Bio

2. Bio Edgar Allan Poe was a, critic, mystery and short story writer, but most essentially a poet. Edgar Allan Poe lived only 40 years (1809-1849.Poe was born into an acting family; both mother and father were actors, but they died a tragic death in 1812. Poe was extremely educated and attended the University of Virginia. Poe initially was unsuccessful and  eventually he moved to Philadelphia, where he edited two different magazines.  During this time of being an editor, he earned a reputation for being a well respected critic.  His magazine articles were collected and published in Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque (1840).  He continued as editor of various publications like the Evening Mirror. The Raven and Other Poems (1845), is what made Edgar Allan Poe world renown.  His recognition from this work had catapulted Poe from a well respected editor and critic, to a genius. Poe had drinking and gambling problems; and Poe ended up consuming too much alcohol and died a few days later from binge drinking.

3. The Raven • Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -Only this, and nothing more.' Poe was a gothic romantic writer and did dark romantism (sin and self destruction) as a result of his discontent for transcendentalism. Poe uses an ample of repetition, internal rhyme , and elevated diction. Themes in Poe’s literature include unusual settings, exotic characters , and frequently death. Dark Romantics writing the natural world is dark, decaying, and mysterious and when it does reveal truth to man ,things are evil and hellish. Transcendentalists believe that they can make the world better (social reform). Dark Romanticism frequently shows individuals failing in their attempts to make changes for the better.

4. A Dream Within A Dream • Take this kiss upon the brow!And, in parting from you now,Thus much let me avow-You are not wrong, who deemThat my days have been a dream;Yet if hope has flown awayIn a night, or in a day,In a vision, or in none,Is it therefore the less gone?All that we see or seemIs but a dream within a dream.I stand amid the roarOf a surf-tormented shore,And I hold within my handGrains of the golden sand-How few! yet how they creepThrough my fingers to the deep,While I weep- while I weep!O God! can I not graspThem with a tighter clasp?O God! can I not saveOne from the pitiless wave?Is all that we see or seemBut a dream within a dream? • I think Poe is obsessed with death and often explains his views of it. He has lost someone to death and is now lonely and wishes he returns. He uses rhyme and repetition and has a rather gloomy tone . In the first stanza it seems Poe has lost his hopes