The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 4 Informative Summary

Overview:

This volume contains 16 short stories and essays from Edgar Allan Poe’s “Raven Edition”. It showcases his mastery of language, his use of vivid imagery, and his exploration of dark themes like death, madness, and the supernatural. The collection spans a range of topics and genres, offering readers a glimpse into Poe’s diverse literary talent.

The volume begins with a whimsical story titled “The Devil in the Belfry,” which details the disruption of a perfectly orderly village, Vondervotteimittiss, by a mischievous foreign figure who sets all the clocks to striking thirteen. This tale satirizes the obsession with order and tradition, highlighting Poe’s playful side.

Moving beyond satire, the collection delves into Poe’s signature gothic style in stories like “Metzengerstein.” This tale, set in Hungary, explores themes of rivalry, revenge, and the supernatural, focusing on the connection between a young Baron and a fiery-colored horse that appears to possess supernatural powers.

Key Findings:

Poe’s works explore themes of death, madness, and the supernatural.
He is a master of language, using vivid imagery and evocative prose.
Poe often satirizes societal norms and conventions.
His works have enduring popularity and continue to be analyzed and interpreted.

Learning:

Literary devices: The volume demonstrates Poe’s skillful use of literary devices such as symbolism, irony, and allegory. These techniques enhance the meaning and impact of his stories, creating layered interpretations and enriching the reading experience.
- Symbolism: The raven in “The Raven,” for example, symbolizes loss, grief, and the lingering presence of the past.
- Irony: In “The Devil in the Belfry,” the villagers’ obsession with order and their reliance on clocks ironically lead to chaos when the clocks go haywire.
- Allegory: “Metzengerstein” can be interpreted as an allegory for the destructive nature of revenge and the cyclical nature of violence between rival families.
Gothic Style: The volume illustrates Poe’s mastery of the gothic genre. His stories often feature dark and atmospheric settings, supernatural elements, and psychological tension, creating a sense of suspense and dread.
Themes of Mortality and Madness: Many of Poe’s works explore the themes of mortality and madness. These themes are often interwoven, as characters grapple with the fragility of life and the limits of human reason.

Historical Context:

These works were written in the 19th century, during a period of rapid industrialization and social change.
Poe’s works reflect the anxieties and uncertainties of this era, particularly in relation to the rise of technology and the erosion of traditional values.
The stories also reflect the influence of romanticism and the gothic literary tradition.

Facts:

The Raven Edition: This collection is part of Poe’s “Raven Edition,” which was published after his death and includes many of his most famous works.
Project Gutenberg: The ebook is available for free through Project Gutenberg, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting access to digital books.
The Devil in the Belfry: In the story, the villagers of Vondervotteimittiss are obsessed with order and their clocks, which are all perfectly synchronized.
Lionizing: This story satirizes the pursuit of fame and the superficiality of society, featuring a man who rises to prominence based solely on his “remarkable” nose.
Metzengerstein: The story is set in Hungary, where the families of Berlifitzing and Metzengerstein have been at odds for centuries.
The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether: This story satirizes the medical practices of the time, particularly the “soothing system” used to treat mental illness.
The Literary Life of Thingum Bob, Esq.: Thingum Bob is a fictional character who embodies the ambition and often unethical practices of the literary world.
How to Write a “Blackwood” Article: This essay, written in the voice of a character named Psyche Zenobia, satirizes the writing style and practices of Blackwood’s Magazine.
Mellonta Tauta: This story is a futuristic satire that critiques the social and intellectual advancements of Poe’s time.
The Duc de L’Omelette: This short story is a satirical take on the excesses of the French aristocracy, with a Duke who dies of disgust after eating an ortolan.
The Oblong Box: This story is a mystery and suspense tale that features a man who is convinced that his friend is hiding a painting in an oblong box.
Loss of Breath: This humorous story is about a man who loses his breath after a heated argument with his wife.
The Man That Was Used Up: This story is a satire on the superficiality of military heroism, featuring a General whose body is mostly composed of artificial limbs.
The Business Man: This story satirizes the obsession with method and order, featuring a man who finds success in various “business” ventures, despite his eccentric personality.
The Landscape Garden: This essay, written in the voice of the narrator, explores the concept of landscape gardening and the ways in which it can be used to create a sense of beauty and spiritual connection.
Maelzel’s Chess-Player: This story examines the mystery surrounding the chess-playing automaton created by Baron Kempelen and exhibited by Maelzel.
The Power of Words: This allegorical conversation between two characters, Eiros and Charmion, delves into the nature of creation, knowledge, and the power of words.
The Colloquy of Monos and Una: This story is a dialogue between two characters, Monos and Una, who are reconnected after death. It explores themes of mortality, the nature of consciousness, and the search for meaning beyond the physical world.
The Conversation of Eiros and Charmion: This story is a dialogue between two characters, Eiros and Charmion, who are discussing the impending destruction of the Earth by a comet.
Shadow—A Parable: This parable, told by the character Oinos, explores the theme of death and the unknown world beyond the grave.

Statistics:

16 stories and essays: The volume contains 16 works by Poe, representing a diverse range of his writing styles and themes.
2050: Year of a disastrous earthquake: This earthquake destroyed a town that had been densely packed with houses, leaving little evidence for modern-day antiquarians.
1847: Date of the laying of a cornerstone: The inscription on a granite block unearthed in the Emperor’s garden mentions the year 1847 as the date when a cornerstone was laid for a monument to George Washington.
450 million dollars: The young heir, Ellison, inherits this vast fortune from his ancestor, Seabright Ellison, a significant sum that forces his contemporaries to re-evaluate the idea of wealth and its impact.
10 earthly years: Charmion had been in Aidenn for ten earthly years before she encountered Eiros.
794 years: The cyclical nature of the universe is a central theme in the story “Shadow—A Parable,” and the year when Jupiter is conjoined with Saturn is referenced.
7: The number seven holds significance in the parable, as there are seven people in the room with Zoilus, seven lamps, and seven candles.
3 centuries: The “wild star” that the Angel of the Odd speaks about in “The Power of Words” was created three centuries ago.
1: The narrator of “The Man That Was Used Up” states that his friend, General Smith, is “one of the most remarkable men of the age.”
500 dollars: In “The Business Man,” the narrator’s integrity is tested when a corporation asks him to demolish a building, and he refuses. He is then arrested and jailed, highlighting the sometimes corrupt nature of “business” practices.
1 dollar and 25 cents: The narrator of “The Business Man” proudly proclaims that he made a profit of $1.25 from his “Assault-and-Battery” business, showcasing his methodical business habits.
4 pence a piece: The original version of the Cat-Act offered a premium of four pence for cat heads.
3 crops: The narrator of “The Business Man” claims to be able to produce three crops of cat tails per year by using Macassar oil.
106 degrees: The narrator of “The Business Man” claims to have worn a double-padded bobtail frock in 106-degree heat, showcasing his dedication to his profession.
12 1/2 cents: The narrator of “The Business Man” charges 12 1/2 cents per leg per hour for standing on one leg to show off new-style strapped pants.
6 feet: In “The Oblong Box,” the narrator carefully measures the oblong box, finding it to be six feet in length.
2 and a half feet: The oblong box is also 2 and a half feet in breadth.
48 hours: The ship rides safely for 48 hours during a gale, before the hurricane intensifies.
3 men: The “Independence” ship loses three men overboard during the storm.
14 passengers: After the longboat leaves the ship, 14 passengers remain on board, including the captain, Mr. Wyatt and his party, and the narrator.

Terms:

Nosology: The science of noses; a satirical concept introduced in the story “Lionizing”.
Bizarreries: A term used in “How to Write a “Blackwood” Article” to describe the exaggerated, sensational, and often nonsensical writing style of Blackwood’s Magazine.
Intensities: A term used in “How to Write a “Blackwood” Article” to describe a specific type of writing in Blackwood’s Magazine that focuses on extreme emotions and sensational experiences.
Dolce far niente: A state of sweet idleness or inactivity; used to describe the relaxed atmosphere at the university during the Baron Ritzner von Jung’s stay in “Mystification”.
Art-mystifique: The art of mystification, a skill the Baron Ritzner von Jung possesses in “Mystification”.
Argent comptant: A French phrase meaning “cash on delivery”; used in “The Literary Life of Thingum Bob, Esq.” to describe the magazine’s reluctance to pay contributors immediately.
Nom-de-guerre: A pseudonym or assumed name; used in both “The Literary Life of Thingum Bob, Esq.” and “Mellonta Tauta” to describe the use of fictional names by authors.
Ennui: A feeling of boredom and listlessness, commonly experienced by the narrator of “Mellonta Tauta” while aboard the balloon.
A priori: A philosophical approach that begins with assumptions or axioms; contrasted with “a posteriori” in “Mellonta Tauta.”
A posteriori: A philosophical approach that relies on empirical observation and inductive reasoning; contrasted with “a priori” in “Mellonta Tauta.”

Examples:

The Devil in the Belfry: The story is an example of Poe’s use of satire to critique societal norms. The villagers’ obsession with order and their reliance on clocks ironically lead to chaos when the clocks go haywire.
Lionizing: This story exemplifies Poe’s satire of the pursuit of fame and the superficiality of society. The protagonist’s rise to prominence based solely on his “remarkable” nose is absurd and comical.
Metzengerstein: The story is an example of Poe’s use of gothic themes and suspense to create a chilling atmosphere. The Baron’s fascination with the fiery-colored horse and the mysterious events that occur suggest a supernatural force at play.
The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether: This story satirizes the medical practices of the time, particularly the “soothing system” used to treat mental illness. The use of absurd therapies and the eventual revelation that the superintendent is himself insane highlight the absurdity of these practices.
The Literary Life of Thingum Bob, Esq.: Thingum Bob is a fictional character who embodies the ambition and often unethical practices of the literary world. His pursuit of fame and fortune, using trickery and manipulation, is a satire of the literary scene.
How to Write a “Blackwood” Article: The essay itself serves as a humorous example of a “Blackwood” article, mimicking the magazine’s style with its exaggerated claims, fantastical scenarios, and nonsensical phrases.
Mellonta Tauta: The story is an example of Poe’s use of satire to critique the social and intellectual advancements of his time. The futuristic society described in the story is full of absurdities and contradictions, highlighting the shortcomings of human progress.
The Duc de L’Omelette: The story satirizes the excesses of the French aristocracy and the preoccupation with luxury and pleasure. The Duke’s death from disgust after eating an ortolan is a comical and ironic commentary on his decadent lifestyle.
The Oblong Box: The story is an example of Poe’s use of suspense and mystery to create an unsettling atmosphere. The narrator’s obsessive curiosity about the oblong box and the eventual revelation of its contents create a sense of intrigue and horror.
Loss of Breath: This story illustrates Poe’s playful side, using a humorous premise to explore the absurdity of everyday life. The man’s inability to breathe after an argument with his wife leads to a series of farcical and absurd events.

Conclusion: This volume showcases the breadth and depth of Edgar Allan Poe’s literary genius. His mastery of language, his use of vivid imagery, and his exploration of dark and disturbing themes are on full display. From whimsical satire to chilling suspense, Poe’s stories offer a unique and unforgettable reading experience, exploring the complexities of human nature, the fragility of life, and the mysteries of the unknown. The historical context of these works adds another layer of depth, reminding us that Poe’s concerns about the rapid changes of the 19th century are still relevant today.

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