What started him to write scary books? Was it because of his childhood? Did his childhood have any affect on him?

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2004

Answers

I think it was the current Gothic and Romantic genres of the day, the adult literature, the mysterious places he may have visited in Britain, his lonely childhood and poetic awakening (Alone). Being on the brink of a death experience and its thrill, the repulsion, fascination and exultation answered some deep need. However, he avoided a lot of the supernatural, gory, exagerated techniques of the day, often with a rational, sometimes satirical tone mocking the horror story. "How to write a Blackwood Article" is instructive. "Premature Burial" is self-mocking humor. Berenice is a satire carried abit far perhaps.

More to the point is how these creative outlets pointed to a fundamental personal inclination, obsession or struggle.

-- Anonymous, August 19, 2004

poe was a very disturbed man. his childhood really did not affect him in his writings. he was an orphan born to an actress, i believe. and when his mother died, he was adopted by the allen family. his stepfather really did not like him, so he kept his really name poe. his worst fears were being buried alive and getting trapped in a cage.

if that helps...

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2005