This a summarised document of English introductory lecture notes covering the origins of Romanticism in America, with a focus on Edgar Allen Poe. More importantly, there are details exploring elements of a short story and important conceptual terminology.
Tatum Thomas English Short Story Basics_ Edgar Allen Poe Style_ 2021
Romanticism in American Literature:
1830- 1865 (Romantic era)
Historical context:
Conflict between the North and South (actually divided). A time of change in America.
Lowell and Holmes (influential names)America was influenced by British philosophers and
French social theorists. Believed in integrity and nature’s philosophy. Others outlook a
darker view. Man is fallible. Literature writers like Hawthorne, Melville and EDGAR ALLEN
POE.
About Edgar Allen Poe:
Born as the middle child to two actor parents in Boston. Poor family. Parents were ill with
TB. The father, David, abandoned the family. Eliza Poe continued to work acting, but died in
1811, when Edgar Poe was 2 years old. He was taken in by another family who were Scottish
by Fanny and John Allen. He briefly lived in London. When he arrived back in America, he
lived in the south, Richmond. He studied at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, he
studied ancient and modern languages. He was a quiet and nervous person. He had a taste
for drinking and gambling. He did not complete his studies. Terrible relationship with
father. He moved back to Boston. He enlisted in the army. He was there for 1,5 years. He
was reacquainted with older relatives in Baltimore. He wanted to get his poetry published.
In 1830, he was accepted at the military academy but he had a change of heart. The work
was too tough for him. He was poor and when his father died, he did not leave him
anything. He married his cousin Virginia. She was very young. In 1839, the tales of the
grotesque poems were published. The Raven got a lot of fame. Ironically, he wrote a lot
about death yet would never want to hear about death in real life. After she died, his own
health began to decline. His mind was still strong regardless of his physical state
deteriorating due to immense drinking of alcohol. He went on a trip that caused his death.
He spiraled into drinking and delirium. Only four mourners attended his funeral.
1809 Born • 1811 Eliza Poe dies • 1812 Christened Edgar Allan Poe • Age 16, University of
Virginia • 1826 returned home, studies incomplete • 1827 went to Boston, published
Tamerlane and Other Poems • Joined the army • Fanny Allan dies • 1829 published Al
Araaf, Tamerlane, and Other Poems • 1830 accepted at United States Military
Academy • 1831 court martialed for ‘neglect of duty’ • 1834 John Allan dies • 1835/6
marries Virigina • 1839 publishes first collection short stories: Tales of the Grotesque
and Arabesque • 1847 Virginia dies • 1849 Edgar Allan Poe dies
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