how is it that poe deserves more credit than any other writer for trasnforming short stories to anecdote to art??

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2004

Answers

While bringing singular poetic power to a wild pulp form like the Gothic Poe also analysed, criticized and gave us studies how stories work or should. He hit from all angles starting with his own success. He was poet, critic, satirist, exemplar, not just content to churn our tales like Washington Irving and many others. Coleridge also tried to add that philosophical analysis and structure, but like poe had trouble finishing such lengthy projects. And yes anecdote or plot with a cast of characters is swept away by Poe's aesthetics into a symphonic unity of symbol and awe. He was also placed at the beginning of America's literary birth into its own. Such a man of talent could be a pioneer. When the Gothic tale mostly died out Poe's spinoff invention of the detective story flourished, along with his method and art.

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2004