I would be very greatful if you explain me what movement does Edgar Allan Poe belong ? i was disturbed between Romanticism, Symbolism and Transcendentalism ,or naturalism . thank you vey much Omar

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2001

Answers

Though romanticism went on beyond Poe, often degenerating into floweery, sentimental formulas he is faithful to the origins in the English poets Coleridge, Byron etc. But as a brilliant oringinal and an American he pioneers a new wave of symbolism which outlives his excellent word music. His transcendentalist contemporaries had different kind of pantheim than Poe. In Eureka his apparent pantheism concentrates on his own peculiar cosmogony of total destruction followed by rebirth(or rather return)more in keeping with the sentiments of the raven than Hindu theology and not as positively optimistic, though Lord knows he tried.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2001