Hi I have to write a skilled-work about Edgar Allan Poe so I wanted to ask what influence Poe had on the american short stories and how or in which way he influenced the historical development of ´short stories? I would be very greatfull if you can send me an answer my question! Thanks Marie

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2002

Answers

Advanced theory and structure in the manner of French theory of the dramatic unities, raised the gothic forms to a more literary level, pioneered more direct first person narrative, the story within the mind to go with the outside narrative. The scenes and descriptions are symbolically wed to the mind and the story and the unity of effect. The unit of length being one sitting as the reader's mood can be successfully moved and sustained. In his better stories there is more than just allegory or narrative, something beyond Hawthorne's short tales and more internally focussed within the narrator's mind.

So we have a bridge or precursor of modernity effect in the stories and poems that generally are in the English Romantic tradition with Poe's peculiar and uniquely American stamp.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2002