Transcript Edgar Allan Poe
1809-1849
Born in Boston
The son of traveling actors
Tragic and unhappy life
Mother died, father deserted him at the age of two
Adopted by Mr. and Mrs. John Allan
Constant disagreements with his step-father
Studied briefly at the University of Virginia
Drinking and gambling difficulties kept him from continuing at UVA
Received an appointment to West Point, but provoked his own dismissal
Caused a final separation between himself and step father
In 1836, Poe married his 14 year old cousin, Virginia
During the last 12 years of his life, Poe worked as a journalist, editor, and creative writer
Poe Lived in poverty stricken conditions
In 1846, wife died after a long illness
He died a poor man in Baltimore after having been found in a drunken stupor
Known for:
Tales of mystery and terror stories
Introducing the modern detective story
Short Stories
The Tell-Tale Heart
The Cask of Amontillado
The Black Cat,
The Pit and The Pendulum
Poems:
The Raven
Annabel Lee
To Helen
Lenore
Sometimes strange, special effects were linked to his addiction to laudanum
Laudanum, a highly addictive, opium based medicine, was commonly used in the treatment of headaches and stomach pains in the 1800’s
Setting
A nameless Italian city in an unspecified year (possibly in the 18th century) Topics:
Revenge
Madness
Friendship
Carnival takes places prior to the start of the Lenten season (similar to Mardi Gras in New Orleans). Lent is when people give up various pleasures - including drinking alcohol. Also during this time, people will typically wear masks and costumes
They dance and drink on the streets as a “last hurrah” before giving up meat and other pleasures to do penance for their sins.
Catacombs = long, winding underground tunnels.
Early Christians would bury their dead in these locations Suitable for burial because these underground locales were dark and cool For the purposes of “The Cask of Amontillado”, catacombs are also suitable for the safekeeping of alcohol.
Poe chooses to convey the story through the murderer's perspective.
This story, along with many others of Poe’s, are classic examples of the reliable vs. unreliable narrator.
Reliable = ?
Unreliable = ?