Edgar AllAn Poe

In this informative article, Hailie explains Edgar Allan Poe's career and influence on the horror genre and modern literature. Discover how Poe has made an impact that has continued well past his time.

The Horror: Edgar Allan Poe

By Hailie Zintzun

It is generally safe to assume that almost every person in the world has heard of the literary masterpieces that are the work of Edgar Allan Poe. At least once in a lifetime, a person must have heard of the notorious poem “The Raven,” or perhaps the story of “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Since Poe’s work is often viewed as timeless, it may come as a surprise that it has been available for reading since 1827. Do we truly appreciate the story behind the name? While being heavily valued, it can be said that we often underestimate the impact that Poe has had on literature and the genre of horror.

Poe began his career in literature with his first poetry book, “Tamerlane and Other Poems.” Although he is now a household name, Poe did not receive a large audience so quickly. According to the Poetry Foundation, “The volume went unnoticed by readers and reviewers.” The article went on to say that his second piece of poetry, Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane, and Minor Poems, had “received only slightly more attention when it appeared in 1829.” Clearly, success does not come easily. However, his efforts did not go to waste. When Poe began to favor writing short stories rather than poems, he gained the attention of the Southern Literary Messenger. The Poe Museum states that this is when he wrote his first horror story, “Metzengerstein.” Closely followed by his second story, “Berenice.” Poe’s career had a constant cycle of ups and downs. He was offered a job on the Messenger shortly after “Berenice” was claimed to be “. . . so graphic and terrifying that the magazine (Southern Liberty Messenger) received multiple complaints from the readers.” The Poe Museum explains how he agreed to take this opportunity, moving to Richmond, Virginia. But was it in vain?

Perched upon a Bust of Pallas. Illustration to The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe

While Poe left the Southern Liberty Messenger in 1837, the following year could be said to be the greatest of his life. In 1838, he wrote some of his best known pieces of literature. This includes titles such as “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Black Cat,” and “The Masque of the Red Death.” These stories played a large part in the popularity of Poe’s work, although it can be argued that “The Raven” was what really boosted his image in the public eye. Biography agrees with this viewpoint, stating that “. . . it was his publication of ‘The Raven,’ in 1845, which made Poe a literary sensation.” Unfortunately, this was a short- lived success as his career came to an end when he died just a few years later.

Poe’s literary journey was truly a marvel, but what most do not realize is how he helped shape many people’s own paths. When one hears the name Edgar Allan Poe, it is hard not to think of his horrific tales. According to the article, “Edgar Allan Poe and His Tales of Horror,” Poe was “not the first writer of horror stories, but his literary techniques form the foundation of the immensely popular literary genre as we know it today.” In a variety of Poe’s horror stories, he inflicts suspense and drama into his work by using a first-person narrator. This allows readers to feel like they are right next to the characters, walking beside them throughout the story. He also used literary tools such as symbolism, descriptive language, and double meanings. Several authors have adopted such structuring, using these same elements in many pieces.

Murders In The Rue Morgue - Theatrical release poster by Karoly Grosz

While Poe is best known for his horror stories, he is also credited with the creation of the detective fiction genre. Biography claiming him to be the “Father of the Detective Story.” His first being “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.” Without him, we may have had to live in a world that lacked the cunning Sherlock Holmes. This is in accordance with The Guardian, which states, “His careful construction, meanwhile, is also evident in three Auguste Dupin short stories, in which he invented the format of the eccentric detective with the sidekick narrator that Conan Doyle exploited so successfully with Holmes and Watson.” With Poe being partially responsible for the beloved detective stories, it is apparent that his impact on literature was not one to be minimized. However, it is not just books that he has affected. The Guardian claims that “One reason why he is still so important today is that his stories, in particular, have shown an extraordinary capacity to mutate into other media. There have been more than a dozen films of ‘The Fall of the House Usher,’ for example, beginning with Epstein’s 1928 version. Furthermore, his work has directly inspired a stream of composers from Debussy to Lou Reed,” evidently proving that Poe has a wide spread influence.

Poe had lived a life the way he wrote-- of tragedy. Since then, his work has found new life in the stories of modern day. It seems Poe will continue to be a name that haunts the halls of history. One might assume he would have wanted it that way. After a lifetime of his work going by unnoticed, humanity is finally giving it the attention it deserves. Let us never forget the name of Edgar Allan Poe, and the influence he has had in the stories we know and love.

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