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The Purloined Letter

by Edgar Allan Poe

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The Purloined Letter Questions and Answers

Why is "The Purloined Letter" called "a tale of ratiocination"?

Is "The Purloined Letter" a successful detective story? Why or why not? 

What are the similarities between Dupin and Minister D in Poe's "The Purloined Letter"?

What is the main resolution in "The Purloined Letter" by Edgar Allan Poe?

What is the conflict in The Purloined Letter? What is the problem?

What are the prefect's strengths and weaknesses as a detective in "The Purloined Letter"?

What are some examples of figurative language in “The Purloined Letter” by Edgar Allan Poe?

How truthful is the narrator in "The Purloined Letter"? At what moments in the story might he seem less than truthful? From what motivations does he appear to be operating?

In "The Purloined Letter," why does Dupin replace the real letter with a facsimile?

Discuss what role imagination plays in "The Purloined Letter." At what point do characters appear to be using (or misusing) their imaginations?

What events inspired Poe to write the Purloined Letter?

What is the plot of "The Purloined Letter" in the form of a plot diagram?

What is the difference between the policemen's and Dupin's methods of investigation?

In "The Purloined Letter", explain how Poe characterizes Monsieur G of police.

What is the tone of Poe's "The Purloined Letter"?

Who is Dupin in "The Purloined Letter"?

Explain what elements of the story "The Purloined Letter" seem similar to Poe's usual murder-and-mayhem style? Can we call this horror or gothic, or is it pure detection? How could the two genres be related?

Who is Dupin?

Does "The Purloined Letter" really seem to be recommending the approach of a combined poet and mathematician?

Why does everyone in "The Purloined Letter" seem so uninterested in what the letter actually contains? Is there any good reason to assume that the scandal is sexual in nature?

Can you draw a plot map for The Purloined Letter?

In "The Purloined Letter" by Edgar Allan Poe, do the differences in his detection make for a more intriguing plot? The letter is different from most detective stories in that the criminal is known to his victim, Dupin and the Police.

How might Dupin be a double for Poe himself? 

What is the single effect in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Purloined Letter?"

What is the nature of the leverage that the minister has gained over the "illustrious personage" in "The Purloined Letter"?

What does the scarlet handkerchief have on it in “The Mystery of Marie Roget”?

What are 2 examples of direct observer narrator from The Purloined Letter, Bartleby the Scrivener, and Captain Shure of the Comis Poachers?

Give the description of the letter as described by Germont.

Why does Poe have the Prefect leave before Dupin begins his explanation to the narrator concerning the solving of the crime?  

Explain about the theories concerning the elusiveness of the obvious, which are advanced by Dupin, and explain about theories of the obvious.

In the short story "The Purloined Letter," what personal battle with a widely held belief is Poe possibly fighting in the story?

What are your emotions during this story? How does it make you feel?   What are your emotions during this story? How does it make you feel?  

Are "The Purloined Letter" and "Bartleby the Scrivener" written with a third person omniscient narrator?

What practical advice does the story seem to offer?