How were poe's works affected by alcohol and physical components? Which poe's refelct this -- I need a lierary cricism on them..thanks

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2000

Answers

Jennifer,

Are you subscribing to the belief that Poe was an alcoholic and drug addict/user? If so, then your information is incorrect and is merely the creation of his American literary executor, Rufus Griswold--a jerk who smeared Poe's reputation in America so he could gain more interest in Poe's book (i.e., so he could make more $). If you want a more objective viewpoint of Poe, check out American literary critiques that are fairly recent (say within the last twenty years) or Charles Baudelaire (French critic that produced more objective and honest accounts of Poe and critics of Poe's works) or any other European critic.

Good luck,

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2000

Jennifer,

Regretfully, I am at a loss to understand your intent in regards to "physical components." Additionally, I am forced to presume your second request is for a work of Edgar's that clearly or, at least in some fashion, demonstrates a physical/psychological dependence on alcohol or a state of intoxication. Finally, it must be presumed that you require a literary critique on that particular work of Poe's that demonstrates this dependence or condition.

Perhaps, the easiest and most effective approach would be to answer your first question and see where that leads. I will caution you, however, that there are many views significantly divergent from my own. I would encourage you to seek them out for balance.

But first, your question reveals a predisposition (either on your part or those that assigned this task to you) to believe that Edgar Allan Poe's periodic use or abuse of alcohol had an impact on his works. Secondly, it infers an assumption that this impact would or could be discernable simply by reading his works. Thirdly, from my perspective, it appears to disclose some lack of research into the history of Poe that would appear to be a prerequisite to understanding Poe, the man, or his works.

That Poe's use of alcohol was, periodically, excessive and harmful to himself and his literary career is well documented. That his use of alcohol would be considered abusive and consistent with the definition of alcoholism is less well documented. That his works were influenced by his use or an abuse of alcohol, well, there simply is no historical or literary evidence in existence beyond the indeterminate. In my view, there is substantial evidence to the contrary. The poetry and prose of Edgar Allan Poe, in all respects, from his youth to his death, clearly demonstrate a progressive growth, development and maturing of an individual of extraordinary intellect, an exceptional education, and an idealistic nature with abundant passion and enthusiasm for the exquisite discharge of his art. Had his personal life been less burdensome and more amenable to his passions, perhaps his literary contributions could have been greater, at least in quantity.

To identify any particular work of Poe as a transparent indicator of his use of alcohol is, at best, precarious, at worst, dangerous. Literature is replete with questionable works, particularly when so little is known of the artist. Anyone unfamiliar with Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) must surely question his drinking habits, if not his sanity after reading his poem "Jabberwocky." The fact is, Dodgson was a brilliant mathematician, logician and author. As regards Mr. Poe, generally speaking, we have his first biographer, Rufus W. Griswold, to hold responsible for most of the current Poe perceptions. Any discernable measure of integrity possessed by Griswold was utterly destroyed when he was found to have intentionally forged and altered biographical documents to reflect even more negatively on Poe's character.

The works of Poe, especially those of later years, tend more to reflect Poe's natural adherence to his literary principles; an imaginative originality; an unsurpassed command of the English language; a brilliant intellect; and an astounding rich talent for colorful, textual illustration and vivid descriptions written with enviable clarity. As I indicated previously, I have never read any poem, short story, essay, article, commentary or even correspondence executed by the hand of Poe that would cause me to believe he was in a state of intoxication at the time of its discharge. In fact, I would argue that the very qualities of his works that has resulted in over 150 years of popular public interest and fascination, is wholly inconsistent with persistent intoxication. Thus, I would know of no single literary work, accepted as a work of Poe, which would meet the criteria you have requested.

Regards,

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2000

That was an excellent post, Tis!

Regards,

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2000