Edgar Allan Poe

2. Edgar Allan Poe • Poe’s Background • Students • Assignments • Teacher’s Page • Resources/Links Did you know? At 27 years old, Edgar Allan Poe married his 13-year-old cousin Virginia Eliza Clemm on May 16, 1836, in Richmond, Va. Click on appropriate link

3. Poe’s Background • Edgar Allan Poe, who was born on Jan. 19, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts, authored more than 100 poems and short stories during his lifetime. Poe was a master of the short story, and the inventor of the modern detective story. However, Poe is most remembered for his skillful use of ghastly and chilling tone, pacing, and emphasis. His writing resembles an symbolic dance with death. Did you know? Edgar Allan Poe died on Oct. 7, 1849, in Baltimore, MD. Continue Back Click back to home page

4. Poe’s Background • Most of Poe’s work shows a keen interest in the horro, blending the gloominess of the human heart with the fantastic in clear, plain writing. “The Raven” (1845), Poe’s masterpiece, illustrates this perfectly. It tells a chilling tale of a man haunted by deaths - past and future. Other poems convey the theme of loss and grief. Though a poet, Poe turned to the more profitable genre of short stories, where he was similarly creative. Did you know? Written in 1845, “The Raven” is certainly Edgar Allan Poe’s best known work. Continue Back Click back to home page

5. Poe’s Background • Poe’s short stories examine horror and evil, both as a obvious external force, and a malevolent (nasty) cancer in the human heart. His recurring master detective, Auguste Dupin is seen as the direct ancestor to Conan Doyle’s more famous creation, Sherlock Holmes. … Although he lived a short and tragic life, Edgar Allan Poe remains today one of the most-beloved mystery writers in history. His contributions to literature and the mystery genre cannot be underestimated. Did you know? Both of Edgar Allan Poe’s birth parents died before his fourth birthday. Continue Back Click back to home page

6. Students • The Edgar Allan Poe Project for this our classroom provides you the opportunity to relish and marvel at the writings of one of the greatest minds of 19th century America. Although Poe died before his time, his imprint on America is linked with the hundreds and hundreds of poets and mystery writers throughout our country. • Go to Introduction and begin your work. Did you know? Edgar Allan Poe had a brother (William Henry Poe) and a sister (Rosalie Mckenzie Poe). Continue Back Click back to home page

7. Assignments • Introduction • Task • Process • Evaluation • Conclusion • Teacher’s Page Continue Back Click back to home page

8. Introduction • William Peter Blatty, Ray Bradbury , and Stephen King wrote many thrilling and frightful horror stories in the last half of the 20th century, and they continue to do so into the 21st century. But if it had not been for Edgar Allan Poe, these men might not have achieved the level of success they have reached today. Poe provided future authors a glimpse of what lurked in the chilling world of his mind from his writings. Continue Back Click back to home page

9. Task • The Croswell Opera House in Adrian, Mich., will host an Edgar Allan Poe Gala in January 2009, celebrating the 200th birthday of Poe. The Croswell Opera House Poe Committee has scheduled a meeting for next month, and they would like your group of four members to present your ideas to the committee. Yes, the gala event is not scheduled until January 2009, but as they say, “the early bird catches the worm.” Continue Back Click back to home page

10. Task • The Croswell Opera House Poe Committee has recommended each person to present the following: • A historic timeline of Edgar Allan Poe’s life, highlighting important dates in America’s history during the author’s life. • An artist’s rendition of what Poe looked like in his latter years, using paint, charcoal, or any other means possible. • A question analysis guide • How did Poe’s personal demons, the tragic events in his life, influence his many writings? A 250-word essay to be read to the Poe Committee. Continue Back Click back to home page

11. Task • Then, you will present the timeline, the artwork, the analysis questions, and the essay paper to the Poe Committee (your classmates). • Once you have submitted your work to the Poe Committee, your teacher will provide your grade within a week’s time. • Enjoy the challenge. The Croswell Opera House Poe Committee wishes your group the best of luck, and let the fun begin! Continue Back Click back to home page

12. Process • Okay, now the real fun begins. First, you must research and know as much as possible about Edgar Allan Poe, which means you must get down and dirty – and do some research. • Read a sampling of Poe’s works, either short stories or poems. • http://www.eapoe.org/works/index.htm • http://www.pambytes.com/poe/poe.html • Someone from your group must also gather research on America during Poe’s lifetime. • http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/history/toc.htm • http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi Continue Back Click back to home page

13. Process • Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8zyQkjaljkand use the video to complete your discussion guide. • Once you have finished reading a sampling of Poe’s writings and researching America for the timeline, you must prepare for the artist’s rendition of Poe to present to the Poe Committee. • Visit the following Web sites to view different illustrations, paintings, busts, etc., of Poe: • www.yahoo.com • www.google.com Continue Back Click back to home page

14. Evaluation • If you would like to see how your group is progressing, click on Rubric and go to the appropriate link. If you feel you are reaching the goals in the Rubric, continue with your project. If you feel you are not reaching your potential based on the Rubric, please see your teacher for further instruction or help. You will be evaluated accordingly. Continue Back Click back to home page

15. Student Rubric Continue Back Click back to home page

16. Conclusion • Congratulations! Your group will prepare for the Poe Gala Celebration in January 2009! Your group can also say you are an expert on Edgar Allan Poe. Here are a few Web sites you can visit to learn more about Poe, his work, and his lifestyle. • E. A. Poe Society of Baltimore • Poe’s Virtual Library • Edgar Allan Poe’s House of Usher • Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site • Edgar Allan Poe Museum – Richmond, Virginia • Edgar Allan Poe – Collected Works of the Master of the Macabre • Edgar Allan Poe • The Poe Studies Association • American Masters Edgar Allan Poe/PBS • Edgar Allan Poe: Once Upon a Midnight, starring John Astin Continue Back Click back to home page

17. Resources/Links • E. A. Poe Society of Baltimore • Poe’s Virtual Library • Edgar Allan Poe’s House of Usher • Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site • Edgar Allan Poe Museum – Richmond, Virginia • Edgar Allan Poe – Collected Works of the Master of the Macabre • Edgar Allan Poe • The Poe Studies Association • American Masters Edgar Allan Poe/PBS • Edgar Allan Poe: Once Upon a Midnight, starring John Astin Back Click back to home page