Background information on Edgar Allan Poe's involvement in and contribution to the Romantic Period as well as his own development as a writer.

1. Edgar Allan Poe
Kellie Hoblit, Language Arts

2. Literary Period:
Gothic Romantic Movement

3. Purpose:
As part of the Gothic Romantic movement,
Poe wanted to be as scary and thrilling as
possible, and he particularly enjoyed writing
about death and insanity.
I’M HUNGRY

4. Setting
Poe’s stories often take place in dark,
mysterious places. In spite of focusing largely
on horror and suspense, Poe writes about
complex matters like grief and love.

5. Focus:
Poe perfected the short story and is
considered the inventor of detective fiction,
although he did also write poems.
Example: Sherlock Holmes

6. Popular Works
✑“The Fall of the House of Usher” (Short
Story)
✑“The Raven” (Poem)
✑“The Tell-Tale Heart” (Short Story)
✑“The Pit and The Pendulum” (Short Story)

7. The dundies!!
Er.... Edgars.
The Mystery Writers
of America now
present an Edgar
Award each year to
an accomplished
writer of Mystery

8. Themes & Motifs
✑ Theme: a central idea or statement;
the big idea or moral such as jealousy,
contentment, or love, but Theme also
includes the author’s opinion or view.
How does the author portray the
Theme and what does s/he have to
say about it?
✑ Motif: a reoccurring element such as a
symbol, a character, a color, a moral –
really, it can be anything.

9. THE END