What religion was poe? Is it seen in his work?

-- Anonymous, October 21, 2003

Answers

A personal hymn to Mary in keeping with his major beliefs and problems is indicative that religion is a secondary concern to Poe after his poetic dedication, his Muse or vision. That was written during his refuge with the Jesuits in his cottage near Fordham. In other ways Poe expressed the deist principles and some of the popular piety(not without critique or correction as in "A Paean" which became "Lenore"). Whether he was even an irregular churchgoer or member of a particular sect I am not sure. The Romantic cult of the self runs genuinely deep in Poe,alienated from institutions and uncertain in his relationships.

"Eureka" carries personal philosophy to reinterpret cosmology where again I think the self(small and mortal as it is) is the center. His last sentences about absorption into the Divine seems to answer his questions though we can see again that the comfort is fleeting and not deeply enthusiastic. That the cycle repeats speaks more to this and his constant dread/fascination of clinging memory indicates a personal faith not a mere offshoot of Transcendentalism or Hinduism.

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2003

I do not know much, for religious connections in his stories are hard to find, but I do know his last words were, "God please help my poor soul." That sounds like a hope(and possibly faith ) in a higher power.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2005