One common theme is death. In many of his stories, death is either a central event or a looming presence. Another theme is madness. Characters often descend into madness, like the narrator in 'The Tell - Tale Heart'. And there's also the theme of the supernatural. For example, in 'The Raven', the talking raven is a supernatural element.
Poe's detective fiction is highly significant. His stories, like 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue', introduced many elements that became staples in the detective genre. For instance, the brilliant detective character, in this case, C. Auguste Dupin, who uses his extraordinary powers of observation and deduction to solve seemingly impossible crimes. Poe set the template for future detective stories with his focus on mystery, logic, and the unraveling of complex plots.
Poe's detective fiction has had a huge influence. It inspired many later detective writers. Conan Doyle, for instance, was clearly influenced by Poe when creating Sherlock Holmes. The basic structure of a detective using his wits to solve a crime was borrowed from Poe.
In Poe's detective fiction, the atmosphere is often gloomy and mysterious. This adds to the allure of the stories. For example, in 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue', the strange and brutal murders in a locked room create a sense of horror and intrigue. The way Dupin solves the case by using his extraordinary powers of observation and logic is fascinating.
Poe's first novel is 'The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket'. In this novel, Poe takes readers on a journey that is both physical and psychological. The protagonist's experiences on the high seas are full of perils and strange occurrences. It shows Poe's early exploration of themes like the power of nature, the limits of human understanding, and the sense of the uncanny. The narrative is complex and engaging, with Poe's characteristic use of detailed and often macabre descriptions that draw the reader in and keep them hooked until the end.
It was moderately accurate. Some details might have been fictionalized for literary effect, but the core themes and events were based on real inspirations.