I am writing an end of year paper. its going to be quite plain. this is my outline so far:

I. Detective Stories a. The Gold Bug b. The Murders in the Rue Morgue II. Psychological Thrillers a. The Fall of the House of Usher b. The Black Cat III. Dark Romanticism a. Annabel Lee b. To Helen

I just cannot come up with a thesis to pull it all together, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Christy J. Cavazos

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2001

Answers

Christy,

Perhaps, you may not want to "pull it all together" and go for the diversity found in his work. One of the tings Poe is often accused of was his singleness of mind. Here, you have a good start on the varied genre at which he often demonstrated his mastery of imagination and originality. Look also for his dabbling in science-fiction, humor, satire and social commentary.

best Regards,

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2001

It is a big plate. Let me add Poe's essay "The Philosophy of Composition" that can be found at www.eapoe.org. The way he created tales of ratiocination might be related to his choice of other methods and themes. That web site has some excellent essays on dark romanticism. The rational in relation to the the intuitive spirit? Poe's fascination with order and science and his coping with melancholy, loss and dissolution? Innovative technician and man of passion? You need to read more of his own theory, perhaps even plough through a bit of Eureka where he tries philosophically to pull it all together in a cosmic vision. His is a unique and profoundly individualistic creative mind, not easy to encompass, but he did try to work out his own artistic goals based on very personal needs.

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2001