Did poe say that he was more of a madman or a Genius?

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2003

Answers

Poe would probably say that he was a genious. Poe was one of the first American writers to live by the soul use of his pen. Is this the act of a madman, genious, or a brave independant soul who chose to devote his life to perfecting his craft?

-- Anonymous, June 01, 2003

Genius. Alcoholic and other mental dishabilities some related but not mad. It was the fashion among the Romantics to push one's feelings and imagination(sometimes behavior, but rarely Poe)to forbidden extremes. Madness was jst an extreme fictional sate that in dreams or drunkneness poe could draw upon. The guy who writes about serial killers or monsters is never suspect in OUR times. Give Poe some credit as an artist and pro writer.

Poe considered himself a genius though insecure and politely modest. He was generally more accurately self aware than conceited on this account. Conceit I think derived from real insecurity about his instability and artistic acceptance and recognition of a few failures and limits. The best and most revered American writers and poets of his time did not have his qualities and certainly the small circles of the mediocre were way overclassed and isolated him in his specialness.

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2003