how did edgar allan poe's childhood and his relationshio with the people around him affect his writing. did his alcohol problem play a part in his writing. did he have a problem everything helps

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Answers

Without trying to post mortem pschoanalyse Poe it is obvious being an orphan then seeing key female figures in his life meet untimely deaths reinforced his melancholy need for a female figure as one lost in the otherworld or in memories of the past. His "wildness" and precocious behavior, some evidence of insecurity and self-defensive extremes are at least aggravated by not having constant and strong parent figures. He married his young cousin calling her Sissy and his aunt mother-in-law "Muddy". Still, as was the fashion in certain schools of dark romanticism, Poe continued to idealize the highest art as that which dealt with tragic loss/separation of lovers. Somehow the unique expression in art of this personal preference yielded no peace and often horror and existential despair. Rationality, humor and keeping true events at a distance seem to show a divided spirit in Poe as well as a divided mind that had never learned to reconcile his grief. See "Annabel Lee" "Ulalume" after Virginia's death and "Eulalie" for Virginia when she was alive and the more idealized "To Helen" of his youth. Alcohol never helped except to offer some personal material to examine the dark side of self-destructive, mad wildness. The Black Cat and The Imp of the Perverse. Probably he wrote little under the influence itself, more prone to be unproductive or to recycle old works. For personal insight on writers and alcoholism see the new book by Stephen King "On Writing: Memoirs of the Craft(on audia tape).

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

See....now this is the kind of answer I was looking for. Not "you guys are gay" Thank you, to who ever wrote the answer to that question.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2003

edgar allan poe's father abonded him around the age of 3. His mother died before the age of 3. He moved around a lot, and wrote horror, and mystory stories. He was most famous for his detective stories.

-- Anonymous, February 18, 2003

His mother died before the age of 3? It must have been a miracle that she gave birth to Edgar at such a young age.

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2003

did you know edgar allan poe married his 13- year old cousin? just thought that was strange

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2003

I THINK HE WAS A NASTY ASS PERVERT BECAUSE HA MARRIED HIS 13 YEAR OLD COUSIN

-- Anonymous, September 30, 2003

I think he is pretty cool just a little strange!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2003

I think he is just plane creep for marring his 13 year old cousin SO THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2003

he wuz perrved

-- Anonymous, October 21, 2003

He's a DUMBASS for marring his 13yr old cousin!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, October 24, 2003

I think he was a little retarted cuz why in the world would he marry his cousin,where in the world did he get that stupid idea?!! Peole know a days

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2003

I would never marry my cousin,cuz i think thats disgusting!!!

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2003

i like him very much but he is a peace of shit when it comes to making a paper for him. what a dusch bag, he can suck my balls that mother fucker. if i was him i would fuck my 13 year old cousin 2.

-- Anonymous, November 19, 2003

Poe's relationship with his step father was volatile- After getting kicked out of college twice, they never were able to repair their relationship. By the way, in the age in which Poe lived, marrying your cousin was not a big deal, so chill out folks

-- Anonymous, November 23, 2003

Poe was a heavy drinker and was known to use opium to help his creative writing. A week before Poe died, he boarded a ferry heading south with $1200.(which was a lot at the time) I believe he was found a week later in Georgia delerious. He died before he could ever tell anyone what happend to him and the money.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2003

Actually, it was baltimore.

-- Anonymous, December 01, 2003