Psychobiography of Edgar Allan Poe

Abstract

In this study we try to explore the personality development of Edgar Allan Poe. The research analyzes many aspects of life of Poe and tries to gauge the effect of hardships and ill fate in his life on his personality. The accomplishments and twists in his life are also discussed. Finally the research describes various theories and their relevance with the personality analysis of Poe.

Table of Content

Biographical Sketch4

Models for the Personality Development of an Individual6

Psychoanalytic and Neoanalytic theories6

Psychosocial Theories7

Trait, Evolutionary, Genetic/Biological approaches7

Cognitive, Behavioral, and Social Learning theories7

Humanistic Theories8

Methods of Personality Assessment9

Psychobiography of Edgar Allan Poe

Biographical Sketch

Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. in January 19, 1809. He was a short story writer as well as a poet and a critic. The credit of cultivation of mystery and the inspiring horror has gone to him. The modern detective story is initiated by him through his tale, “the Murders in the Rue Morgue”. The ghastly background set by him in his tales is unparalleled in American fiction. The Raven is one of his high class literary contribution, numbers among one of the best poems. In the tradition of the Gothic novel, Raven deals with fear and horror (Quinn, 1998).

Hardship and poverty was experienced by Poe throughout his whole life. As a young boy, he was orphaned and later in his life, he became highly addicted to alcohol. Incongruously, the ill-fated conditions of Poe's life influenced his more haunting and unbeaten literary works that has not lost their popularity still today (Britannica, 2012).

Parents of Edgar- David & Elizabeth were struggling actors. His father gave up his family and two years after birth of Edgar, his mother passed away. Edgar was later adopted by a childless couple- The Allan's. Though Allan's never adopted him legally but they cared him very much just like their own child. He attended a grammar school in Scotland and then boarding school in London. He also spent 11 months in University of Virginia; however, due to gambling losses in University, his guardians became so furious. Running up with tremendous gambling debts, Poe also started drinking alcohol, regardless of his very low alcoholic tolerance (Loveday, V., 2005). Poe was in love with Sarah Royster but parents of Sarah were not in favor of their romanticism and they engaged their daughter with another person. Upon learning of Sarah's engagement, Poe became so frustrated. Also, the rising tension between Poe and Allan made him so devastated that he decided to move to Boston to make a living. A brochure of vernal Byronic poems, “Tamerlane and Other Poems” was published by him in 1827. Volumes of his poems were well received. However, notwithstanding his accomplishment, Poe was still penniless. Therefore, he joined the Army under the name of Edgar A. Perry, to solve his plight. In 1829, volume Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane, and Minor Poems was published by him in Baltimore. Because of his absence from drills and classes, he was soon expelled from the ...