WHAT WAS POE's GOAl As A WRitEr!!! NEED TO KNOW ASAP!!!

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Why did Poe become a writer? Who inspired him and what was his purpose or goal as a writer?

-- Anonymous, February 16, 2001

Answers

Denzel,

In a letter to John Neal in late 1829, Poe wrote, "I am young — not yet twenty — am a poet — if deep worship of all beauty can make me one — and wish to be so in the common meaning of the word. I would give the world to embody one half the ideas afloat in my imagination."

Initially, his dream was to be recognized as a poet but his experise as a literary critic actually is what gained him the recognition he sought. Regrettably, he made as many enemies as he did friends and his broad recognition as a poet would have to wait. Although he had written many beautiful poems and was accorded some praise publicly, until the publication of "The Raven", he was better known as a critic and short story writer. Following the wild success of "The Raven", things began to change for him and the public began to pay attention to his poetic principles through his lectures.

Poe's primary goal, at least in my view, was complete literary independence and control and he sought this through the publication of his own magazine, The Stylus. Poe seemd to feel constrained and limited by publishers of the period and the literary control and influence of what he referred to as the New York Literati.

There are several authors that inspired Poe including Shakespeare, Alexander Pope, John Milton and particularly, Coleridge.

Regards,

-- Anonymous, February 16, 2001


Tis: Thank you so much for promptyly responding to my question. You seem very knowledgeable of Mr. Poe. Would you be able to tell me from what source you got that quotation: "I am young — not yet twenty — am a poet — if deep worship of all beauty can make me one — and wish to be so in the common meaning of the word. I would give the world to embody one half the ideas afloat in my imagination." I'd like to do some research.

Thank you,

Denzel H. Lenore

-- Anonymous, February 17, 2001


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