“P(oe)sychology”: The Psychoanalytic Examination of the Theme of Death in Poe’s Works

Year 2019, Volume: 8 Issue: 10, 55 - 62, 31.12.2019

Kubra Bodur

Abstract

Edgar Allan Poe, one of the most powerful names in
American and Anglo-Saxon literature, was a writer, poet, editor and literary
critic associated with the American Romantic Movement. He became known for his
mysterious and horrible stories. He was one of the first American writers of
the short story genre. Poe was also respected in the field of literature for
his contributions to the science fiction genre that emerged during the same
period. His best-known works were generally Gothic and focused on issues such
as separation, death, the resurrection of the dead and mourning. Poe's style is
considered one of the cornerstones of the dark-romantic movement. It is
generally seen as a desperate and mysterious figure hidden in the shadows of
moonlit gravestones or hidden in the ruins of the ruined castles. But of
course, this image is a characterized and inadequate description of the
existing Poe. Poe was not the first Gothic writer, but he was undeniably one of
the strongest. This article focuses on the probable psychological analysis of
why Poe's stories work so intensely and "live" in death, gloom, and
grief.

Keywords

edgar allan poe, gothic literature, death, psychoanalysis

References

• Casssuto, L., (2011). “Edgar Allan Poe: Literary Theory and Criticism”, Dover Publications
• McCarty, P. (2015). "Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart: A Critical Analysis: A smart, decisive literary analysis", Pegasus Publications
• Poe, E.A., (2002). “Butun Hikayeleri”, Ithaki Yayinlari
• Schelegel, C., (2007). “Edgar Allan Poe: The Raven- Analysis”, GRIN Publishing