Edgar Allan Poe Study Notes

Early Influences
- Quote: “From childhood's hour, I have not been as others were…”
- Reflects Poe's feelings of isolation and individuality.
- Portrayal of women as angelic figures; influenced by his mother's role as an actress.
- First memories: his mother Eliza charming audiences despite her never performing on stage.
- Public admiration: "She never came onstage, but a murmur ran through the house…" - Norfolk Herald, 1811.
Family Background
- Father, David Poe Jr., abandoned the family when Edgar was just one year old.
- Eliza Poe struggled to support her three children through theater, performing dozens of roles.
- Contracted tuberculosis while touring in Richmond, Virginia, which led to her death.
Eliza Poe’s Death
- Died on December 8, when Edgar was not yet three years old; Edgar witnessed her deterioration.
- Described her final moments: "On this night, Mrs. Poe, lingering on the bed of disease…" - Richmond Enquirer, 1811.

Becoming an Orphan
- Edgar and his siblings were separated and sent to different foster homes.
- Took in by the Allan family, close to his late mother: "Mrs. Allan was very fond of Mrs. Poe."
Life with the Allans
- John Allan, Edgar's foster father, was a successful Scots merchant, yet there was a substantial class and character divide between him and young Edgar.
- Edgar received a good education and was well-mannered but felt a disconnect with Allan's rough-and-ready nature.
Physical and Academic Development
- Described as athletic and a leader during his youth. Participated actively in sports.
- Noteworthy achievement: Swam six miles against the current in the James River at age 15.
- First love: Jane Stannard, mother of a childhood friend, died of brain cancer when Poe was about 15, leaving him heartbroken.

Emerging Tension at Home
- As his foster mother became ill with tuberculosis, conflict arose between Poe and John Allan.
- Allan’s affairs during his wife’s illness contributed to the tension. Edgar believed in treating women with respect, highlighting his moral stance.
University of Virginia Experience
- In 1827, sent by Allan to the University of Virginia, then in its second year, which had a rough reputation.
- Poe's artistic expression: decorated his space with drawings and often read his stories to classmates, leaving them uncertain whether he would be a writer or artist.
Financial Hardship
- Allan provided insufficient funds, leading Edgar to massive gambling debts of $2,000, which exacerbated tensions with John Allan.
- Consequence: Poe felt forced to abandon his education, fleeing to the Army under the assumed name Edgar A. Perry to avoid debtor's prison.
Break from Allan
- Wrote a letter to Allan expressing his ambition and resentment after being ignored.
- The fallout ended their relationship permanently.

Life in the Army
- Enlistment in the Army marked a temporary escape but served as a stepping stone towards pursuing his literary goals.
- Attended briefly West Point, excelling in military service, yet the military was not his calling.
First Publications
- By age 20, published two volumes of poetry, funded by his limited resources.
- Suffered emotional turmoil with the death of Frances Allan due to tuberculosis, mirroring earlier losses.
New Beginnings with Family in Baltimore
- Moved in with his aunt Maria Clemm and cousin Virginia in 1831, providing the familial support he craved.
- Poe’s struggles continued as he had difficulty sustaining a living as a writer due to lack of copyright protections impacting his earnings.

John Allan's Death and Legacy
- Allan died in 1834; he excluded Poe from his will, emphasizing their estrangement.
- Poe faced persistent poverty while pursuing literary success, which led him to editor positions.
Magazine Work and Conflicts
- Worked as an editor for the Southern Literary Messenger, where his editorial approach earned him notoriety.
- Known as the “Tomahawk Man” for his scathing reviews; his literary feuds were seen as manifestations of his troubled past with John Allan and society.
Emotional Turmoil
- At one point, faced a personal crisis over family dynamics involving Virginia, leading to a drinking binge.
- Expressed passionate concern for Virginia's wellbeing in letters, emphasizing his emotional depth.

Devotion and Controversy
- Married Virginia, his cousin, in 1835 when she was only 13, changing her recorded age to avoid scandal.
- Their relationship was characterized by deep affection and playful moments showcasing their bond.
Public vs. Private Persona
- Despite moments of happiness, Poe's public life was fraught with conflict and financial difficulties.
- Descriptions of his poverty painted him as contrasting with his charming societal manners.

The Raven’s Success
- January 1845 saw the publication of “The Raven,” which became an instant sensation but did not translate to financial success.
- Audience reactions combined fear and fascination with the poem’s themes that Poe resonated with on a personal level.
Themes of Loss in “The Raven”
- The poem mirrors Edgar's own experiences with love and loss, highlighting the emotional narrative he grappled with in his life.

Virginia’s Illness
- Witnessed Virginia’s decline due to consumption, evoking trauma from his past deaths, leading to emotional and mental strains.
- Poe's care for her during her illness reflected both his love and desperation as her condition worsened.
Final Years
- After Virginia’s death, Poe spiraled into a profound depression, symbolizing infinite loss.
- The poem “Annabel Lee” serves as an epitaph for Virginia, revealing his enduring grief and longing.

The Mysterious Circumstances
- By late September 1849, engaged to Elmira Shelton and looking forward to a hopeful future, signs of decline became apparent.
- Witnesses noted his frail health just before his mysterious disappearance.
Discovery and Death
- Found in a delirious state on the street, theories abound surrounding the reasons for his condition; he died shortly thereafter.
Legacy
- Poe's exploration of death and the human experience resonates throughout his work, mirrored by the tumultuous life he lived, capturing the constant dance between beauty and despair.
Insights
- “The fever called living” encapsulates Poe’s existential struggles, intertwining his literary genius with the tragedies that shaped his life.