Looking at the representation of Edgar Allan Poe in the works of literary scholars reveals an ambivalent positioning. While some celebrate him as one of the most ingenious writers in America, if not in the world, others reject him for the fact that they consider him racist, sexist, elitist and anti-democratic. However, both sides are – in one way or the other – fascinated by Poe and his works, who has thus become one of the most discussed American authors.
This paper will examine a specific part of Poe's manifold bibliography, namely a selection of short stories, and work out how names are used to establish, convey or support a certain attitude or underlying meaning. Yet the objects of investigation are not necessarily solely names of the characters, since Poe has also assigned certain names to, for instance, buildings (in The Fall of the House of Usher) or beverages (in The Cask of Amontillado), which are not less important to the respective stories than the characters' names and are therefore to be taken into consideration as well.
In order to assume a certain theoretical background, this paper will start with a brief description of the general way in which Edgar Allan Poe wrote (and intended to write) literary texts in order to help to estimate which relevance should be assigned to specific details (names). A second theoretical section deals with the overall function of names in literature. What follows is the analytic part of this paper, namely the analysis of the significance of certain names in four of Poe's short stories. The analysis will start with The Fall of the House of Usher as both one of the most famous and one of the most controversially discussed of Poe's tales and deal with the way how names support the story's interpretation. The next section will deal with The Cask of Amontillado, adding special emphasis on the reliability of the narrator, based on the way in which the story is told and names are used. Thirdly, the center of attention will be Poe's The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether and, accordingly, political references which are conveyed by the use of names. Finally, The Mystery of Marie Rogêt is analyzed as an example of a story which was written after real events. Here, it is especially rather the question for the reasons of the renaming than the question for the origin of the respective name (which in this case is not only obvious, but also explained in the story itself.
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Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Poe's general approach to the writing of a literary text
- The role of names in literary texts
- Names and character traits in The Fall of the House of Usher
- Roderick and Madeline Usher
- The House of Usher
- Names and social status in The Cask of Amontillado
- Montresor
- Fortunato
- Amontillado, Medoc, and De Grâve
- Political references of characters' names in The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether
- Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether
- Monsieur Maillard
- The realization of references to real persons in The Mystery of Marie Rogêt
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the significance of names in selected short stories by Edgar Allan Poe, exploring how they contribute to the meaning and interpretation of the narratives. The analysis will examine how Poe uses names not only for characters but also for settings and objects, revealing their potential symbolic weight.
- The intentional use of names in Poe's short stories and their contribution to the overall meaning.
- The relationship between character names and their traits or social status.
- The use of names to convey political or historical references.
- The connection between real-life events and the names used in Poe's fictional narratives.
- The potential for multiple interpretations of names and their meanings within Poe's work.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the ambivalent reception of Edgar Allan Poe's works, highlighting both his celebrated ingenuity and criticisms of his writing as racist, sexist, elitist, and anti-democratic. The paper's objective is defined: to examine the function of names in a selection of Poe's short stories, considering not only character names but also those assigned to settings and objects. It outlines the structure of the paper, which will begin with a discussion of Poe's general writing approach and the role of names in literature before proceeding to detailed analyses of specific stories.
Poe's general approach to the writing of a literary text: This chapter contrasts Poe's writing style with that of Romantic writers, arguing that while his works were produced during the American Romantic period, his approach was more scientific and deliberate than purely emotional. It discusses Poe's emphasis on planning and precision, contrasting it with the spontaneous overflow of emotion characteristic of Romantic writers like Wordsworth. The chapter also explores the debated relationship between Poe and his narrators, considering whether the narrators are simply reflections of the author or independent entities with their own motivations and perspectives. The chapter concludes that Poe's rigorous planning suggests that the names he chose for characters and entities were not random but served a specific purpose within the narratives.
The role of names in literary texts: This chapter explores the general function of names in both literary and real-life contexts. It highlights the dual purpose of names: unambiguous identification and the conveyance of meaning. The chapter lays the groundwork for the subsequent analysis of Poe's short stories by providing a theoretical framework for understanding the significance of names in literature.
Names and character traits in The Fall of the House of Usher: This chapter will delve into the symbolic significance of names in Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher," analyzing how the names of Roderick and Madeline Usher, as well as the name of the house itself, contribute to the overall atmosphere and interpretation of the story. It will explore the potential connections between the names and the characters' traits and destinies, examining how the names reinforce the themes of decay, entrapment, and the intertwined fates of the family and the house.
Names and social status in The Cask of Amontillado: This chapter examines the use of names in Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado," focusing on the names of Montresor and Fortunato and their implications for social status and the power dynamics between the characters. It will explore how the names reflect the characters' social standing and how the narrator's manipulation of language and names contributes to the overall unsettling atmosphere and unreliable narration. It also explores the significance of the wine names (Amontillado, Medoc, and De Grâve) and how they relate to the characters and their social standing.
Political references of characters' names in The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether: This chapter will analyze the names in Poe's "The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether," focusing on how the names and their potential political and social connotations contribute to the story's themes of societal order, insanity, and the blurring of lines between sanity and madness. It will explore the political undertones embedded within the names and how they might reflect Poe's views on societal structures and power.
The realization of references to real persons in The Mystery of Marie Rogêt: This chapter explores the use of names in Poe's "The Mystery of Marie Rogêt," focusing on how the names relate to real-life events that inspired the story. The analysis will center on the reasons for renaming characters or locations from the real-life case and what implications this has on the narrative and thematic considerations. This exploration will consider how this use of names links the fictional narrative to the real world and the author’s creative process.
Keywords
Edgar Allan Poe, short stories, American Renaissance, names, symbolism, character analysis, narrative, social status, political references, unreliable narrator, literary analysis, thematic interpretation.
Edgar Allan Poe's Short Stories: A Name-Based Analysis - FAQ
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the significance of names in selected Edgar Allan Poe short stories. It explores how Poe uses names – for characters, settings, and objects – to contribute to the meaning and interpretation of his narratives. The analysis investigates the symbolic weight Poe imbues within these names.
Which short stories are analyzed in this paper?
The paper focuses on several of Poe's short stories, including "The Fall of the House of Usher," "The Cask of Amontillado," "The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether," and "The Mystery of Marie Rogêt."
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper examines several key themes related to the use of names in Poe's stories. These include the intentional use of names and their contribution to overall meaning; the relationship between character names and their traits or social status; the use of names to convey political or historical references; the connection between real-life events and the names used in Poe's fiction; and the potential for multiple interpretations of names and their meanings within Poe's work.
How does the paper approach the analysis of names?
The analysis considers not only the literal meaning of names but also their symbolic and contextual significance within the stories. It explores how names contribute to character development, plot progression, thematic resonance, and the overall atmosphere of the narratives.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper begins with an introduction that establishes the context of Poe's work and the paper's objectives. It then explores Poe's general approach to writing, the role of names in literature, and subsequently delves into detailed analyses of the selected short stories, examining the significance of names in each.
What is the significance of the chapter on Poe's general writing approach?
This chapter contrasts Poe's writing style with that of Romantic writers, highlighting his scientific and deliberate approach, emphasizing planning and precision. It discusses the debated relationship between Poe and his narrators, and concludes that his name choices were purposeful, not random.
How does the paper address the context of Poe's work?
The introduction acknowledges the ambivalent reception of Poe's work, addressing criticisms of his writing as racist, sexist, elitist, and anti-democratic, setting the stage for a nuanced analysis of his literary techniques.
What specific aspects of naming are examined in each story analysis?
The analysis of each story focuses on different aspects of naming. For example, "The Fall of the House of Usher" examines the connection between names and character traits and destiny; "The Cask of Amontillado" explores names and social status and power dynamics; "The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether" analyzes political and social connotations within names; and "The Mystery of Marie Rogêt" investigates the relationship between fictional names and real-life events.
What are the key takeaways from the paper?
The paper demonstrates the importance of careful consideration of naming conventions in interpreting Poe's short stories. It reveals how Poe’s deliberate use of names enhances the thematic depth, symbolic richness, and overall impact of his narratives, highlighting his meticulous craftsmanship.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
The keywords associated with this paper are: Edgar Allan Poe, short stories, American Renaissance, names, symbolism, character analysis, narrative, social status, political references, unreliable narrator, literary analysis, thematic interpretation.
- Quote paper
- Bastian Immanuel Wefes (Author), 2012, The Significance of Names in Selected Short Stories by Edgar Allan Poe, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/201476
