Edgar Allen Poe is one of the most famous American Poets of the nineteenth century. His “life had many hardships that inspired his work. Readers can clearly see connection to Poe and the other people in his life to the characters in his peoples and stories. Many of Poe’s works may seem normal at first, but almost always end in tragedy, just as his life did” (Edgar Allen Poe’s Inspiration 1). Specifically, he called his poem “The Raven” “The greatest poem that ever was written” (Ackroyd 119). It is clear then, that Poe’s writing of “The Raven” was greatly influenced by the event that took place in his short and tragic life.
The Life of Edgar Allen Poe and “The Raven” both clearly exhibit the theme …show more content…
This is connected to make instances of loss of loved ones during Poe’s own life. Both of Poe’s parents died when he was very young. His father left the family and was probably taken ill and died before Edgar was 2 (Binns 8-9). His mother, Elizabeth Poe was an actress who supported her family off of little pay (Binns 8). She “became ill and gave her last performance on October 11th 1811” (Binns 9). Less than three months later she died with her three “children by her side” (Binns 9). Not yet three years old, this left young Edgar and orphan (Binns 9). After the death of his parents, Edger went to live with the Allen family in Richmond, Virginia (Binns 10). Later, while he was in grammar school, he met a boy whose name was Robert Stanard (Binns 18-19). “Robert’s mother, Jane, was a kind and beautiful woman. Edgar was about fourteen years old when he met her. He came to think of her as a substitute mother” (Binns 18-19). However, tragedy struck and “In April 1824, Jane Stanard died after a period of mental illness. Edgar regularly “[visited] her grave at night” because he was so overcome with grief (Binns 19). “In the year after Mrs. Stanard’s death he met, and became attached to, a fifteen-year-old girl” Elmira