Poe Mental Illness

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Noah Sozanski English Period 7 Edgar Allan Poe was born in January of 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Edgar, np)At the age of three Poe watched his mother die of tuberculosis. (Edgar, np) His father was abusive and left the family when Poe was young. (Edgar, np) as a result Poe was separated form his siblings and left in foster care. (Edgar, np) Later in life Poe suffered from alcoholism and depression. (Edgar, np) In the short stories “Cask of Amontillado” and “Fall of the House of Usher” Poe’s influences of death and mental illness are clearly shown. Edgar’s life is evident in his literature. Poe was surrounded by death in his life and this influence can be seen in the “Cask of Amontillado”. The death of his mother tormented him severely. (Edgar, np) Also the death of his wife drove him into alcoholism. (Edgar, np) in fact all…show more content…
Roderick plots to kill his sister so she will not marry and bear children which would ultimately carry on the Usher curse. In fact he has a coffin in the basement with her name on it in which he plans to bury her alive in. (Poe, Fall np) The setting also reflects a sense of death. “Everything surrounding the castle is decayed or dying.” (Poe, Fall np) Also the house itself is cracked old and dying. In the end all of the Ushers die with the house. Mental illness or instability was a key influence in Poe’s character. Poe himself suffered from depression. (Edgar, np) Poe became insane and was often drunk as he struggled through Virginia’s sickness. (Edgar, np) His life was spiraling out of control. (Edgar, np) This influence can also be seen in the “Cask of Amontillado”. The character playing montressor, driven by his insanity led him to plan a horrible death for fortunado. “A succession of loud and shrill screams didn’t stop him from continuing to build the wall. (Poe, Cask 202) in the end he feels no guilt and says “In Pace Requiescat” (Poe, Cask
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