Edger Allen Poe and Short Stories

“THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM” AND “THE PLAGUE”.

Introduction:

Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849), the father of the modern mystery, was born in Boston on January 19, 1809. He was educated in Virginia and England as a child. It was during his later years at West Point that he showed a remarkable propensity for writing prose. As early as the age of 15, he wrote these words in memory of a female acquaintance, "The requiem for the loveliest dead that ever died so young." (Silverman, 204)

Indeed, Edgar Allan Poe's first love was verse, whereas he was incapable to make a dwelling at it early on, he was adept to release two little volumes throughout these early years. Only after evolving an aide reviewer at the Southern Literary Messenger in Richmond, Virginia, in 1835 did Poe's scholarly gifts start to blossom. It was at this time in his life that Poe dropped in love with his 13-year-old kin Virginia. Their wedding ceremony compelled him to find a source of income. When the reviewer of the Messenger suggested paid work, Poe eagerly accepted. (Goddu, 104)

During his tenure at the Messenger, Edgar Allan Poe was an reviewer as well as a contributor. In early 1836, Poe was credited with "between 80 and 90 reconsiders, six verses, four term papers and three tales, not to mention editorials and commentaries." (Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-Ending Remembrance). (Gray, 177)

Poe was to work for some publications as both reviewer and contributor. His vocation as an reviewer coincided with his development as a writer. While employed in Philadelphia for Burton's "Gentleman's Magazine" in 1839, Poe's work proceeded to flourish. At this time in his vocation he still was not protected financially, but his work was being identified and applauded, which assisted substantially in furthering his reputation. During his tenure at Burton's he composed such macabre tales as "The Fall of the House of Usher," and William Wilson. Tales like these psychological thrillers were to become Poe's trademark.

In 1841, Edgar Allan Poe started employed for a man entitled George Graham, who suggested him, $800 a year to work for him as an editor. While at Graham's, Poe was organizing his well renowned work, "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," for publication. (Forsdick, 118)

Published in April 1841, this article boasted Auguste C. Dupin, the first-ever fictional detective. Poe's "tale of rationation," as he termed it, "inaugurated one of the most well liked and amusing types of fiction ever conceived." (Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-Ending Remembrance). It was throughout these years in Philadelphia that Poe released such trademark repugnance tales as "The Tell-Tale Heart," and "The Pit and The Pendulum."

It wasn't until the 1845 publication of Poe's well renowned verse "The Raven" that he accomplished the factual increase to good status that had been refuted him until then. The public's answer to the verse conveyed Poe to a new grade of acknowledgement and "could be in evaluation to that of some uproariously thriving strike recital ...