The Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe

This episode of Biography tells the story of the uncontested master of the macabre, Edgar Allan Poe. Poe's haunting poems and chilling stories established him as one of the most important men of American letters. But behind his popularity and artistic success was a personal life defined by broken hopes and failures. The Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe explores the bouts of depression and addiction that tormented the man and gave birth to his dark and brilliant art. The Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe would be useful for classes on American Literature, American History, and American Culture. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• animated
• annihilation
• austere
• avatar
• bereavement
• capriciousness
• catastrophe
• consumption
• convivial
• countenance
• cudgel
• delirium
• destitute
• disheveled
• entranced
• kindred
• macabre
• oblivion
• pestilence
• phantasms
• plagiarist
• precarious
• precocious
• quirk
• sepulcher
• solicit
• travails
• vigorous

1. It is said that Edgar Allan Poe was both blessed and cursed by his genius. How could his genius be both a blessing and a curse?

2. One of the most famous horror writers of the twentieth century is Stephen King. How would you compare Stephen King with Edgar Allan Poe? If Stephen King lived during Poe's era, would he be as successful as he is?

3. Edgar Allan Poe loved and respected women. He spent most of his time in their company, and sought solace and peace in their companionship. How did his experiences with women influence his writing?

4. Edgar Allan Poe's stepfather disinherited him and cut him out of his life. How did Poe's bitterness toward his stepfather influence his life?

5. Most of the hardship's of Edgar Allan Poe's life were his of his own making. How was Poe his own worst enemy?

6. How are Poe's stories rooted in the grim reality of his own life?

7. Poe is considered the "father of the detective story." Why is this so?

8. Tuberculosis, which we rarely hear of today, killed Poe's mother, stepmother and wife. Why was this disease so devastating in Poe's era, and why is the threat today so minimal?

9. What role does alcohol play in Poe's downfall and descent?

10. Edgar Allan Poe died over a century ago in poverty and despair. Yet, today his stories and poems are more popular than ever. Why is his work so enduring?

1. Read a poem or short story by Edgar Allan Poe and illustrate the story. Do your illustrations successfully depict the graphic horror that characterizes Poe's work?

2. Write a short horror story. How would you scare and entertain your readers? What would your characters be like?

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Air Dates

• October 22, 2004