Edgar Allen Poe's Cause Of Death

Words: 703
Pages: 3
Open Document
Poe’s Cause of Death Have you ever wondered what killed Edgar Allen Poe. Many people still are wondering how and what caused the death of Poe. There have been many claims to how and what killed him, but this mystery has not been solved for sure. In my opinion, Edgar Allen Poe died from alcoholism because of his history, behavior and they way Poe was found. In Poe’s history there is evidence that shows he did struggle with the use of alcohol. For example, in “If Poe had Succeeded When He Said Nevermore to Drink”the text says,”Evidence of Poe's chronic binges is strewn through his letters, in periodic admissions of “recoveries” and promises to his wife, Virginia, and her mother to “reform”.”(Pollin and Benedetto) This quote shows how Poe showed/expressed …show more content…
When Poe was found it was discovered that he was not wearing his own clothes. This suggested that he had been robbed or cheated of his own. Now if Poe was not under the influence of alcohol he would have remembered why he was not in his own clothes. “Poe’s Final Days” says,” He wore neither vest nor tie, his dingy trousers fit badly, his shirt was crumpled, his cheap hat soiled.”(Silverman) This indicates that something had happened to Poe. Another point that supports this claim is when Poe arrived to the hospital he was hallucinating. This quote from “Poe’s Final Days” says,”He talked constantly, Moran said, addressing “spectral and imaginary objects on the walls.”(Silverman) If Poe had not been drunk he would have not been seeing things when he arrived to the hospital. Poe also showed his problems with alcohol through his location where he was found. Edgar Allen Poe was found on October 3, 1849 outside of a bar in Baltimore. This evidence shows that Poe had been inside of a bar drinking and how he had become drunk. In “If Poe had Succeeded When He Said Nevermore to Drink” the text says,”Poe was found outside a Baltimore saloon in an alcoholic stupor.”(Pollin and Benedetto) Like previously stated, this quote shows that Poe was drunk when he was found. Also, Poe had been inside the bar drinking, but many people can also say Poe died from …show more content…
Also, if Poe would have been bitten it could take up to a year for it to appear therefore that would also cause him not to remember it. The text says that Poe could barely drink water but definitely could not drink alcohol. It says if Poe would had had even a single sip of alcohol it would have make him sick for days. And when Poe drank water he was too scared to drink more than a sip. This is called hydrophobia, or fear of water. Poe showed all the signs and symptoms of dying from rabies. We know that Poe did not dye from rabies because there was no bite
Show More

Related Documents: Edgar Allen Poe's Cause Of Death

Edgar Allan Poe Rabies Analysis

There are many different theories on how Edgar Allen Poe died on October 7, 1849. Above are his last words; though, it seems to be a mystery why. Out of all of the speculations one’s like rabies simply don’t add up. Edgar Allen Poe’s death had something to do with alcohol abuse. There is not enough evidence to prove that Poe died from rabies exposure. The article by R. Michael Benitez states that Poe’s cat also died and over the past 20 years (1996) there have been 33 human rabies cases. These are…

Words 523 - Pages 3

The Black Cat Symbolism

Edgar Allan Poe lost so many people he loved to the disease Tuberculosis. He grew up with only a mother because his father abandoned their family. He also had two other siblings. Mrs. Poe died from Tuberculosis. Edgar Poe and his siblings were split up into different homes. He was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Allen. Mrs. Allen also ended up dying from T.B. and his wife died from T.B. as well. The losses Poe suffered influenced the literary elements he used. Poe’s literature often requires the reader…

Words 515 - Pages 3

Essay Po's Death from Alcoholism

Edgar Allen Poe was born on January 19th, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts. He is known as one of America's best writersof all time. He who wrote stories that are deep, dark, thrilling and suspenseful. "His painful life, his neurotic attraction to intense beauty, violent horror, and death, and his sense of the world of dreams contributed to his greatness as a writer." (The Free Dictionary) No one knows how Edgar Allen Poe died. There are about twenty different theories about how Poe died The…

Words 822 - Pages 4

The Black Cat: The Freudian Theory

Edgar Allen Poe’s The Black Cat along with many of his other works serve as a platform for him to indulge in his repressed fantasies, and live vicariously through his characters who represent the seemingly unrelenting conflict between his moral compass and subconscious desires. The main players in the majority of his tales seem reflect the Freudian components of his personality, which are constantly at war with one another. The Freudian Theory claims that childhood experiences and conflicts have…

Words 718 - Pages 3

Edgar Allan Poe Accomplishments

style madmen writing all. This man was Edgar Allan Poe. He even invented rules for writing a detective story that modern authors still use today. Although his life was short and not filled with fame, Edgar Allan Poe became an inspiration for writers around the world. His novels, short stories, and poems, are still used today as academic references in schools. Edgar Allan Poe overall had a major impact on future generations because of his literary works. Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809…

Words 1007 - Pages 5

Symbolism In The Masque Of The Red Death

an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. In the story “Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allen Poe, that's precisely what a majority of Europe's population was experiencing. However, the main characters actions played a major role in his own downfall. The hidden message in Poe’s allegory is throughout all stages of life, death is inevitable, and if you ignore the sins you have created it only adds to the collapse of our…

Words 438 - Pages 2

Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven

has had many meanings. The symbolism of a raven in Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven can help illustrate not only Poe’s feelings, but also one of the ways ravens can be symbolic of death and loss. Edgar Allen Poe is a great poet who was born in January of 1809 and began writing at the age of 28. The lines “My books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore” in his poem The Raven, can help illustrate how Poe’s life made him feel and act. Many of Poe’s works can be thought of as reflecting the mood and…

Words 876 - Pages 4

The Masque Of The Red Death Clock Analysis

In “The Masque of the Red Death”, Edgar Allen Poe uses the clock, the seven rooms, and the Red Death to show the inevitability of death and the inability to sojourn it. Poe uses the clock as a constant reminder that the end is imminent and unpreventable. The clock sits in the westernmost room symbolizing Death’s final judgement. The clock itself, ringing its eerie and melodious chime every hour, causes “a brief disconcert of the whole gay company” (Poe 2) whenever it would sound. The seven rooms…

Words 262 - Pages 2

Comparing The Black Cat And The Masque Of The Red Death

Edgar Allen Poe was a very famous writer who liked to include mystery and horror into his writing. In Poe’s story “The Black Cat” the narrator is a drunk who kills his cat and even his wife. When the police come to his house to inspect everything, they eventually find the body of his deceased wife and cat within the walls of his house. In his story “The Masque Of The Red Death” the prince has all of his closest friends and family in his castle to keep everyone safe from the plaque. Then an unwanted…

Words 634 - Pages 3

Alcoholism In The Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe: The Influence of Alcoholism and Death on “The Cask of Amontillado” Edgar Allan Poe was an American author and poet who lived from 1809 to 1849. His most widely-read works include “The Tell-Tale Heart”, “The Fall of the House of Usher” and “The Raven”. One of his short stories, “The Cask of Amontillado”, is about a man called Montresor, who is consumed with getting revenge on an Italian wine-taster, Fortunato, for an insult that is never fully explained. Under the pretence that…

Words 1813 - Pages 8