Poe and His Writings

Throughout Poe's life, death occurred many times. Whether it was his mother, foster father, or wife, death occurred. When it came to writing, Poe was amazing at incorporating the deaths he went through and being able to make an amazing story. Three great examples of his works that talk about death are: "The Black Cat", "Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Masque of the Red Death". In "The Black Cat" starts out his story talking about how he was a happy child and he loved animals but over years he changed and turned to alcoholism. Poe writes about that to show what happened in his life. In reality Poe was an alcoholic (who came blame him) and probably changed the way he viewed life. In "Tell-Tale Heart" Poe explains how he never had a problem with the old man but he still killed him (because of the vulture's eye). Well when Poe was growing up his foster father and him butted heads a lot, they were both bull headed. So I believe Poe probably used the "Tell-Tale Heart" as a fantasy of killing his foster father. Knowing how crazy and mad Poe was, he probably wanted to just get back at his foster father. "The Masque of the Red Death" is the best example of Poe's life. In the story there are seven rooms, which are believed to be the seven stages of life. No one ever went into the seventh room due to the darkness and the scarlet blood colored window panes. Poe used this story to show the hatred towards the wealthy. In reality his mother and wife died to Tuberculosis because it was incurable at the time, but no matter what the wealthy people are usually better off. So he wrote this to show that no matter who you are, you can't hide from death. Also this story shows the relationship between "Red Death" and "Tuberculosis". They were both awful diseases that could not be stopped and Poe had first hand knowledge of them both. So when it comes to writing what you know, Poe was excellent at it. Anyone who has/had been through what he had can feel the pain he writes with. Poe will always be known as the author who had a horrible life, and it shows in his works.