This seminar paper investigates the role of Poe in the history of the detective story as a genre. It tries to find out if Poe really is the inventor of detective fiction or if there had been any detective stories prior to his Dupin works. As a first step, this paper introduces to the characteristics of a typical detective story. It also informs about the current state of research about the origins of detective fiction and appoints compositions that are discussed in scientific productions to be ancestors of the detective genre.
The last focus on this thesis is the adaption of the characteristics of a typical detective story to easily check if Poe’s "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" is a real detective story. At the end of this seminar paper, the following questions should be answered: Has nobody ever written a detective story before or are there preforms that are related to detective stories? Is Edgar Allan Poe really the inventor of detective fiction?
Edgar Allan Poe was one of the most famous American authors, who is especially famous for his over seventy short stories. He was a master of suspense and of the macabre and succeeded in many different types of literature such as horror, poetry, criticism, mystery, tales and sketches. Furthermore, many claim him to be the father of the detective story.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Detective Fiction
- 2.1 What is Detective Fiction?
- 2.2 Origins of Detective Fiction/ Early Ancestors of the Genre
- 3. Edgar Allan Poe
- 3.1 The Murders in the Rue Morgue – Which Typical Elements of Detective Fiction are already Present in Poe's Dupin Stories?
- 3.2 What did Poe himself Say about his Detective Stories?
- 4. Conclusion: Poe as the Undisputed Father of the Detective Story
Objectives and Key Themes
This seminar paper investigates Edgar Allan Poe's role in the development of detective fiction. It aims to determine whether Poe was truly the inventor of the genre or if similar works predate his Dupin stories. The paper analyzes the characteristics of detective fiction, explores potential early examples of the genre, and examines Poe's Dupin stories to assess their adherence to established conventions.
- Defining the characteristics of detective fiction.
- Exploring the origins and early ancestors of the detective fiction genre.
- Analyzing Poe's contribution to detective fiction through his Dupin stories.
- Determining whether Poe's work represents a true innovation or a development of pre-existing elements.
- Assessing Poe's self-perception regarding his detective stories and their impact.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by highlighting Arthur Conan Doyle's acknowledgement of Poe's profound influence on the detective fiction genre. It then provides biographical context for Poe, emphasizing his tumultuous life marked by poverty, personal tragedies, and struggles in securing employment as a writer. Despite these hardships, Poe's lasting impact on American and world literature is undeniable, and his mysterious death further adds to his legendary status. The chapter outlines the paper's central objective: to investigate Poe's role in shaping the detective story, analyzing whether he invented the genre or built upon earlier works. It presents a clear roadmap for the following chapters, promising to explore the defining features of detective fiction, its historical antecedents, and a detailed examination of Poe's "The Murders in the Rue Morgue."
2. Detective Fiction: This chapter delves into the core characteristics of detective fiction. It starts by referencing the common critical consensus that a detective story involves a problem solved through deduction by a professional or amateur detective. Then, building on the work of Strasen and Wenzel, it lays out key conventions of the genre: a puzzling crime baffling even the police, the involvement of a gifted and eccentric detective, a sidekick/narrator, misleading clues, innocent suspects, a surprising solution revealed at the end, and a complete explanation of the crime's details. This detailed framework sets the stage for a rigorous analysis of Poe's works in the subsequent chapter.
2.2 Origins of Detective Fiction/ Early Ancestors of the Genre: This section explores the ongoing debate among scholars concerning the true origins of detective fiction. It presents two contrasting theories: one tracing the genre's roots back to ancient narratives employing rational deduction and the other linking its emergence to the development of organized police forces. The chapter details examples cited by Symons and Thompson, including biblical tales and mythological stories, illustrating attempts to identify pre-cursors to the modern detective story. This discussion is crucial to understanding Poe's place in the genre's evolution – was he an innovator or a builder upon earlier, less clearly defined models?
Keywords
Edgar Allan Poe, detective fiction, genre origins, Dupin stories, "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," rational deduction, literary conventions, historical context, literary influence, American literature.
Edgar Allan Poe and the Origins of Detective Fiction: FAQ
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper investigates Edgar Allan Poe's contribution to the development of detective fiction. It explores whether Poe invented the genre or built upon pre-existing elements and analyzes his role in shaping the detective story.
What topics are covered in the paper?
The paper covers the following key areas: defining the characteristics of detective fiction; exploring the origins and early ancestors of the genre; analyzing Poe's contribution through his Dupin stories; determining if Poe's work represents true innovation or a development of pre-existing elements; and assessing Poe's self-perception regarding his detective stories and their impact.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into several chapters: an introduction providing background on Poe and outlining the paper's objectives; a chapter defining detective fiction and its conventions; a chapter exploring the origins of detective fiction and potential early examples; a chapter analyzing Poe's Dupin stories, specifically "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," in relation to the established conventions; and a conclusion summarizing Poe's role in the genre's development.
What are the key characteristics of detective fiction according to the paper?
The paper identifies key conventions of detective fiction, including a puzzling crime baffling the police, a gifted and eccentric detective, a sidekick/narrator, misleading clues, innocent suspects, a surprising solution revealed at the end, and a complete explanation of the crime's details.
What are the different theories regarding the origins of detective fiction discussed in the paper?
The paper presents contrasting theories about the origins of detective fiction: one tracing its roots to ancient narratives using rational deduction, and another linking its emergence to the development of organized police forces. Examples from biblical tales and mythology are explored as potential precursors.
How does the paper analyze Edgar Allan Poe's contribution to detective fiction?
The paper analyzes Poe's Dupin stories, particularly "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," to determine which typical elements of detective fiction are present. It examines how these stories adhere to or deviate from the established conventions of the genre and assesses whether Poe's work represents a genuine innovation or a development of pre-existing literary elements.
What is the conclusion of the paper regarding Poe's role in the development of detective fiction?
The conclusion argues for Poe's position as a significant figure in the development of detective fiction, though the precise extent of his originality remains a point of ongoing scholarly discussion. The paper explores whether he is considered the "father" of the genre, acknowledging that earlier works may have incorporated elements of detective fiction before him.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Edgar Allan Poe, detective fiction, genre origins, Dupin stories, "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," rational deduction, literary conventions, historical context, literary influence, American literature.
- Quote paper
- Nicole H. (Author), 2018, Edgar Allan Poe's "Invention" of Detective Fiction. Classification of the "Dupin Stories" in the History of the Detective Story as a Genre, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/471265
