Poe's Life In The Life Of Edgar Allan Poe

Great American writer and creator of short story, Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston on January 19, 1809. According to Charles E. May, a literary scholar, who specializes in the study of the short story, “Poe is very important in the history of American culture … , he developed short fictions as a genre that was to have a major impact on American literature… in nineteenth century” (May 5). Despite the huge amount short stories that were written and sold, Poe unsuccessfully tried to fix his financial situation to no avail. Poe 's life experiences, including his poverty, alcoholism, depression, and the deaths of those he loved, had greatly influenced his short story writing. Born into an impoverished actor’s family and during all …show more content…
However, Poe was “predisposed to drink,” notes English professor, Eric W. Carlson in “The Life of Edgar Allan Poe” (Carlson 17). In the “Edgar Allan Poe” Bettina L. Knapp mentions, “While Poe anxiously waited for an answer from Mrs. Clemm and Virginia, he started drinking and was immediately dismissed by White.” When Poe promised do not dink again he was rehired by White (Knapp 25). Alcohol problem describes in many of his short stories where the main character commits heinous crimes under the influence of the drink. For example, in the “Black Cat,” the main protagonist is kind, meek, and fond of pets, but under alcohol’s influence kills his cat and then own wife. “But my disease grew upon me – for what disease is like Alcohol!” justify oneself the felon. In this story, as well as in “The Cask of Amontillado”, Poe, warns of the dangers of the alcohol. In the “Black Cat” alcoholic is the criminal, whereas in “The Cask of Amontillado” is treated as the victim. Poe shows in “The Cask of Amontillado” how easy it is to manipulate under alcohol affection. Poe’s weakness toward to the drink reflects in the “Black Cat” and in “The Cask of …show more content…
Being orphaned, Poe did not get expected love and support from his foster father, John Allan. Silverman Kenneth, English professor at New York University (Wikipedia), observes in Mournful and Never-Ending Remembrance book “John Allan promised the family of David Poe to afford [and support] Edgar the liberal education” (Kenneth 12). Moreover, Poe did not complete his education in the university because of Allan’s rejection (Meyer 25). Poe’s attitude toward Allan, as a business man, influenced in “The Business Man” short story where the business man shows him openly admit his enmity and contempt toward to a genius. Poe’s depressive mood is also visible in the “Black cat” and “The Cask of Amontillado” where his main protagonists commit terrifying crimes and walled victims. Poe’s depression splashed in his horror short stories where is one of depressed character 's commit terrifying