One of the giants of Gothic literature, Edgar Allan Poe set the standard not only for the genre's disturbing plot and characters, but also for what it means to be a 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 criticisms of other literary works would fit as well in a punk fanzine as they do in the literary magazines where he has made a name and a reputation. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an 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 both his mother and father died in December 1811. The wealthy John and Francis Allen adopted Poe and raised him in their home in Virginia. He was educated in England and briefly attended the University of Virginia. After a brief stint in the army, Poe began his writing career. Initially his poetry was not commercially successful. In August 1835 he began working for the literary magazine Southern Literary Messenger. He had a difficult start due to his excessive drinking, but within a few months he was appointed editor. He published some of his novels and reviews, but was known primarily as a critic. In 1836, Poe, now 27, married his 13-year-old cousin, Virginia. Starting in 1838 with Arthur Gordon Pym's short story, Poe published a series of short stories and poems that established him as a master of American literature. Later works such as The Rave in 1845 opened new poetic horizons. These poems and his theories on composition helped develop modern perspectives on the aesthetic value of poetry and short stories. In an 1846 essay, Poe set out what he considered the essential elements of a good story; exemplified in the Tell-Tale Heart. Mainly, the unity of impression in which a distinctive tone is present throughout the tale. Furthermore, Poe was the founding story of several genres of fiction such as modern horror story, psychological horror story, and even science fiction. However, 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 on the street poorly dressed, delirious and unable to move. He died four days later. Poe's last words were reportedly "Lord, help my poor soul." Gothic literature emerged at the end of the 18th century with the publication of the 1764 novel "The Castle of Otranto", written by the English novelist Horace Walpole. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Customize EssayGothic literature accentuated mystery and the supernatural, focusing its attention on the irrational. Narratives often provide fragmented information to create suspense and mystery. The Tell-Tale Heart is no exception with its disturbing setting and possible mad 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 defining the rules of the short story. For example, readers should be able to finish a story in a single setting, writers should aim for unity of effect and nothing should distract from story design, and while they should be imaginative, stories should always tell the story..