Edgar Allan Poe's Contribution to American Gothic

Research Paper (postgraduate) , 2013 , 68 Pages , Grade: 5.0

American Studies - Literature

If we were to ask ourselves who Edgar Allan Poe was, what would we answer? The first answer that would enter our mind would probably be that he was an author of the very first horror books. It is also agreed that he was the father of the detective fiction novels. The second answer would perhaps refer to his complicated bibliographical aspects, where historians could only be supposing, guessing and claiming.

Some people search for the truth of Poe’s death. There are various sources claiming that he died of extensive intoxication; the others claim that he was sober and died due to some mysterious factors. Edgar Allan Poe did nothing to sharpen the blurred vision of his life, quite contrarily - he repeated the fictional stories to name but one - that he joined the Greek in their fight for liberty in 1828. Since no headstone was placed over Poe’s grave when he was buried, some have claimed it as to be right of his grandfather, others to the left. As for his burial, both October 8 and 9 have been recorder in various places. No thing can be stated with certainty. Some mysteries connected with Edgar Allan Poe will probably remain unsolved.

It is evident that Poe had been influenced by the richness of Gothic literary legacy which was available to him. When analyzing the subject of his writing, form, style and even occasional use of precise motifs as well as tone, Poe proves that his predecessors have had a sound effect on him. However, what is equally evident, is that Poe created the Gothic fiction of his own style and trend, and in fact the question which shall arise is in what ways Poe shaped the American Gothic as we perceive it nowadays.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• Introduction
• Chapter One
• Chapter Two
• Chapter Three
• Conclusion
• Bibliography

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

This paper aims to explore the Gothic origins of the horror genre and analyze Edgar Allan Poe's contribution to this literary tradition. It will examine the historical development of the Gothic novel, tracing its roots in Romanticism and its influence on Poe's works. The paper will also delve into the psychological aspects of horror, particularly the concept of the uncanny as theorized by Sigmund Freud.

• The historical development of the Gothic novel
• Edgar Allan Poe's contribution to the horror genre
• The influence of Romanticism on the Gothic novel
• The concept of the uncanny in horror literature
• Sigmund Freud's theory of the uncanny

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

The first chapter will delve into the concept of the uncanny, exploring its origins, definition, and significance in horror literature. It will analyze Freud's essay "Das Unheimliche" and examine how his theory of the uncanny can be applied to Poe's works. The chapter will also discuss the historical development of the Gothic novel, tracing its roots in Romanticism and its influence on Poe's writing.

The second chapter will focus on Edgar Allan Poe's contribution to the horror genre. It will examine his major works, including "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Fall of the House of Usher," and "The Raven," analyzing their Gothic elements and their impact on the development of horror literature. The chapter will also discuss Poe's literary techniques, such as his use of atmosphere, suspense, and psychological realism.

The third chapter will explore the influence of Romanticism on the Gothic novel. It will examine the key features of Romanticism, such as its emphasis on emotion, imagination, and the supernatural, and how these elements contributed to the development of the Gothic genre. The chapter will also discuss the works of key Romantic writers, such as William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Mary Shelley, and their influence on Poe's writing.

Schlüsselwörter

The keywords and focus themes of the text include the horror genre, Gothic literature, Edgar Allan Poe, Romanticism, the uncanny, Sigmund Freud, "Das Unheimliche," and the psychological aspects of horror. The paper explores the historical development of the Gothic novel, Poe's contribution to the genre, and the influence of Romanticism on both. It also examines the concept of the uncanny as theorized by Freud and its relevance to horror literature.

• Grade: 5.0
• Author: MA Marta Zapała-Kraj (Author)
• Publication Year: 2013
• Pages: 68
• Catalog Number: V288323
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656885955
• ISBN (Book): 9783656885962
• Language: English
• Tags: Edgar Allan Poe, American Gothic, gothic, literature, sublime, uncanny, the double, horror