Murders In The Rue Morgue

The Murders in the Rue Morgue, written by Edgar Allan Poe is a first of its kind detective story that uses a detailed narrative with imagery, simile, and attention to even the most insignificant detail to suggest the themes of the story and draw readers into the investigation of the L’espanaye family murders. These literary devices and techniques are best seen in the description of Monsieur C. Auguste Dupin and the detailing of the crime scene on the Rue Morgue. In describing Monsieur C. Auguste Dupin, Edgar Allan Poe uses extreme detail and many literary devices. About Dupin, Poe writes, “As the strong man exults in his physical ability, delighting in such exercises as call his muscles into action, so glories the analyst in that moral …show more content…
There are also several “red-herring” like details in the description of the crime scene that are used to throw the reader off as they wonder who has committed the murders. For example, it is noted that there are three long and thick tresses of hair laying by the fireplace, as well as four Napoleons, three large silver spoons, two bags, and four thousand francs in gold found during the initial investigation. Some of these everyday items are completely irrelevant in solving the case and serve only as bait for the audience as they search for clues in the text as to who killed the women. Poe even uses the four thousand francs as a diversion for the Prefect of Police, who comes to the conclusion that the bank teller Adolphe Le Bon has committed the crime because of his presence at the apartment days earlier as he delivered the gold to Madame L’espanaye. These clues, as well as the unique imagery and detail in the story, are what send the readers on the chase for who killed the L’espanaye family. These details, however diversionary, add a sense of mystery to the narrative that broke the mold of normal story-telling, and in doing so set an example for many future detective