What Do The Following Items Have in Common

What Do The Following Items Have in Common?

Edgar Allan Poe The Original Godfather of Mystery, Horror and Suspense

Biography • Born in 1809 • Died of mysterious causes in 1849 • Widely regarded as one of America’s finest and most controversial authors • Wrote dozens of short stories and poems, as well as one full-length novel • Considered the originator of the modern crime novel and the horror/shock genre

Early Life • • Born in Boston, MA Parents were traveling actors/performers Lost both parents at an early age Was raised by the Allan family in Richmond, VA • “Foster parents”, the Allans, inherited a sum of money, and lived in relative wealth

College Life • Poe attended the University of Virginia • Was a mediocre student • Became a compulive gambler and incrued a huge debt • Left college after a year • Moved to Boston to become a newspaper writer, joined the military

Young Adulthood • Poe re-enlisted in a military academy • Was court-martialed from West Point Academy in 1831. • He moved to New York and Philadelphia to pursue newspaper and magazine writing. • Was fired for repeatedly showing up drunk.

…Life is Strange • • Poe moved to Baltimore Lived with his aunt, Maria Clemm Married his cousin, Virginia Clemm (13) Poe embarked upon a serious attempt at creative writing • Poe’s wife became sick with tuberculosis, and died three years later

The Downward Spiral… • After his wife’s death, Poe’s drinking increased and his behavior soured • His writing became increasingly morbid, evil, and mysterious • “The Raven”, Poe’s most successful poem, earned Poe just $9 • Rumors of drug abuse and mental illness plagued his career

More problems • Poe’s gambling debts returned • His health deteriorated, and his strange style of writing became a target of ridicule by other American authors. • In 1849, Poe was found unconscious in an alleyway • He died just three days later

Literary Highlights • After his death, Poe became known as the inventor of the crime/detective mystery, the horror story, and of gothic fiction • Poe’s short stories are some of the most popular literary works among American teenagers. • A few of his stories have been turned into motion picture horror movies, including “The Raven” and “The Tell-Tale Heart”

Poe’s Most Famous Works “The Masque of the Red Death” “The Tell-Tale Heart” Pendulum” “The Pit and the “The Raven” “The Black Cat”

“The Tell-Tale Heart” • A harrowing tale of a man driven to the murder of his beloved friend and roommate…

“The Pit and the Pendulum” • The tale of a prisoner trapped in a dungeon, who must endure unspeakable torture…

“The Raven” • The tale of a man tormented by a sadistic and possessed bird…