Jetis50@aol.comgreenspun.com : LUSENET : The Work of Edgar Allan Poe : One Thread |
Y some ppl used to ask u things? They never asked me anything (sob), although I've a big culture... A very black sabbathing one, but it's still culture, ain't it? I'd like to no y u thought that Poe was inspired by Dickens. Anyways, u're wrong, since it's the contrary. Oh, crap! N the dates? I prefer Baudelaire & sa beauté de pierre... Ciao...
-- Anonymous, May 13, 2001
Morella/Maria,In order to respond to any question, at least with any depth of meaning or accuracy, one must understand not only the substance of the question, but the perspective from which it is asked. Regretfully, while I may grasp the substance of your query, the perspective is lost on me. So... Was Edgar Allan Poe inspired by Charles Dickens?
Certainly, to some measure, yes. But the range of English terms typically synonymous with "inspired" is rather broad and variable. While I would suggest that Poe found some ideas and themes of interest in Dickens work and, perhaps even adapted some of them for his own use, I would not go so far as to suggest that Dickens' work was a driving, galvanizing force behind Poe's poetry or prose. Nor would I suggest that Dickens' work provided any significant direction or adaptive influence over Poe. Frankly, it is my opinion that the primary force behind Poe's work was his inexhaustible passion for literature fed by his own unique brilliant intellect and incredible imagination. Perhaps, the same can be said of many of his contemporary authors, both men and women.
Having dispensed with my thoughts relative to Dickens' impact on Poe, I would hazard a thought or two in regards to your own posts to this forum. Since I began participating on this forum, I have been very fortunate to exchange views with numerous students and enthusiasts from all over the world including your own country. As a devoted Poe enthusiast for over forty years, I feel some measure of indebtedness to your countrymen for their public recognition of Poe's genius and their unapologetic admiration of his work. It has been said that lacking this French reverence for Poe, he may have slipped into the shadows of literary history altogether, never to be heard of again. Whether this is accurate or not, we Americans owe a debt of gratitude to Baudelaire, Mallarme, Breton, Valery and others, I'm sure.
Generally, direct questions to me are exceptionally rare but are often addressed via e-mail and do not appear on the forum. Likewise, some of my responses are transmitted via e-mail because of their length or it is simply more practical to do so. The bulk of the inquiries are addressed to anyone with an answer and you are free to post your thoughts. There are several perceptive, knowledgeable and very well informed participants including P. A. Regan, Eddie, P. E. Murphy, Pragmatic Poe and others. Typically, among these participants, you will find that their opinions are well and clearly stated, insightful and often thought provoking, reflecting a varied history of learning and study. In addition, it cannot go unnoticed that their responses are decidedly lacking in the infantile vernacular and vulgarisms offered by the less appreciative. There are several of their posts with which I find myself, most respectfully, at odds and for any number of reasons. But then, were we all to be of a consistent mind, I would quit the forum immediately and seek opinions elsewhere. It is one of the joys of Poe that his work engenders a wide variety of conclusions and I am not above taking full advantage of it.
Your reference to my being wrong may be quite accurate, for it is not an uncommon defect of my character(just ask my children). However, I would be interested to learn whatever the "contrary" actually is and of what it is you speak.
Your mention of your culture, specifically... "A very black sabbathing one..." leads me to conclude that you participate in the world-wide phenomenon known as the Gothic culture. While I would not presume to pass judgement on this lifestyle, I must admit I do exercise some perplexity in reconciling my perceptions of Poe and his works with those of this rather eccentric culture. Perhaps, you can enlighten me.
Best Regards,
-- Anonymous, May 13, 2001