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Edgar Allan Poe Essay, Research Paper

Crystal Barrey

For some class

on some date

with some professor

The Influence of Family and Friends on Poe

Over the course of Poe?s forty year stay on Earth, he was exposed early to several

key people who would have a profound impact on his writings. Though this idea in and of

itself is not uncommon in literature, for Poe it went far beyond being merely influenced.

Beginning at age 3 when he lost his parents, Poe was subjected to a difficult life that

would later play heavily in his works. Between his foster father (John Allan), his first love

(Sarah Elmis Royster) and his young first wife (Virginia Cleem), Poe?s contacts largely

dictated his works. How was it that such an obviously brilliant individual like Poe allowed

himself to be mentally manipulated by these people? To answer this question, it is

necessary to take a step back and first get a little background.

Edgar Allen Poe was born on January 19, 1809 to two struggling actors, David

and Elizabeth Poe. When his father died at the age of 36, Edgar was left alone with his

pregnant mother. He traveled with his mother and sister from theater to theater, often

sleeping backstage. When his mother died of tuberculosis on December 11, 1811 at the

young age of 24, Edgar and his sister, Rosalie, were orphaned. Edgar was only two years

old. His sister was sent to live with a Mrs. Mackenzie when she was one, Edgar went to

live with John and Frances Allen. Edgar’s older brother William, was already living with

their grandfather, David Poe, Sr., because at the time of his birth, David and Elizabeth

could not afford to care for him. Edgar moved to Richmond, Virginia with the Allan?s,

where he had many luxuries that he had never had before. He had his own bedroom in the

apartment above John Allen’s store, Ellis & Allen, and even servants to help him wash

before bed and put away his clothes.

Growing up, Edgar never got along with his foster father, often arguing with him,

and rarely showing any affection. John Allen once even described his son as “miserable,

sulky, and ill-tempered”. There was also the matter of Edgar’s alcoholism, which brought

shame upon his foster family and friends. Even his beloved first fiancee Sarah Elmira

Royster, eventually refused to see him, because of his drinking habits. One night after a

particularly bitter argument with Mr. Allen, he decided to leave his home and go to

Boston.

Boston was only the short term answer and soon Poe was disillusioned with the

city. After an unpleasant month in Boston, Edgar was once again on the road. After

having a few poems published and withdrawing from a military academy he eventually

wound up in Baltimore, Maryland, penniless. He soon found that his relatives there were

as poor as he was. Even so, they welcomed him into their homes and hearts. He stayed for

a while in the home of his aunt, Maria Clemm. Also living with Mrs. Clemm were her two

children, Henry, 13, and Virginia; Poe’s cousin and future wife. In addition, his paralyzed

grandmother and his dying brother William, 24 also resided there. He tried unsuccessfully

to get a job at several newspapers, before seeing a contest for the best short story in the

local paper. Being rather poor, Poe proceeded writing short stories in attempt to win the

$100 winners? prize. Even though he did not win the $100 for his efforts, Poe did have

some of the stories published in the years to come, but he never had anything to show for

it , because the newspaper did not give him credit for writing the stories.

Poe was offered a job back in Richmond, and he had to leave Baltimore(and worse,

Virginia, with whom he had fallen in love) to take the job. He rapidly fell into depression

while in Richmond over the absence of his beloved Virginia and was driven once again to

drinking.

. Poe’s drinking had gotten out of hand and he was fired. He went back to

Baltimore on the spot and asked for Virginia’s hand in marriage. They got married a year

later. Soon after he was wed, he was re-offered the job in Richmond, but only if he

promised to never drink again. He promised to never let another sip of liquor pass his lips,

and went to Richmond, this time taking Virginia and his aunt Maria. This would prove to

be the high point of Poe?s life. Not due to any success or recognition, but more

importantly he was happy if only for a brief time.

In the years to come there would be both better and worse times in Edgar’s life.

After moving from the city his life totally fell apart, he had to shut down his newspaper

because of bad reviews, his wife was growing increasingly ill, and he was sick as well. He

eventually broke his vow and went back to drinking, which only caused problems. Several

times he was found wandering drunk in the streets of New York where he had recently

relocated with his wife and mother-in-law after taking an editing job at the Broadway

Journal. Virginia did not take to life in the city, however, and asked Edgar to move to the

country. Eager to please his beloved wife, who was stricken with tuberculosis, he agreed.

Virginia’s long struggle finally ended on January 29, 1847 at the age of 24, the very

age as Edgar’s mother when she died. After her death Poe was inconsolable, once again

thrown into the depths of depression and despair.

If there were any positives about Virginia?s

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