I noticed that in poe's writings he used some words close to arabic or hebrew...was he influenced by something particilar that made him use these words?

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

Answers

Poe was interested in current Egyptian and Middle east studies, in particular a travelogue by John Stephens "Arabia Petraea". If you are referring to the Pym novel poe combined this travelogue with the journals of Jeremiah Reynolds on his South Seas journeys attempting to validate the Polar hole theory. Poe of course could use many languages as source quotes, French in particular, Italian, some German, sometimes to demonstrate eruditon and intellect, other times for color. Except for the French, I would say his knowledge of languages was inserted into his main interests as pertinent. There was a popular upsurge in the new archaeology, Egyptology, etc. dating perhaps from the Napoleonic expedition into Egypt. Poe keyed on certain mysteries to explore and certain wonders inspiring his favorite moods.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002