Edgar Allen Poe and his detective tradition

Автор работы: Таня Юхно, 21 Июня 2010 в 17:34, курсовая работа

Описание

Edgar Allan Poe’s importance as a detective writer may be seen in his pioneering contributions to the genre, in the rich variety, meaning, and significance of his stories, and in their influence on writers the world over. And Poe’s character C. Auguste Dupin, a private detective, became the model for many later fictional detectives.

Содержание

Introduction………………………………………………………………………...3
Part 1……………………………………………………………………………….4
The General overview of the American Literature of the first half of the XIX century………………………………………………………………………...……4
American Revolution and its influence upon the American literature…….4
Outstanding authors of the first half of the XIX century………………….5
Edgar Allan Poe as the creator of detective stories…………………………...9
The definition of the “detective story”…………………………………….9
Poe as the Father of Detective Fiction…………………………………....10
The most famous detective stories of the author…………………………….14
“The Murders in the Rue Morgue”……………………………………….14
"The Mystery of Marie Rogêt"…………………………………………...16
“The Purloined Letter”…………………………………………………...18
Edgar Allan Poe’s contribution into the further development of the detective tradition…………………………………………………………………………....19
Conclusions...……………………………………………………………………..21
References………………………………………………………………………...23

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      Poe did not write any detective novels, just short stories that later on became the most influential pieces of work for the detective story genre.

      E. A. Poe became the father of modern day detective stories by introducing Dupin in "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" as the first detective to use analytical and imaginative reasoning to solve the mystery. "Rue Morgue" was the first of three Poe tales that warrant his distinction as the father of detective fiction and the modern-day mystery. The detective appeared thereafter in “The Mystery of Marie Rogêt” (1842–43), “The Purloined Letter” (1845).

      In just three stories, Poe created the amateur detective and his narrator friend, the locked-room mystery, the talented but eccentric amateur sleuth outwitting the official police force, what Haycraft calls the "catalogue of minutia", interviews with witnesses, the first fictional case of an animal committing a perceived murder, the first armchair detective, the first fictional case which claimed to solve a real murder mystery previously unsolved by police, the concept of hiding something in plain sight so that it is overlooked by everyone who is searching for it, scattering of false clues by the criminal, accusing someone unjustly, the concept of "ratiocination", solution and explanation by the detective, and more.

      Poe was famous for his brilliant and eccentric amateur style. Poe chose to make his stories as realistic as he could provide a fascinating and exciting plot. Many authors have tried to copy the same structure and plots of Poe, but not many have been able to succeed. Exciting and fascinating plots are hard to compose. Poe made it look easy to write such detailed and deep stories.

      Poe had an ability that allowed him to describe a fictional scene so detailed and real it was hard not to believe that it really happened. His ability allowed him to introduce to the world fictional detective stories.

      Poe’s writings are still very appealing to all types of people today.

      From all mentioned facts we can definitely say, that Edgar Allan Poe deserves to be named “the father of the detective story”, and his contribution into the formation of American literature can not be overemphasized. He created so much that is of importance in the field – literally creating the template for all of detective fiction to follow.

      Poe’s influence upon the world was strong and important, introducing his own style, unique structure, and appealingness. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

      References: 

      
  1.  Ackroyd, Peter. Poe, A Life Cut Short. Baltimore: Fishman Books, 1998.
  2. Bailyn, Bernard. The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution. 1992, - p. 298.
  3. Encyclopedia of southern culture. University of North Carolina Press. 1989.
  4. Meyers, Jeffrey. Edgar Allan Poe: his life and legacy. New York City: Charles Scribner's Sons. 1992. 
  5. Poe, Adgar Allan. Tales of Mystery and Imagination. London: Edited by J. M. Dent & Sons. 1912.
  6. Sova, Dawn B. Edgar Allan Poe: A to Z. New York City: Checkmark Books. 2001, - p. 234.
  7. The New Encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. 2005, - p. 2659.
  8. VanSpanckeren, Kathryn. Outline of American Literature. London: Christopher Little, 1994, - P. 22-24, 40-42.
  9. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detective_fiction
  10. http://www.mysterynet.com/edgar-allan-poe/
  11. http://www.essaychief.com/free_essays.php?essay=740727&title=Edgar-Allan-Poe-Tales-Of-Ratiocination
  12. http://www.worlds-best-detective-crime-and-murder-mystery-books.com/1841.html
  13. http://www.nps.gov/edal/forteachers/upload/detective.pdf
  14. http://classic-american-fiction.suite101.com/article.cfm/the-murders-in-the-rue-morgue-by-edgar-allan-poe
  15. http://www.online-literature.com/poe/

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