Study Notes on Romanticism and Edgar Allan Poe

ROMANTICISM

  • Definition: Romanticism was a state of mind and cultural movement that evolved as a rejection of the Age of Reason.

    • Unlike Enlightenment authors who valued logic and science, Romantics focused on subjectivity and intuition.

  • Nature of Romanticism:

    • Romanticism was not merely a genre (as seen in modern romance literature centering on love), but an important cultural movement.

    • It marked the first time that deep personal and imaginative storytelling flourished in America.

    • Emphasized the individual and personal emotions and experiences.

  • Admiration for Nature:

    • Romantics had a profound admiration for nature.

    • European Romantics referred to the feeling of awe-inspiring natural phenomena as "sublime," describing almost a spiritual or transcendent experience.

EDGAR ALLAN POE

  • Contribution to Romanticism and Gothicism:

    • Edgar Allan Poe not only followed Romanticism but also practiced Gothicism.

    • Gothic Style Characteristics:

    • The Gothic style in literature deals with sensationalism, decay, terror, horror, fear of the unknown, and apprehensive or evil undertones.

  • Importance of Setting:

    • Settings in Gothic literature are crucial, often placed in gloomy or oppressive locations such as castles or ancient houses.

    • These buildings typically have dark features like dungeons and are often in a state of ruin.

    • The main character is frequently portrayed as isolated—either physically confined or emotionally detached.

    • The overall sentiment of Gothic works conveys a sense of decay: something or someone that used to be great is no longer.

  • Poe’s Influence on Detective Literature:

    • One Romantic writer who focused on mystery also introduced elements of detective literature, and Poe is credited as the father of the detective story.

    • Noteworthy Works:

      • "The Murders in the Rue Morgue"

      • Features his renowned character, Sherlock Holmes (not directly written by Poe, but he influenced the genre).

MINI POE BIOGRAPHY

  1. Childhood Trauma: Poe’s father abandoned his family. His mother died when he was two years old.

  2. Educational Struggles: After attending The University of Virginia, financial difficulties left him in significant debt; Poe attempted to gamble to pay back loans, but it led to further complications.

  3. Settling Down: After moving around different cities on the East Coast, Poe finally settled in (specific location missing).

  4. Marriage Dynamics: Poe’s marriage with his younger cousin is described as (details missing).

  5. Reputation: Poe developed a reputation for being a highly critical reviewer of others’ works.

  6. Public Perception: People assumed Poe was strange when he first published his stories due to his eccentricity and dark themes in his writing.

  7. Rise to Fame: The poem that made him famous was (poem title missing).

  8. Mysterious Death: Right before his death, Poe went missing for a week. He died under mysterious circumstances after this ordeal.

  • Posthumous Reputation Issues:

    • Following his death, Poe’s obituary was penned by a rival, Rufus Wilmot Griswold, who spread lies aimed at discrediting him.

    • Griswold wrote a memoir framing Poe as a (details missing), aiming to tarnish Poe’s legacy until his own death eight years later.

    • Griswold despised Poe for publishing negative reviews of his works, contributing to the ensuing battle for Poe's reputation.

    • Quotation: "This announcement will startle many, but few will be grieved by it…"