Lesson 4.8 Edgar Allan Poe
Readings 1
“The Tell-Tale Heart” 1
“The Purloined Letter” 2
Experimentation and Literary Theory 3
“The Raven”
In “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe, what is the significance of the raven as a symbol, and how does the speaker’s interaction with the bird reflect his psychological state?
Poe’s discussion in “The Philosophy of Composition” raises a number of interesting questions; among the more intriguing:
Is literary creation a mechanical process, as Poe describes in the essay, or is it an inspirational process?
How much of literature is inspiration and how much perspiration (mechanically, logically, putting specific elements together)?
As you read “The Purloined Letter,” notice the psychological depth Poe gives us in Dupin.
Why does the Prefect of Police go to see Dupin?
What has been stolen?
By whom has it been stolen?
Why does the theft need to be kept quiet?
What does the Prefect want of Dupin?
What does the reward have to do with the Prefect’s first visit?
Dupin sends the Prefect away with some rather bland advice. Why?
When the Prefect returns, Dupin has a different answer for the Prefect. Why?
What does the reward have to do with Dupin’s answer on the Prefect’s second visit?
Where was the letter hidden?
Why were the Prefect and his men unable to find the letter?
Because of the sensitivity of the matter, there is a chance that the thief will get away with his crime. How does Dupin ensure that justice will be served and still keep the matter quiet?
