Edgar Allan Poe Group

Question:

j1195059
j1195059
Student
College - Sophomore

What is the "singular effect" that Poe argues is the hallmark of a great story?

Rate question:

Posted by j1195059 on Tuesday October 21, 2008 at 12:16 PM and tagged with edgar allan poe.

Answers:

  1. mwestwood
    mwestwood Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    Poe's "singular effect" that the reader should take from his narratives and poems is the unsettling truth that lies in the dark, irrational depths of the human mind. For example, in "The Raven," the singular effect is the disturbing truth to the narrator that he will never again see his love; she is gone forever--"nevermore." Death is the absolute finish...period. In the short story "The Fall of the House of Usher" a truth is that Roderick could not exist without his sister; his family line was so thin that he and his sister were like complementary parts; dependent each upon the other for so long that they had become virtually one.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/authors/edgar-allan-poe

    Rate answer:

    Posted by mwestwood on Tuesday October 21, 2008 at 4:10 PM