BIOGRAPHY

Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer, poet, and literary critic born on January 19, 1809, in
Boston, Massachusetts. He is known as one of the most prominent writers in the short story
genre, especially in mystery and horror tales. Poe grew up under the care of a foster family after
the death of his parents when he was still young.

Fullname:Edgar Allan Poe

- Date of Birth: January 19,1809 Boston

- Date of Death: October 7,1849

- Place of Death: Baltimore,Maryland,Amerika Serikat

-Education: Edgar Allan Poe's education was quite diverse and somewhat intermittent.
He attended several schools during his childhood, including the University of Virginia and the
United States Military Academy at West Point, although he did not complete his studies at either
institution. Nevertheless, Poe is known for his broad education, with a strong focus on literature,
classical works, and philosophy, which greatly influenced his writing style and the themes in his
works.

- Family Background: Edgar Allan Poe was born into a family with a complex and tragic
background. His father, David Poe Jr., was a touring actor and alcoholic
who died of tuberculosis in 1811 when Edgar was young. His mother,
Elizabeth Arnold Poe, was an actress who also died of tuberculosis in
1811.
 After the death of his parents, Edgar Allan Poe and his siblings were raised
by foster families. John and Frances Allan from Richmond, Virginia,
adopted Edgar, giving him the middle name "Allan." They provided him
with education and financial support for several years, but the relationship
between Edgar and John Allan became strained, especially after Edgar left
the University of Virginia due to financial issues.

These foster family dynamics and his complicated personal life played a
significant role in shaping Edgar Allan Poe's dark and melancholic literary
works.

- Profession: Edgar Allan Poe is known as a writer, poet, and literary critic. He is
famous for his works in the short story genre, particularly mystery and
horror stories, as well as dark and melancholic poems. In addition to
writing, Poe also worked as an editor for several prominent literary
magazines of his time, such as the Southern Literary Messenger and
Graham's Magazine. His career as a writer and literary critic has made a
significant contribution to American literature and the development of the
modern horror genre.

- Famous Works: Here are some of Edgar Allan Poe's famous works:

1."The Tell-Tale Heart" - A chilling short story about a narrator who insists on their sanity while
describing their murder of an old man.

2."The Raven" - A melancholic poem where a grieving man is visited by a talking raven that
utters the famous phrase "Nevermore."

3."The Fall of the House of Usher" - A Gothic tale depicting the mental and physical
deterioration of the Usher family and their ancestral home.

4."The Masque of the Red Death" - A short story about Prince Prospero attempting to escape a
plague by hiding in his abbey, only to be confronted by a mysterious figure
5."The Pit and the Pendulum" - A horror story about a prisoner during the Spanish Inquisition
facing a series of torturous trials.

6."Annabel Lee" - A poem about the death of a beautiful young woman and the narrator's
enduring love for her.

These works showcase Poe's mastery of Gothic and macabre themes, as well as his unique style
and exploration of psychological depth.

- Award: Edgar Allan Poe did not receive any major literary awards during his lifetime.
However, his contributions to literature have been widely recognized posthumously, and he is
regarded as one of the most influential writers in American and international literature,
particularly in the genres of horror, mystery, and Gothic fiction. Various literary awards and
honors have been named after him, such as the Edgar Awards presented by the Mystery Writers
of America, which celebrate excellence in mystery fiction, non-fiction, television, film, and
theater.

- Influence and Contribution: Edgar Allan Poe's influence and contributions to literature are
profound and far-reaching. Here are some key aspects of his influence and contributions:

1. Development of Genres: Poe is considered a pioneer of both the horror and detective fiction
genres. His stories such as "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Fall of the House of Usher," and "The
Murders in the Rue Morgue" helped define and shape these genres, introducing elements of
psychological suspense, macabre atmospheres, and intricate plotting.

2. Exploration of the Psyche: Poe delved deeply into the human psyche, exploring themes of
madness, obsession, and guilt. His characters often wrestle with inner demons, reflecting a
profound understanding of psychological complexities.
3. Literary Style: Known for his precise and evocative language, Poe's writing style is
characterized by its musicality, vivid imagery, and attention to sensory details. His use of
symbolism and allegory adds depth to his works, inviting readers to interpret meanings beyond
the literal.

4. Poetry:Poe's poetry, particularly "The Raven," "Annabel Lee," and "The Bells," is renowned
for its musical rhythm, dark romanticism, and exploration of themes such as love, death, and
mourning. His poems often resonate with a sense of melancholy and longing.

5. Literary Criticism: As a literary critic, Poe contributed significantly to the development of

American literary theory. He advocated for the importance of unity of effect in a literary work,
emphasizing the impact of every element in creating a singular emotional or intellectual response
in the reader.

6. Legacy: Poe's works have had a lasting impact on literature worldwide, influencing countless
writers and artists across generations. His themes, motifs, and narrative techniques continue to be
studied, adapted, and reimagined in various forms of media, including literature, film, music, and
visual arts.

In summary, Edgar Allan Poe's influence extends beyond his iconic tales and
poems; he shaped literary conventions, explored the darker aspects of the human
experience, and left an indelible mark on the development of American and global
literature.

Personal life: The personal life of Edgar Allan Poe was filled with tragedy and
controversy. He was born on January 19, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts, and
experienced significant loss from an early age. His mother died when he was very
young, and his father abandoned him while Poe was still a teenager. He was later
adopted by the Allan family, who gave him the middle name "Allan."

Poe had a complicated love life. He married his cousin, Virginia Clemm, when
she was 13 years old, and they had an intimate relationship despite Virginia being
younger than him. Virginia died of tuberculosis at a very young age, which was a
devastating blow to Poe. After her death, his personal life and mental health
deteriorated further.

Throughout his life, Poe was known as a brilliant writer but often faced financial
difficulties. He was also known for struggles with alcoholism and conflicts with
some literary rivals. Poe's death on October 7, 1849, remains a mystery to this
day; the circumstances surrounding his death have never been fully explained,
although there have been various speculations, including the possibility of
involvement in a fight or the influence of alcohol.
 READING FICTION

Title: The Tell-Tale Heart And Other Stories

By: Edgar Allan Poe

Published: 1843

Page: In general, this collection of stories typically spans around 150-200 pages.

Themes: The main theme of Edgar Allan Poe's story "The Tell-Tale Heart" is guilt and
paranoia. The story portrays the inner struggle of a narrator who becomes obsessed with the old
man's eye, eventually driving him to commit murder. Its writing demonstrates how fear and
obsession can influence a person's mind to the point of madness.

Background: The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe is a prominent short story in the canon of
American horror literature. It was first published in The Pioneer magazine in 1843. Narrated by
an unnamed protagonist, the story depicts his dark psychological journey obsessed with the
"evil" eye of an old man, his grandfather. The narrator eventually descends into madness and
murders the old man, only to be haunted by guilt exacerbated by the sound of the heartbeat,
which he believes is a witness to the murder itself.

The background of this story reflects a chilling atmosphere and profound psychological pressure.
Poe is known for his ability to portray the darkness of the human soul and explore themes such
as paranoia, obsession, and mental instability. With an intense narrative style and vivid
descriptions that stimulate the imagination, "The Tell-Tale Heart" has become one of the most
famous and influential short stories in horror literature.

Conflict: The main conflict in the story "The Tell-Tale Heart" is the internal conflict experienced
by the narrator against himself. The narrator undergoes an inner struggle between his obsession
with the old man's "evil" eye and the guilt that arises after he commits murder.

The narrator's obsession with the old man's "evil" eye serves as the primary trigger of the
conflict. Although the old man never physically harmed or wronged the narrator, his eye
becomes an unsettling and disturbing obsession that preoccupies the narrator's mind. This
obsession drives him to plan and ultimately carry out the murder of his own grandfather.

However, after committing the deed, the narrator begins to be plagued by guilt and unease. This
internal conflict reaches its peak when the narrator hears the increasingly louder sound of a
heartbeat, which is actually the sound of his own conscience demanding acknowledgment of the
heinous act he has committed. The sound of the heartbeat symbolizes the narrator's internal
conflict between the obsession that drove him to commit the crime and the guilt that haunts him
afterward.

Thus, the main conflict in "The Tell-Tale Heart" is the psychological and moral conflict within
the narrator, involving an inner battle between obsession and guilt stemming from the criminal
act he has committed.

Point of view: "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe is narrated in the first-person point of
view. The narrator of this story is the main character whose name is not mentioned, and who is
also the perpetrator of the crime depicted in the story.

With the first-person point of view, readers directly enter into the thoughts and experiences of
the narrator. The narrator openly expresses his dark thoughts, obsession with the old man's eye,
and the feelings that drive him to commit tragic actions. We can see how the narrator
experiences escalating tension and fear as the story unfolds.

The first-person point of view also allows readers to feel the intensity of the psychological
conflict experienced by the narrator. We can deeply understand how the narrator's obsession with
the old man's eye transforms him into someone obsessed and ultimately into a murderer.
By using the first-person point of view, Edgar Allan Poe successfully creates a gripping and
intense narrative, inviting readers to explore the dark and distorted mind of the narrator, and to
feel the moral and psychological tension he faces.

Moral Message: The moral message of the story "The Tell-Tale Heart" is that when someone
becomes ensnared in an obsession that leads to violence or crime, the consequences can be
highly destructive both for themselves and those around them. The story illustrates how
dangerous it can be if someone allows unchecked obsession or fear to take over their thoughts
and actions.

Additionally, the story also highlights that guilt is something difficult to avoid or dismiss.
Despite the narrator's attempts to conceal his crime, his guilt ultimately drives him into agonizing
madness. This teaches us that moral awareness and honesty with oneself are crucial to
maintaining psychological and moral balance.

Overall, "The Tell-Tale Heart" reminds us to be wary of excessive obsessions and their
potentially unforeseen consequences, and underscores the importance of maintaining moral
integrity in all situations.