I am writing a paper on Poe and the type of personality that he has (ie. psychoanalytic, behaioral, humanisitic, etc.) I am looking for a theory that describes the way Poe talks about death in his writings. I need lots of help.

-- Anonymous, November 19, 2002

Answers

Pre-freudian romantic philosophy from Eurpoean thinkers and artists. The perception of reality and the modern world stress the mind to its limits and beyond. In many of Poe's stories he decribes the character as melancholic, excitable, perceptive, etc. with built in conflicts and destructive desires. "The Imp of the Perverse" "The Man of the Crowd" and others go directly to the nature of the personality with little explicit characterization or story. Death is a defeat of this extraordianry power and search for extremes("Ligeia"). He seeks to use bhis will to pierce the veil, live and resurrect, hide and protect, but recognizes the conquering power of mortality("Masque of the Red Death". So many stories talk of defeating death or premature burial while the horror always mars the hope without consolation of religion.

-- Anonymous, November 21, 2002