Edgar Allan Poe and Herman Melville

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Hello friends!

I am back for a while from my holiday trip, although I am not fully recovered from a cold I caught a week ago, which I am still fighting to get rid of (it seems my immune system has been damaged after that problem earlier this year!). I didn’t plan to make a post today, but when I came across an article about the relationship between Poe and Melville, which I didn’t know about, I thought I would share it with you. Indeed, I should mention that I once published an article on Allan Poe; here it is!

As a new New Yorker, I once travelled across three boroughs to Woodlawn Cemetery to visit Herman Melville’s grave. I didn’t worship him as a hero but as a friend. Through the words of Professor Angela O’Donnell, who says that reading great writers is like having a conversation with them and fosters intimacy, I promised to visit often. Still, I was distracted by city life and never went back. However, a friend of another 19th-century American author never missed a visit.
The Baltimore Sun reports that, for decades, an anonymous “Poe Toaster” left three roses and a bottle of cognac at Edgar Allan Poe’s grave every January 19th. His mystery remains unsolved, as does Poe’s own death.

On October 7, 1849, the literary community remembered Edgar Allan Poe, a master of the macabre whose death remains shrouded in mystery. Although his anniversary has passed, his short, tragic life and death remain deeply saddening. He was found delirious on Baltimore’s streets, and the exact cause of his death remains unclear, speculated to be linked to alcoholism, rabies, or other health issues.

In the days leading up to his death, Poe grappled with personal turmoil and bouts of depression, reflecting the dark themes prevalent in his writing. His life mirrored the tragedies he explored—loss, madness, and mortality.

As we remember Poe, we not only honour his legacy as a pioneering voice in Gothic literature but also reflect on the profound connections between art and the struggles of existence, inviting us to confront the deeper aspects of the human condition he so eloquently captured.

The relationship between Edgar Allan Poe and Herman Melville is a compelling exploration of two iconic figures in American literature, whose works have shaped literary history. Both authors are monumental, yet their life paths and artistic styles diverged significantly, revealing profound themes of existentialism and the complexities of the human experience.

Edgar Allan Poe, born in 1809 in Boston, faced a tumultuous early life marked by personal tragedies. Orphaned as a child, he experienced the pain of loss that profoundly influenced his writing. His struggles with poverty and alcoholism fueled the dark themes in his work. Masterfully crafted tales such as “The Raven,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” and “The Fall of the House of Usher” explore death, madness, and despair, establishing Poe as a master of horror and Gothic literature.

In contrast, Herman Melville, born in 1819 in New York City, enjoyed a more privileged upbringing that was disrupted by his father’s early death. This formative loss set him on a path of adventure at sea, which culminated in his magnum opus, “Moby-Dick.” Melville’s works engage with grand themes of nature and humanity, showcasing a narrative style that embodies the complexities of existence and human ambition.

Despite their differences, Melville and Poe respected each other’s literary talents. Poe’s sharp critiques of Melville’s early works, such as “Typee,” acknowledged Melville’s gift while highlighting differences in their narrative styles. Poe favoured compact storytelling, while Melville embraced sprawling narratives laden with existential questions.

Both writers engaged with themes of death and isolation, particularly evident in Melville’s Captain Ahab, who mirrors the psychological depths of Poe’s characters. Their respective narratives challenge audiences to confront profound aspects of the human condition. Timing also affected their careers; though Poe achieved fame earlier, Melville’s “Moby-Dick” was initially overlooked, though it would eventually be recognised as a key literary work.

Ultimately, the legacies of both authors flourished posthumously, with Poe celebrated for his innovative contributions to literature and Melville emerging as a foundational figure. This interplay between the two writers encourages contemporary readers to explore the connections that define their works.

In conclusion, the relationship between Poe and Melville offers a striking study of contrasting yet complementary voices in American literature. Their distinct views on existential despair and the human experience create a rich tapestry that continues to inspire and intrigue, leaving a lasting impact on generations of writers and readers alike.

Thanks, and have a good time, everybody.

42 thoughts on “Edgar Allan Poe and Herman Melville”

  3. I think you summoned one or both of these legends in your writing today, Master Aladin💜🐦‍⬛🧞 Despite your illness. Bravo on this Gothic masterpiece.

    The central image of Poe sitting in the cave is so your style. The colors befit Poe’s aura too. There is dreamy brightness in his perception, yearning to find good. However, that hope is almost always thwarted by life’s cold harsh blows😔 This translates in his beautifully dark poetry, of course.

    Poe wrote a lot about The Sea!🌊 Or (lake) When I read the poem, “Dream-Land” I actually think of you. Because it’s theme is about embracing the surreal melancholy. Another famous poem is “The City in The Sea.” I’m going to write another comment about that one lol.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Since I mentioned “The City in The Sea” in the other comment, I should recommend a superb recent series, “The Fall of The House of Usher” (2023). It’s gory as any true fan of Poe will enjoy. And relevant to the greed of pharmaceutical corruption today; justice is served in the show. One of my favorite scenes is Carla Gugino’s (Portraying Death incarnate) recitation of “The City in The Sea.” over a montage of the morally debased Usher family now in shambles. I’ll share the clip below.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. One☝️ more comment😅 You need to know there is a popular show (more popular than Fall of Usher) called Wednesday. Also on Netflix. It’s about Wednesday Adams (of The Adams Family) as she attends “Nevermore” academy for outcasts. Everything in the first season is Edgar Allen Poe themed. And the music is great too, original score composed by Danny Elfman. Tim Burton is teaching the children!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear friend, I want to return the favour for your insightful comments, master EF! Thank you for your suggestion; I truly appreciate it. In my previous post, which I tagged here, I shared a clip from “The Fall of the House of Usher” narrated with Orson Welles’ voice, though I wasn’t aware of “The City in the Sea.”

      I’m eager to watch that production—it’s very intriguing!

      👍👏🖖💖

      Like

  7. Dear Aladin, Inhooebyou are recovering and will be 100% soon. Thank you for this amazing post about Melville and Poe. Poe is a favorite poet of mine , aside from his many gothic poems I’ve discovered some very emotive poetry by him. Enjoyed this tremendously! 💕

    Liked by 3 people

  8. Dear Aladin,

    I hope you are recovered more than a bit more when you read this. Yes, I’m sure your previous condition has left you immune compromised. There are precautions you can take to mitigate your chances of catching viruses!

    I totally enjoyed this friendship information, of which I had no knowledge. Both are amazing writers, and yes, quite different.

    I do see a compatibility in dark inner complexities via the Captain Ahab character.

    A fabulous post, and timely, considering halloween is 6 days away. Poe is wildly popular here at this time.

    Be well, my friend!

    💙🌹😘🤗😷🤗

    Liked by 2 people

  12. Poe is a master! I saw this movie: The Pale Blue Eye is a 2022 American period mystery gothic thriller film written and directed by Scott Cooper, adapted from the 2006 novel by Louis Bayard. Set in 1830, the film stars Christian Bale as veteran detective Augustus Landor as he investigates a series of murders at the West Point Military Academy with the aid of Edgar Allan Poe (Harry Melling), a young military cadet. The ensemble cast also features Gillian Anderson, Lucy Boynton, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Toby Jones, Harry Lawtey, Simon McBurney, Timothy Spall, and Robert Duvall.

    It was so good!

    Liked by 1 person

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