Birth of the American Short Story

1. “it takes a great deal of history to produce a little literature” ~ Henry James Birth of the American Short Story

2. In the beginning In 1800, there was a lack of “native literature” in America. There was very little fiction being written.

3. Why? - Opposed “made up” stories created for entertainment - This attitude prevailed for quite a while - More concerned with logical appeals and reason than creativity PURITIANISM / THE GREAT AWAKENING ENLIGHTEN-MENT

4. Who? Washington Irving Nathaniel Hawthorne Edgar Allan Poe *laid the foundation of the American Short Story *created literary forms and ideas about how to write short stories that remain important today American Romantics

5. Edgar Allan Poe Father of the Detective Story

6. Edgar Allan Poe The early years • Born in 1809 in Boston • Parents were traveling actors • Father abandoned the family when he was an infant • Mother died a year later • Adopted by John and Frances Allan of Virginia

7. Edgar Allan Poe The early years • Poe got along well with adopted mother, but fought often with his father. • Though wealthy, Mr. Allan refused to pay for Edgar’s education at the University of Virginia because of his gambling debts and wild lifestyle. • Later expelled from West Point for deliberately breaking rules, ending his relationship with Mr. Allan forever.

8. Edgar Allan Poe The early years • He moved back to Baltimore and moved in with aunt and her daughter Virginia Clemm • Already had published three volumes of poems and was now starting to write short stories. • In 1835 returned to Virginia and edited Southern Literary Messenger and married his cousin Virginia.

9. Edgar Allan Poe The writing years • The literary world was centered in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. • He contributed to literary magazines in those cities but struggled financially. • He bounced from city to city and job to job. • He couldn’t escape poverty.

10. Edgar Allan Poe The writing years • In 1847, he was gaining recognition for his writing then Virginia died. • She was 24 years old • It sent Poe over the edge….too deep in sorrow he couldn’t recover. • 2 years later, he was found delirious on the streets of Baltimore and died a short time later, alone.

11. Edgar Allan Poe The Influence • His writing as influenced many other writers from horror, detective, and science fiction writers and poets. • Anne Rice, Stephen King, Jules Verne, Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes) • Mystery Writers of America present the Edgar Allan Poe Awards each year to the best in mystery writing. • NFL Baltimore Ravens named for his poem.