Romantic Movement' (Edgar Allan Poe) and married Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe. Poe was influenced by many people such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Lord Byron, Ann Radcliffe, and Charles Dickens. He was involved in the Romanticism and Dark Romanticism literary movements and demonstrated a gothic style in the majority of his works. Gloomy tales of mystery and death are what Poe was typically known for. Poe used the tone and the organization of his poems, as well as imagery, to make his poems unique and interesting. The tone of Poe?s poems is one of the major aspects people seem to remember about them. ?A Poe setting, atmosphere, or situation is instantly recognizable? (Minor). All of Poe?s poems demonstrate the dark and melancholy tone that was so unique to his writing. ?The apparent tone in Edgar Allan Poe?s ?The Raven? seemingly represents a very painful condition of mind, an intellect sensitive to madness and the abyss of melancholy brought upon by the death of a beloved lady? (Heimel). Poe starts off at the very beginning of this poem with a melancholy tone when he says, Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December, And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor. Eagerly I wished the morrow, -- vainly I had sought to borrow From my books surcease of sorrow-- sorrow for the lost Lenore-- For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore-- Nameless here for evermore. This tone causes the reader to feel the pain and sadness that the man in the poem seems to be feeling due to losing his lover. Poe also demonstrates this tone in ?Annabel Lee?, especially at the end, when he talks about his bride that he will never see again. Poe consistently made his poems catchy and organized them in a way so that they would be distinct. He seemed to like to demonstrate internal rhythm and repetition in the majority of his poems. In Poe?s poem, ?Annabel Lee?, he repeats the name ?Annabel Lee? constantly throughout the poem. Also he uses internal rhyme throughout this poem.