《美国文学》课件十二

Why was Poe misunderstood in American?
• It has got good reasons for his bad reputation at his homeland: • Firstly, as a critic Poe was perceptive, but he wrote some scathing criticism on the works of such distinguished New England literary celebrities as H.W.Longfellow (1807-1882); • Secondly, his literary executor, Rufus Griswold sully his reputation; • Thirdly, Poe's own work at times corroborate Griswold's and many others that he was an evil genius.
"The Raven"
• Poe offered his own poem "The Raven" as an illustration of his poetical theory. • It is about 100 lines, perfectly readable at one sitting. A sense of melancholy over the death of a beloved beautiful young woman pervades the whole poem: the portrayal of a young man grieving for his lost Lenore, his grief being turned to madness under the steady one-word repetition of the talking bird introduced right at the beginning of the poem:
7) In October 1849, he died in loneliness, poverty, intoxication（吸毒成瘾） and illness, at the age of 40.
E. A. Poe's Literary Contribution
Poe as a literary critic: the first important literary critic in American literature Poe's critical works: The Philosophy of Composition The Poetic Principle Review of Twice-Told Tales , in which he formulated his theories for both short story and poetry;
Poe's present literary position
Today Poe is recognized as: a great writer of short story, a poet of the first rank, a critic of acumen (敏锐) and insight, one of the greatest writers of the world, with his influence felt world-wide in modern literature.
5) In 1827, Poe had a quarrel with the Allans and ran away to Boston, where he enlisted in the Army for two years, and served at West Point, but was dismissed b e cause of misbehavior about eight months later. 6) In 1835, at the age of 26, Poe married his 13-year-old cousin, whose death in 1847 left Poe inconsolable and bitterer than ever; began to indulge himself in drink and drugs;
Poe's theory about poetry
① Poetry is the most sublime literary form; ②A poem should be short, readable at one sitting; ③ Its chief aim is beauty, namely, to produce a feeling of beauty in the reader; beauty aims at "an elevating excitement of the soul," and "beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme development invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears";
Poe's theory about short story
① readable at one setting, so as to give the reader the totality of impression; ② The very first sentence should help to bring out the “single effect” of the story; ③ No word should be used which does not contribute to the effect; ④ A tale should reveal some logical truth with “the fullest satisfaction”; ⑤ It should end with the last sentence, leaving a sense of finality with the reader.
Poe's theory about poetry
• ④ Melancholy is the most legitimate of all the poetic tones; the death of a beautiful woman is the most poetic topic in the world; • ⑤ “ Pure ” poetry with no social or moral function is the best (opposed to the didacticism of poetry); • ⑥ The rhythm and music of poetry are important; true poetry is “ the rhythmical creation of beauty”.
Poe's Literary Creation
Poe as a poet: As a literary man, Poe is first of all known for his poetry; wrote about 50 poems; included in four collections; well-known poems: “To Helen”; “Annabel Lee”; “ The Raven ” : the best known of Poe’ s poems and exemplifies Poe’s poetic theories in every way; “The City in the Sea”; “Sonnet—To Science”; “Israfel”
"The Raven"
"The Raven"
• Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, • Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten ore-• While I nodded, nearly naping, suddenly there came a tapping, • As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chambre door-• "Tis some visitor," I mutterd, "tapping at my chambre door-• Only this and nothing more."
3) At the age of six Poe went with the Allans to England, and received most of his early education there, and five years later returned to Virginia; 4) In 1826, Poe entered the University of Virginia, and left it after one year because of gambling debts;
Poe's Miserable Life experience
Biographical information of Poe: 1) born in Boston; 2) a miserable childhood: His father died when Poe was one; mother died (aged 24) when he was two. He was taken care of by Mrs. Allan, wife of a wealthy tobacco merchant of Virginia, John Allan, a Scottish man; the Allans failed to offer Poe a normal home.
"The Raven"
• And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting, • On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door; • And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming, • And the lamp-light o'ver him streaming throws his shadow on the floor; • And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor • Shall be lifted--nevermore!
Lecture Twelve Edgar Allan Poe and "The Raven"
Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849)
Poe’s uniqueபைடு நூலகம்position
Poe’s unique position in American literature:
Edgar Allan Poe is a very talented American southern writer. For a long time after his death, Poe remained probably the most controversial and most misunderstood literary figure in the history of American literature.
"The Raven"
•
After he sees the bird, its response--or its imagined one--"never more"--keeps breaking upon the young man's psychic wound ruthlessly and ceaselessly as do the waves on the sea shore until his depression reaches its breaking point: