edgar allen poe philosephy on short fiction

Edgar Allen Poe's philosophy on short fiction was centered around the idea of creating a mood or atmosphere. He thought that every element in a short story, from the setting to the characters' actions, should contribute to this overall mood. In his view, a short story was not meant to be a long - winded exploration of multiple themes but rather a concise creation of a particular feeling. Take 'The Fall of the House of Usher', where the gloomy setting and the characters' deteriorating mental states work together to create a sense of doom and dread.

One of the main themes is death. Poe often explores the mystery and finality of death in his stories. For example, in 'The Fall of the House of Usher', the decay and death of the Usher family are central. Another theme is madness. His characters often struggle with their sanity, like in 'The Tell - Tale Heart' where the narrator's guilt drives him to madness. And horror is also a big theme, with Poe creating a sense of unease and terror through his descriptions of dark and spooky settings.

Some of his best short stories include 'The Tell - Tale Heart'. It's a chilling tale of a man haunted by the sound of his victim's heartbeat. Another great one is 'The Fall of the House of Usher', which creates an atmosphere of doom and decay. 'The Cask of Amontillado' is also a classic, with its tale of revenge in the catacombs.

The main themes include death. Poe was fascinated with death, and it shows in his short stories. It could be sudden, like in some of his more macabre tales. Madness is also a big theme. The characters' mental states are often unstable, which leads to strange and sometimes terrifying actions. And there's the theme of isolation. Many of his characters are isolated, either physically or mentally, which contributes to their downfall.

Well, Poe's detective fictions are noted for their intricate plots. They are not straightforward but full of twists and turns. Take 'The Purloined Letter' as an example. The solution to the mystery lies in something that seems so obvious yet is overlooked by most. Also, his use of psychological elements is significant. The detective's mental processes are often explored, which adds depth to the stories.

One of the best is 'The Tell - Tale Heart'. It's a short story that delves deep into the mind of a narrator who is clearly insane. The way Poe builds the tension through the narrator's paranoia about the old man's 'vulture - like' eye is masterful. It's a great example of Poe's ability to create a disturbing and engaging psychological horror.

The narrator in 'The Tell - Tale Heart' is quite memorable. His paranoia and guilt over the murder he committed make him stand out. He is constantly on edge, hearing the beating of the old man's heart even after he has killed him. Another is Roderick Usher from 'The Fall of the House of Usher'. His frail mental and physical state, as well as his connection to the decaying family mansion, are very striking.

Some of his best short stories include 'The Tell - Tale Heart'. It's a chilling tale of a man's descent into madness as he is haunted by the sound of his victim's beating heart. Another great one is 'The Cask of Amontillado', which is a story of revenge set in a catacomb.

One memorable character is Fortunato from 'The Cask of Amontillado'. He is so trusting and yet ends up being walled up alive by Montresor. His naivete and the way he is lured to his doom is very striking. Another is the protagonist in 'The Black Cat'. His descent into madness and his relationship with the cat, which he both loves and hates, is quite memorable. And of course, the Usher twins in 'The Fall of the House of Usher' with their strange connection and the overall eerie feeling they bring to the story.

The main reason could be Poe's diverse inspirations and the different themes he wanted to explore in each story.