Writing Motifs of Poe
Edgar Allan Poe is a very intricate author. His literary works are perplexed, disturbing, and even grotesque. However, there is a reason for Poe's seemingly problematic, and sometimes-shifted view on reality. His frequent illnesses may have provoked his engrossment in such things. In 1842 Dr. John W. Francis diagnosed Poe with sympathetic heart trouble as well as brain congestion. He also noted Poe's inability to withstand stimulants such as drugs and alcohol, based upon a genetic disorder (Phillips 1508). Poe knew of his genetic tendency toward alcohol. Poe's father was supposed to have degenerated from consumption and his brother died from tuberculosis aggravated by alcohol. Poe was warned about his genetic disposition towards alcoholism by his cousin William Poe, who "viewed alcohol as the curse of the Poes" (Wagenknecht 31). This disease, along with other factors may have motivated him to write "The Tell-Tale-Heart," "The Cask of Amontillado," and "The Black Cat." All of these stories are written in or around 1843, shortly after Poe became afflicted. His writing helped him to cope with his troubles and explore new territory in literature. Poe's interest in the supernatural, retribution, and perverse cause them to be included
Metaphysical events take place in "The Tell-Tale-Heart". The perpetrator is driven by some unknown source to reveal his evil deed. The paranoia he feels is very real to him. "I fancied a ringing in my ears... became more distinct...I found that the noise was not within my ears...It is the beating of the hideous heart" ("The Tell-Tale-Heart" 3). Ringing is heard only in the man's head; but because an impetus has compelled him to believe otherwise, he is inclined to reveal his misdeed. The source of the man's "voices" is from a force within himself. One's soul is an unexplainable power, which governs over the body. The murder of the old man is committed in passion. Disregarding any rational thoughts the narrator is engaged in his own desires. His apathy for mankind causes his own insanity. Even he cannot live with his actions. The mind as a supernatural force, that dictates life, can only cope with so much. Poe himself experienced hallucinations from his illness and abuse of alcohol. Years of defilement caused his body and mind to break down. At one point in time Poe raved "...for protection from an imaginary army of conspirators disguised as 'loungers'" (Mankowitz 232). Constant weight on one's mind can lead to insanity. in his burial motifs; therefore, sustaining his interest. There is a common thread laced through each subject, but there is variation in degrees of the impact. Poe has many problems in his life that are beyond his control. The fact that he can do nothing to correct them angers him. He does not understand why he is afflicted with so much grief and uses his writings as an output for that anger. "The Black Cat" is a story that revolves around revenge. It is a more complex then first observed. The man is not lashing out at his animals because they have done something to offend him. The abuse is given because the animals cannot fight back. They are defenseless against the brute force. He is really angry at society but cannot tap the proper channels to vent his rage. "I grew, day by day, more moody, more irritable, more regardless of the feelings of others. I suffered myself to use intemperate language to my length, I even offered...personal violence" ("The Black Cat" 1). He has grown cold throughout the years losing the lust for life he once had. He needs to seek refuge from the outside world. "...My disease grew upon me-for what disease is like Alcohol ("The Black Cat" 1). Alcohol gives him a place to hide and, contributes to his lunacy. Under the influence he becomes a monster. Poe himself "uses alcohol as an anesthetic to ease other problems, both physical and emotional" (Mankowitz 236). He feels isolated from society parallel to the nameless man in this story. Deliberately sinning allows the man to feel power. He is in control of his actions. I "...hung it because I knew that it had loved me, and because I knew that in so doing I was committing a sin..." ("The Black Cat" 2). In a way, Poe was challenging a system of beliefs by questioning its existence (Mankowitz 139). He is almost daring a higher power to punish him. This will let him know if there is something to believe in. Poe is yearning to know how God could let him suffer, and take his life so soon. He cannot answer this, but his stories do scream the question. Ironically, his life was taken preemptively, and some experts note the cause to be alcohol. "On Tuesday last Edgar A. Poe died in town here at the hospital from the effects of a debauch . . .. He fell in with some companion here who seduced him to the bottle, which it was said he had renounced some time ago. The consequence was fever, delirium, and madness, and in a few days a termination of his sad career in the hospital. Poor Poe... A bright but unsteady light has been awfully quenched" (Bonner 194). There was no autopsy performed on Poe after his death, so, no concrete explanation for his death can be found, but "the most probable one being hypoglycemia, or low bl
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2651
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)
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