One of the giants of Gothic literature, Edgar Allan Poe set the standard not only for the genre's frightening plots and characters, but also for what it means to be Goth. Depicted in portraits dressed in black, with haunted, sunken eyes, Poe's bad boy behavior, excessive drinking, vicious feuds with other writers, and harsh critiques of other literary works would also fit well to a punk fanzine than to the literary magazines where he made his name and reputation. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Edgar Allen Poe was born in January 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts. His parents were actors and separated when Poe was young. He was orphaned at the age of two, after his mother and father died in December 1811. Wealthy John and Francis Allen adopted Poe and raised him in their Virginia home. He was educated in England and briefly attended the University of Virginia. After a brief stint in the army, Poe began his career as a writer. Initially, his poetry was not commercially successful. In August 1835 he began working for the literary magazine Southern Literary Messenger. He got off to a rough start due to his excessive drinking, but a few months later he was named editor-in-chief. He published some of his fiction as well as criticism, but was primarily known as a critic. In 1836, Poe, now 27, married his 13-year-old cousin, Virginia. Beginning in 1838, with Arthur Gordon Pym's story, Poe published a series of stories and poems that made him a master of American literature. Later works such as The Rave in 1845 broke new ground in poetry. These poems and his theories of composition helped develop modern perspectives on the aesthetic value of poetry and short stories. In an 1846 essay, Poe sets out what he considers to be the essential elements of good news; illustrated in the Tell-Tale Heart. Primarily, unit of print where a distinctive tone is carried throughout the short story. Additionally, Poe was a founding story for several genres of fiction such as modern horror story, psychological horror story, and even science fiction. Yet Poe's artistic successes were overshadowed by personal trials and tragedies. After losing his wife to tuberculosis in 1847, Poe's alcoholism and depression worsened. Fittingly, Poe's death was somewhat mysterious. On October 3, 1849, he was found in the street poorly dressed, delirious and unable to move. He died four days later. Poe's last words are said to have been "Lord, help my poor soul." Gothic literature emerged in the late 18th century with the publication of the 1764 novel "Castle of Otranto" written by English novelist Horace Walpole. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers. Get Custom Essay Paper Gothic literature emphasized mystery and the supernatural, focusing its attention on the irrational. Stories often provide fragmented information to create suspense and mystery. The Tell-Tale Heart is no exception with its strange setting and possible crazy narrator. The American short story became unpopular due to the increasing availability of magazines. Poe was extremely influential in the short story genre, being a pioneer in establishing the rules of the short story. For example, readers should be able to complete a story in just one..