A Comparison Of The Gothic Literature Of Edgar Allan Poe

At a glance, it might seem that the works which have been analysed in this study are indisputably similar.

A Gothic novel as revealed through the various illustrations explains to the readers a world filled with terror, horror, madness, mystery and unsolved crime. The gothic fiction germinated in the latter part of the 18th century. Various causes have been ascribed for the Gothic origin and development. When Poe appeared on the American literary scene, more than seventy years old tradition in Gothic writing existed. At its best, Gothic literature evokes the emotional response from its readers as do nightmares and night terrors.

Edgar Allan Poe was an American poet, short story writer, editor, critic, essayist and one of the leaders of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of the macabre and mystery, Poe was one of the early American practitioners of the short story and a pioneer of detective fiction. When Poe appeared on the American literary scene, more than seventy years old tradition in Gothic writing existed. He was considered as “the symbol American artist who couldn’t fit in the ignorant world around”; his works were “the literature of the 20th century”.

In his more memorable tales Poe capitalizes on the contemporary interest in the Gothic. It should be remembered that there are no Gothic ruins in America. In his ratio native tales Poe looks beyond the illusion of human violence and tries to arrive at a truth which is easily understandable to us.