EDGAR ALLAN POE

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ALittleBitAboutUs-Originallyfoundedin1996asFirstFolioShakespeareFestival,in2008wechangedournametoFirstFolioTheatretobetterreflectthefullbreadthofworksthatwewereoffering,whichincludesclassicworksbywriterssuchasOscarWilde,NoëlCoward,EdgarAllanPoe,P.G.Wodehouse,andEugeneO’Neill.Asthepremiernon-profitprofessionaltheaterinthewesternsuburbs,FirstFolio’smissionistopresentintimateproductionsofclassicandcontemporaryworks.BymakingourhomeinresidenceatMayslakePeabodyEstate,wecreateauniquetheatricalexperiencethatenrichesthecommunity.Todate,FirstFoliohasproducedmorethan70mainstageproductions.Ourproductionshaveearned40JeffNominations,7JeffAwards,and2AfterDarkAwards,includinganominationforBestAdaptationforTheMadnessofEdgarAllanPoe.

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TableofContents-

BiographyAboutEdgarAllanPoeandDiscussionQuestions Pages4-6EdgarAllanPoeandHisWorksinModernCulture Page7-8WorksInThisPacket&LiteraryDevicesUsed Page9Text:“TheBells” Pages10-12Text“TheRaven” Pages13-15Text:“AnnabelleLee” Page16Text:“TheTell-TaleHeart” Pages17-20Text:“ThePitandthePendulum” Pages21-23TheProcessofAdaptation-StatementbyDavidRice Page24Sources Page24Activity:AutobiographicalWritingExercise Page25

SuggestedAnswerstoPacketQuestions Pages26-27

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BiographyofEdgarAllanPoe

ThelifeofAmerica’smostfamouspoetandshortstorywriterwasmarkedwithtragedyfromanearlyage.BorninBoston,Massachusetts,onJanuary19,1809,hewaschristenedEdgarPoe.Hisparents,DavidandElizabeth,werebothactors,butneitherexperiencedagreatdealofsuccess.BeforeEdgarwasoneyearold,hisalcoholicfatherabandonedthefamilyandwasneverheardfromagain.(Manybiographerslisthisdateofdeathas1810,butthatisjustanassumption.)Hismothercontinuedtoperformonthestagetosupportherselfandherson.

SurvivingnewspaperreviewsandlettersfromthetimeindicatethatElizabethwasmostwellknownforherextravagantdeathscenesinthemanyfamousmelodramasofthetime.Tragically,shecontractedconsumptionandpassedawaywhenEdgarwaslessthanthreeyearsold.

TheyoungchildwastakeninbyoneofElizabeth’sclosefriends,Mrs.FannyAllan,andherhusbandJohn,awealthymerchantinRichmond,Virginia.JohnAllanprovidedEdgarwithanexcellenteducationandmuchtravel,includingamovetoEnglandwhenEdgarwassix.ThefamilyreturnedtoRichmondwhenEdgarwaseleven.FannyAllandotedonyoungEdgar,andtheboyevenadded“Allan”ashismiddlename.However,EdgarwasneverclosetoJohnAllanandJohnneverformallyadoptedtheboy.

EdgarandJohn’srelationshipbecamefurtherstrainedwhenEdgarenrolledattheUniversityofVirginia.Whilethere,heaccumulatedgamblingdebtsandwhenhisfosterfatherrefusedtopaythem,Edgarwasforcedtoleaveschool.In1827,heenlistedinthearmyandservedfortwoyears,risingtotherankofSergeant-Major,thehighestrankanenlistedmancouldachieve.

Inearly1829,hisfostermotherFannyAllanpassedaway,dyingofconsumption,thesamehorriblediseasethathadclaimedhismother.FollowingFanny’sdeath,PoediscoveredthatwhileFannyhadbeenill,herhusbandJohnhadbeenhavingaffairswithotherwomen.Thiswasthefinalblowtotheirrelationshipandafterquarrelling,JohnAllandisinheritedEdgarcompletelyandorderedhimtoleaveRichmond.

In1830,PoeenrolledatWestPointMilitaryAcademy,buthisfailuretoattendclassesandtrainingsessionsresultedinhisbeingdischargedin1831.PoethenmovedtoBaltimorewherehemovedinwithhisAuntMariaClemm,herdaughterVirginia,andEdgar’solderbrotherHenry,whowasalreadyinfailinghealth.Withintheyear,Henrywasdead,anothervictimofconsumption.

Throughouthisearlylife,Edgarhadexhibitedaloveofwriting,evenmanagingtohavehisfirstvolumeofpoetrypublishedwhenhewasonly18yearsold.Followingthedeathofhisbrother,Poedeterminedtomakehislivingasanauthor.Thiswasanunusualdecisionatthattime.Duetopoorcopyrightlawsandotherfactors,noAmericanauthorhadevermadealivingsolelybywriting.

Hespentthenext18yearsstrugglingtosupporthimselfandhiswife.Inadditiontohispoetry,hewroteshorthorrorstories,thefirstdetectivestories,literarycriticism,humor,andevenearlysciencefiction.Heworkedasaneditorandcontinuallyattemptedtostarthisownliterarymagazine.However,despiteeventuallyachievingagreatdealoffameforhismacabrestoriesandemotionallychargedpoetry,Poewasconstantlyonthebrinkofbankruptcy.

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Throughitall,theoneconstantinhisadultlifewastheloveofhiswife,Virginia.In1835,PoemarriedhiscousinVirginiaClemm.Poewas26andVirginiawasjustafewweeksshyofher14thbirthday.Byallaccounts,theirmarriagewasahappyunion,despitetheirconstantpoverty.Onenightin1842,Virginiawasentertainingherhusbandbysinginghimasong.Shebegantocough,andwhensheremovedthehandkerchieffromhermouth,bothsheandPoecouldseelittledropletsofbloodonit…thefirstsignsofconsumption.Virginia’shealthsteadilydeclined,andin1847,shepassedawayintheirhomeintheFordhamsectionoftheBronxinNewYorkCity.

Poecontinuedtowrite,buthishealthalsodeclined,dueinparttoboutsofalcoholism.In1849,Poesentcopiesofhislatestpoem,“AnnabelLee,”toanumberoffriendsandeditors.Thiswassomethinghehadneverdonewithanyofhisworksbefore,distributingcopiesofthempriortotheirbeingpublished.ThepoemwouldnotbepublisheduntilafterPoe’sdeath,atwhichtimeitbecameasensation.

Shortlyafterdistributingthispoem,Poewentonabusinesstrip,onemoreattempttoraisemoneyforhisownliterarymagazine.However,whenhistrainarrivedinBaltimore,Poedisappeared.Twodayslater,hewasfoundonthestreetsofBaltimoredelirious,"ingreatdistress,and...inneedofimmediateassistance",accordingtothemanwhofoundhim.HediedonSunday,October7,1849,havingneverbeencoherentlongenoughtoexplainwhathadhappenedtohim.Hewaswearingclothesthatwerenothisown,andwitnessessaidherepeatedlycalledoutthename"Reynolds"onthenightbeforehisdeath,thoughitisuncleartowhomhewasreferring.Allmedicalrecords,includinghisdeathcertificate,havebeenlost,sotheactualcauseofdeathremainsamystery.Modernforensicexpertshaveofferedopinionsthathaveincludedalcoholpoisoning,heartdisease,epilepsy,cholera,andrabies,butthetruecausewillneverbeknown.Hisdeathremainsasmysteriousasoneofhisstories.THINKINGQUESTION

1) TheopeninglineofthisbiographydescribesPoe’slifeas“tragic.”FindthreeeventsinPoe’slifethatsupportthisview.ThenexplainhowthesetragiceventsmayhavecontributedtoPoe’sfascinationwithstoriesofdeathandhorror.

2) Lookupthedisease“consumption.”Whatdowecallittoday?Whatareitssymptoms?Howdopeopleactuallydiefromthisdisease?(EXTRA:Read“TheMasqueoftheRedDeath”andfindcluesthatthe“reddeath”plaguemaybePoe’sversionofconsumption.)

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POE’SMARRIAGETOVIRGINIACLEMM Asmentionedinthebiographyabove,EdgarAllanPoemarriedhiscousinVirginiawhenshewasjust13yearsold.Bytoday’sstandards,thesefactsmaketheirmarriageseemquiteunusualandperhapsevendistasteful.However,whenanalyzingthebehaviorsofpeoplefromanotherera,itisimportanttolookattheiractionswithinthecontextoftheirowntime.Tohelpachievethis,researchthefollowingquestions.

1) IntheplayRomeoandJuliet,howoldwasJulietwhenshewasmarried?(BONUS:HowoldwashermotherwhenJulietwasborn?)

2) WhatwastheaveragelifeexpectancyforAmericanwomenintheearly1800’s?Whywasitsomuchlessthanitistoday?

3) Howwerethefollowingfamousmarriedcouplesrelated?a. QueenVictoriaandPrinceAlbertb. CharlesDarwinandhiswifeEmmac. FranklinD.RooseveltandhiswifeEleanord. RudyGiuliani(formermayorofNYC)andhisfirstwifeRegina

Inlightofthisinformation,howdoyouthinkthesocietyofthetimeviewedPoe’smarriage?SIDENOTE:

Interestingly,thereweremembersofEdgarandVirginia’sfamilywhodidnotapproveoftheirmarriage.Theywantedhertomarryadifferentcousin---whowasactuallyolderthanEdgar!TheirobjectionswerenottoPoe’sageortotheirfamilialrelationship.TheyjustworriedthathewouldnotbeabletosupportVirginia,whiletheothercousinwasasuccessfulbusinessman.

EdgarandVirginia’sjiltedcousinneverforgavethem.AfterPoe’sdeath,heworkedwithoneofPoe’sliteraryrivalstodestroyPoe’sreputation,andtogethertheyburnedmanyofPoe’ssurvivingpapers,thusaddingtothemysterysurroundinghislifebydestroyingmuchoftheevidencethatlaterbiographerswouldseek.

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EdgarAllanPoeandHisWorksinModernCultureTherehavebeenhundredsofadaptationsofPoe’sworkintheatre,filmandtelevisionandmusic.TherewereaseriesofRogerCormanfilmsstarringVincentPriceinthe1960’s.Thesewereoftenlooseadaptations.TheyincludeHouseofUsher(1960),ThePitandthePendulum(1961),TalesofTerror(1962),TheRaven(1963),andTheMasqueoftheRedDeath(1964).TheSimpsonshasmadeseveralreferencestoPoe'sworks.Theoriginal"TreehouseofHorror"episodecontainsasegmentinwhichJamesEarlJonesreadsPoe'spoem"TheRaven",withHomerplayingthenarrator,MargemakingabriefcameoappearanceasLenore,andBartastheraven.Thepoemispresentedverbatim,thoughafewlinesarecut,andPoewasactuallycreditedasaco-writerofthesegment(alongsideSamSimon)."Lisa'sRival"featuresLisacompetingagainstagirlwhorecreatesascenefrom"TheTell-TaleHeart".Intheepisode"SaturdaysofThunder",aTVadvertshowsPoe'stombstonebeingcleanedbyDr.NickRiviera.Intheepisode"LisatheSimpson",theHouseofUsherisshownexplodinginthefictionalFoxshowWhenBuildingsCollapse.Intheepisode"Homer'sTripleBypass",HomerramsHansMolemandrivingatruckwithahouseontheback.Thesignonthehousereads"birthplaceofEdgarAllanPoe".Batman:Nevermore(2003)isanElseworlds’mini-seriesfromDCComicswrittenbyLenWein,withartbyGuyDavis.Inthestory,BatmanteamsupwithPoetosolveanumberofmurders.In2004,theDVDreleaseofHellboyincludeda10-minuteadaptationof“TheTell-TaleHeart.”Futurama:intheepisode“Bender’sGame”(2008),Bender’srelaxationtherapywhileintherobotasylumcloselyresemblestheplotof“ThePitandthePendulum.”PoewasoneoftheimagesusedonthecoverofSgt.Pepper’sLonelyHeartsClubBand,releasedbytheBeatlesin1967.Theyalsoreferencehimonthesong,“IAmtheWalrus.”In1976,TheAlanParsonsProjectreleasedaconceptalbuminspiredbytheworksofPoe.Thealbumreferenced“TheRaven,“TheCaskofAmontillado,”and“TheFalloftheHouseofUsher”amongotherworks.BluesTravelerreferencedthefirstlineof“TheRaven”intheirsong“Run-Around”from1994.BritneySpearsusedthepoem“DreamWithinaDream”aswellasotherworksbyPoeasinspirationforher2001-2002concerttourbythesamename.InSnoopy!!!TheMusical,thereisamusicalnumberinactonetitled“EdgarAllanPoe.”Inthenumber,someofthecharactersworrythattheirteacherisgoingtoquizthemonthe

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writer,whomtheyknowlittleabout.Theothercharactersshareinformationaboutthewriterinsongform.TheRaven(2012)starsJohnCusackasPoe,inastoryaboutthelastdaysofPoe'slifeinwhichhetriestotrackdownaserialkillerwhosemurdersparalleldeathsinPoe'sstories.Inseason2oftheanimeseriesBungoStrayDogs,aseriescomposedofcharactersbasedonfamousauthors,Poeappearsasamemberof"TheGuild".Inthisshow,Poe'spoweriscalled"BlackCatintheRueMorgue",whichcantransportreadersintothesettingofanynovelthattheyarecurrentlyreading.IntheSpongeBobSquarePantsepisode"SqueakyBoots,”SpongeBobreceivesapairofannoyingsqueakybootsbutMr.Krabsplotstogetridofthem.HestealsthebootsandhidesthemunderthefloorboardsintheKrustyKrab.TheepisodereferencesPoe'sshortstory"TheTell-TaleHeart.”

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WORKSINCLUDEDINTHISPERFORMANCEORTHISPACKETandSOMEPRIMARYLITERARYDEVICESUSED

“TheBells”(1848)

• Alliteration(“Whatataleofterror,now,theirturbulencytells”)• Onomatopoeia(“tinkle/rustle”)• Assonance(“molten,golden,notes”)• Useofdrivingrhythm(“Whataworldofmerrimenttheirmelodyforetells”)

“TheRaven”(1845)

• Useoftrochaicrhythm(Onceuponamidnightdreary)• Internalrhyme

(“Sothatnow,tostillthebeatingofmyheart,Istoodrepeating”)

“AnnabelLee”(publishedposthumouslyin1849)• Useofmixedrhythm,bothanapesticandiambic

(“Itwasmanyandmanyayearago,Inakingdombythesea”)

“TheTell-TaleHeart”(1843)

• Firstpersonnarration• Imagery

“Iresolvedtoopenalittle--avery,verylittlecreviceinthelantern--untilatlengthasingledimraylikethethreadofthespidershotoutfromthecreviceandfelluponthevultureeye.”

“ThePitandthePendulum”(1842)

• Firstpersonnarration• Adaptationtoadramaticform

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ASamplingofPoemsandShortStoriesbyEdgarAllanPoe:

TheBellsbyEdgarAllanPoe

IHearthesledgeswiththebells-Silverbells!Whataworldofmerrimenttheirmelodyforetells!Howtheytinkle,tinkle,tinkle,Intheicyairofnight!WhilethestarsthatoversprinkleAlltheheavensseemtotwinkleWithacrystallinedelight;Keepingtime,time,time,InasortofRunicrhyme,TothetintinnabulationthatsomusicallywellsFromthebells,bells,bells,bells,Bells,bells,bells-Fromthejinglingandthetinklingofthebells.IIHearthemellowweddingbells-Goldenbells!Whataworldofhappinesstheirharmonyforetells!ThroughthebalmyairofnightHowtheyringouttheirdelight!Fromthemolten-goldennotes,Andallintune,WhataliquiddittyfloatsTotheturtle-dovethatlistens,whileshegloatsOnthemoon!Oh,fromoutthesoundingcellsWhatagushofeuphonyvoluminouslywells!Howitswells!HowitdwellsOntheFuture!-howittellsOftherapturethatimpelsTotheswingingandtheringingOfthebells,bells,bells,Ofthebells,bells,bells,bells,Bells,bells,bells-Totherhymingandthechimingofthebells!

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IIIHeartheloudalarumbells-Brazenbells!Whatataleofterror,now,theirturbulencytells!InthestartledearofnightHowtheyscreamouttheiraffright!Toomuchhorrifiedtospeak,Theycanonlyshriek,shriek,Outoftune,Inaclamorousappealingtothemercyofthefire,Inamadexpostulationwiththedeafandfranticfire,Leapinghigher,higher,higher,Withadesperatedesire,AndaresoluteendeavorNow-nowtositornever,Bythesideofthepale-facedmoon.Oh,thebells,bells,bells!WhatataletheirterrortellsOfdespair!Howtheyclang,andclash,androar!WhatahorrortheyoutpourOnthebosomofthepalpitatingair!Yettheearitfullyknows,BythetwangingAndtheclanging,Howthedangerebbsandflows;Yettheeardistinctlytells,InthejanglingAndthewrangling,Howthedangersinksandswells,Bythesinkingortheswellingintheangerofthebells-Ofthebells,Ofthebells,bells,bells,bells,Bells,bells,bells-Intheclamorandtheclangorofthebells!IVHearthetollingofthebells-Ironbells!Whataworldofsolemnthoughttheirmonodycompels!Inthesilenceofthenight,

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HowweshiverwithaffrightAtthemelancholymenaceoftheirtone!ForeverysoundthatfloatsFromtherustwithintheirthroatsIsagroan.Andthepeople-ah,thepeople-Theythatdwellupinthesteeple,Allalone,Andwhotolling,tolling,tolling,Inthatmuffledmonotone,FeelagloryinsorollingOnthehumanheartastone-Theyareneithermannorwoman-Theyareneitherbrutenorhuman-TheyareGhouls:Andtheirkingitiswhotolls;Andherolls,rolls,rolls,RollsApaeanfromthebells!AndhismerrybosomswellsWiththepaeanofthebells!Andhedances,andheyells;Keepingtime,time,time,InasortofRunicrhyme,Tothepaeanofthebells,Ofthebells-Keepingtime,time,time,InasortofRunicrhyme,Tothethrobbingofthebells,Ofthebells,bells,bells-Tothesobbingofthebells;Keepingtime,time,time,Asheknells,knells,knells,InahappyRunicrhyme,Totherollingofthebells,Ofthebells,bells,bells-Tothetollingofthebells,Ofthebells,bells,bells,bells,Bells,bells,bells-Tothemoaningandthegroaningofthebells.

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TheRavenbyEdgarAllanPoeOnceuponamidnightdreary,whileIpondered,weakandweary,Overmanyaquaintandcuriousvolumeofforgottenlore--WhileInodded,nearlynapping,suddenlytherecameatapping,Asofsomeonegentlyrapping,rappingatmychamberdoor."'Tissomevisiter,"Imuttered,"tappingatmychamberdoor--Onlythisandnothingmore."Ah,distinctlyIrememberitwasinthebleakDecember,Andeachseparatedyingemberwroughtitsghostuponthefloor.EagerlyIwishedthemorrow;--vainlyIhadsoughttoborrowFrommybookssurceaseofsorrow--sorrowforthelostLenore--FortherareandradiantmaidenwhomtheangelsnameLenore--Namelesshereforevermore.AndthesilkensaduncertainrustlingofeachpurplecurtainThrilledme--filledmewithfantasticterrorsneverfeltbefore;Sothatnow,tostillthebeatingofmyheart,Istoodrepeating"'Tissomevisiterentreatingentranceatmychamberdoor--Somelatevisiterentreatingentranceatmychamberdoor;Thisitisandnothingmore."Presentlymysoulgrewstronger;hesitatingthennolonger,"Sir,"saidI,"orMadam,trulyyourforgivenessIimplore;ButthefactisIwasnapping,andsogentlyyoucamerapping,Andsofaintlyyoucametapping,tappingatmychamberdoor,ThatIscarcewassureIheardyou"--hereIopenedwidethedoor--Darknessthereandnothingmore.Deepintothatdarknesspeering,longIstoodtherewondering,fearing,Doubting,dreamingdreamsnomortalseverdaredtodreambefore;Butthesilencewasunbroken,andthestillnessgavenotoken,Andtheonlywordtherespokenwasthewhisperedword,"Lenore?"ThisIwhispered,andanechomurmuredbacktheword,"Lenore!"--Merelythisandnothingmore.Backintothechamberturning,allmysourwithinmeburning,SoonagainIheardatappingsomethinglouderthanbefore."Surely,"saidI,"surelythatissomethingatmywindowlattice;Letmesee,then,whatthereatisandthismysteryexplore--Letmyheartbestillamomentandthismysteryexplore;--'Tisthewindandnothingmore.

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OpenhereIflungtheshutter,when,withmanyaflirtandflutter,IntheresteppedastatelyRavenofthesaintlydaysofyore.Nottheleastobeisancemadehe;notaminutestoppedorstayedhe,But,withmienoflordorlady,perchedabovemychamberdoor--PercheduponabustofPallasjustabovemychamberdoor--Perched,andsat,andnothingmore.Thentheebonybirdbeguilingmysadfancyintosmiling,Bythegraveandsterndecorumofthecountenanceitwore,"Thoughthycrestbeshornandshaven,thou,"Isaid,"artsurenocraven,GhastlygrimandancientRavenwanderingfromtheNightlyshore--TellmewhatthylordlynameisontheNight'sPlutonianshore!"QuoththeRaven,"Nevermore."MuchImarvelledthisungainlyfowltoheardiscoursesoplainly,Thoughitsanswerlittlemeaning--littlerelevancybore;ForwecannothelpagreeingthatnolivinghumanbeingEveryetwasblessedwithseeingbirdabovehischamberdoor--Birdorbeastuponthesculpturedbustabovehischamberdoor,Withsuchnameas"Nevermore."ButtheRaven,sittinglonelyonthatplacidbust,spokeonlyThatoneword,asifitssoulinthatonewordhedidoutpourNothingfartherthenheuttered;notafeatherthenhefluttered--TillIscarcelymorethanmuttered:"Otherfriendshaveflownbefore--Onthemorrowhewillleaveme,asmyHopeshaveflownbefore."Thenthebirdsaid"Nevermore."Startledatthestillnessbrokenbyreplysoaptlyspoken,"Doubtless,"saidI,"whatituttersisitsonlystockandstore,CaughtfromsomeunhappymasterwhomunmercifulDisasterFollowedfastandfollowedfastertillhissongsoneburdenbore--TillthedirgesofhisHopethatmelancholyburdenboreOf'Never--nevermore.'"ButtheRavenstillbeguilingallmysadsoulintosmiling,StraightIwheeledacushionedseatinfrontofbirdandbustanddoor;Then,uponthevelvetsinking,IbetookmyselftolinkingFancyuntofancy,thinkingwhatthisominousbirdofyore--Whatthisgrim,ungainly,ghastly,gaunt,andominousbirdofyoreMeantincroaking"Nevermore."

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ThisIsatengagedinguessing,butnosyllableexpressingTothefowlwhosefieryeyesnowburnedintomybosom'score;ThisandmoreIsatdivining,withmyheadateaserecliningOnthecushion'svelvetliningthatthelamp-lightgloatedo'er,Butwhosevelvetvioletliningwiththelamp-lightgloatingo'erSheshallpress,ah,nevermore!Then,methought,theairgrewdenser,perfumedfromanunseencenserSwungbySeraphimwhosefoot-fallstinkledonthetuftedfloor."Wretch,"Icried,"thyGodhathlentthee--bytheseangelshehathsenttheeRespite--respiteandnepenthefromthymemoriesofLenore!Quaff,ohquaffthiskindnepentheandforgetthislostLenore!"QuoththeRaven,"Nevermore.""Prophet!"saidI,"thingofevil!--prophetstill,ifbirdordevil!--WhetherTemptersent,orwhethertempesttossedtheehereashore,Desolate,yetallundaunted,onthisdesertlandenchanted--OnthishomebyHorrorhaunted--tellmetruly,Iimplore--Isthere--istherebalminGilead?--tellme--tellme,Iimplore!"QuoththeRaven,"Nevermore.""Prophet!"saidI,"thingofevil!--prophetstill,ifbirdordevil!BythatHeaventhatbendsaboveus--bythatGodwebothadore--Tellthissoulwithsorrowladenif,withinthedistantAidenn,ItshallclaspasaintedmaidenwhomtheangelsnameLenore--ClasparareandradiantmaidenwhomtheangelsnameLenore."QuoththeRaven,"Nevermore.""Bethatoursignofparting,birdorfiend!"Ishrieked,upstarting--"GettheebackintothetempestandtheNight'sPlutonianshore!Leavenoblackplumeasatokenofthatliethysoulhasspoken!Leavemylonelinessunbroken!--quitthebustabovemydoor!Takethybeakfromoutmyheart,andtakethyformfromoffmydoor!"QuoththeRaven,"Nevermore."AndtheRaven,neverflitting,stillissitting,stillissittingOnthepallidbustofPallasjustabovemychamberdoor;Andhiseyeshavealltheseemingofademon'sthatisdreamingAndthelamp-lighto'erhimstreamingthrowshisshadowsonthefloor;AndmysoulfromoutthatshadowthatliesfloatingonthefloorShallbelifted--nevermore!

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AnnabelLeeItwasmanyandmanyayearago,Inakingdombythesea,ThatamaidentherelivedwhomyoumayknowBythenameofAnnabelLee;AndthismaidenshelivedwithnootherthoughtThantoloveandbelovedbyme.Iwasachildandshewasachild,Inthiskingdombythesea:Butwelovedwithalovethatwasmorethanlove—IandmyAnnabelLee;WithalovethatthewingedseraphsofheavenCovetedherandme.Andthiswasthereasonthat,longago,Inthiskingdombythesea,Awindblewoutofacloud,chillingMybeautifulAnnabelLee;SothatherhighbornkinsmencameAndboreherawayfromme,ToshutherupinasepulchreInthiskingdombythesea.Theangels,nothalfsohappyinheaven,Wentenvyingherandme—Yes!—thatwasthereason(asallmenknow,Inthiskingdombythesea)Thatthewindcameoutofthecloudbynight,ChillingandkillingmyAnnabelLee.ButourloveitwasstrongerbyfarthantheloveOfthosewhowereolderthanwe—Ofmanyfarwiserthanwe—Andneithertheangelsinheavenabove,Northedemonsdownunderthesea,CaneverdissevermysoulfromthesoulOfthebeautifulAnnabelLee:Forthemoonneverbeams,withoutbringingmedreamsOfthebeautifulAnnabelLee;Andthestarsneverrise,butIfeelthebrighteyesOfthebeautifulAnnabelLee;Andso,allthenight-tide,IliedownbythesideOfmydarling—mydarling—mylifeandmybride,Inhersepulchretherebythesea,Inhertombbythesoundingsea.

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AnEditedVersionof“TheTell-TaleHeart”whichcanbecomparedtotheactualperformanceversionaspresentedinthevideo.Whatelementshastheplaywrightaddedtothescripttomakeitworkbetterasaplay?TRUE!--nervous--very,verydreadfullynervousIhadbeenandam;butwhywillyousaythatIammad?Thediseasehadsharpenedmysenses—notdestroyed--notdulledthem.Aboveallwasthesenseofhearingacute.Iheardallthingsintheheavenandintheearth.Iheardmanythingsinhell.How,then,amImad?Hearken!andobservehowhealthily—howcalmlyIcantellyouthewholestory.Itisimpossibletosayhowfirsttheideaenteredmybrain;butonceconceived,ithauntedmedayandnight.Objecttherewasnone.Passiontherewasnone.Ilovedtheoldman.Hehadneverwrongedme.Hehadnevergivenmeinsult.ForhisgoldIhadnodesire.Ithinkitwashiseye!yes,itwasthis!Hehadtheeyeofavulture--apaleblueeye,withafilmoverit.Wheneveritfelluponme,mybloodrancold;andsobydegrees--verygradually--Imadeupmymindtotakethelifeoftheoldman,andthusridmyselfoftheeyeforever.Nowthisisthepoint.Youfancymemad.Madmenknownothing.Butyoushouldhaveseenme.YoushouldhaveseenhowwiselyIproceeded—withwhatcaution--withwhatforesight--withwhatdissimulationIwenttowork!IwasneverkindertotheoldmanthanduringthewholeweekbeforeIkilledhim.Andeverynight,aboutmidnight,Iturnedthelatchofhisdoorandopenedit--ohsogently!Andthen,whenIhadmadeanopeningsufficientformyhead,Iputinadarklantern,allclosed,closed,thatnolightshoneout,andthenIthrustinmyhead.Oh,youwouldhavelaughedtoseehowcunninglyIthrustitin!Imoveditslowly--very,veryslowly,sothatImightnotdisturbtheoldman'ssleep.IttookmeanhourtoplacemywholeheadwithintheopeningsofarthatIcouldseehimashelayuponhisbed.Ha!wouldamadmanhavebeensowiseasthis,Andthen,whenmyheadwaswellintheroom,Iundidthelanterncautiously-oh,socautiously--cautiously(forthehingescreaked)--Iundiditjustsomuchthatasinglethinrayfelluponthevultureeye.AndthisIdidforsevenlongnights--everynightjustatmidnight--butIfoundtheeyealwaysclosed;andsoitwasimpossibletodothework;foritwasnottheoldmanwhovexedme,buthisEvilEye.Andeverymorning,whenthedaybroke,Iwentboldlyintothechamber,andspokecourageouslytohim,callinghimbynameinaheartytone,andinquiringhowhehaspassedthenight.Soyouseehewouldhavebeenaveryprofoundoldman,indeed,tosuspectthateverynight,justattwelve,Ilookedinuponhimwhileheslept.UpontheeighthnightIwasmorethanusuallycautiousinopeningthedoor.Awatch'sminutehandmovesmorequicklythandidmine.NeverbeforethatnighthadIfelttheextentofmyownpowers--ofmysagacity.Icouldscarcelycontainmyfeelingsoftriumph.TothinkthatthereIwas,openingthedoor,littlebylittle,andhenoteventodreamofmysecretdeedsorthoughts.Ifairlychuckledattheidea;andperhapsheheardme;forhemovedonthebedsuddenly,asifstartled.NowyoumaythinkthatIdrewback--butno.Hisroomwasasblackaspitchwiththethickdarkness,(fortheshutterswereclosefastened,throughfearofrobbers,)andsoIknewthathecouldnotseetheopeningofthedoor,andI

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keptpushingitonsteadily,steadily.Ihadmyheadin,andwasabouttoopenthelantern,whenmythumbslippeduponthetinfastening,andtheoldmansprangupinbed,cryingout--"Who'sthere?"Ikeptquitestillandsaidnothing.ForawholehourIdidnotmoveamuscle,andinthemeantimeIdidnothearhimliedown.Hewasstillsittingupinthebedlistening;--justasIhavedone,nightafternight,hearkeningtothedeathwatchesinthewall.PresentlyIheardaslightgroan,andIknewitwasthegroanofmortalterror.Itwasnotagroanofpainorofgrief--oh,no!--itwasthelowstifledsoundthatarisesfromthebottomofthesoulwhenoverchargedwithawe.Iknewthesoundwell.Manyanight,justatmidnight,whenalltheworldslept,ithaswelledupfrommyownbosom,deepening,withitsdreadfulecho,theterrorsthatdistractedme.IsayIknewitwell.Iknewwhattheoldmanfelt,andpitiedhim,althoughIchuckledatheart.Iknewthathehadbeenlyingawakeeversincethefirstslightnoise,whenhehadturnedinthebed.Hisfearshadbeeneversincegrowinguponhim.Hehadbeentryingtofancythemcauseless,butcouldnot.Hehadbeensayingtohimself--"Itisnothingbutthewindinthechimney--itisonlyamousecrossingthefloor,"or"Itismerelyacricketwhichhasmadeasinglechirp."Yes,hehadbeentryingtocomforthimselfwiththesesuppositions:buthehadfoundallinvain.Allinvain;becauseDeath,inapproachinghimhadstalkedwithhisblackshadowbeforehim,andenvelopedthevictim.Anditwasthemournfulinfluenceoftheunperceivedshadowthatcausedhimtofeel--althoughheneithersawnorheard--tofeelthepresenceofmyheadwithintheroom.WhenIhadwaitedalongtime,verypatiently,withouthearinghimliedown,Iresolvedtoopenalittle--avery,verylittlecreviceinthelantern.SoIopenedit--youcannotimaginehowstealthily,stealthily--until,atlengthasimpledimray,likethethreadofthespider,shotfromoutthecreviceandfellfulluponthevultureeye.Itwasopen--wide,wideopen--andIgrewfuriousasIgazeduponit.Isawitwithperfectdistinctness--alladullblue,withahideousveiloveritthatchilledtheverymarrowinmybones;butIcouldseenothingelseoftheoldman'sfaceorperson:forIhaddirectedtherayasifbyinstinct,preciselyuponthedamnedspot.AndhaveInottoldyouthatwhatyoumistakeformadnessisbutover-acutenessofthesense?--now,Isay,therecametomyearsalow,dull,quicksound,suchasawatchmakeswhenenvelopedincotton.Iknewthatsoundwell,too.Itwasthebeatingoftheoldman'sheart.Itincreasedmyfury,asthebeatingofadrumstimulatesthesoldierintocourage.ButevenyetIrefrainedandkeptstill.Iscarcelybreathed.Iheldthelanternmotionless.ItriedhowsteadilyIcouldmaintaintherayupontheeve.Meantimethehellishtattoooftheheartincreased.Itgrewquickerandquicker,andlouderandloudereveryinstant.Theoldman'sterrormusthavebeenextreme!Itgrewlouder,Isay,loudereverymoment!--doyoumarkmewellIhavetoldyouthatIamnervous:soIam.Andnowatthedeadhourofthenight,amidthedreadfulsilenceofthatoldhouse,sostrangeanoiseasthisexcitedmetouncontrollableterror.Yet,forsomeminuteslongerIrefrainedandstoodstill.Butthe

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beatinggrewlouder,louder!Ithoughttheheartmustburst.Andnowanewanxietyseizedme--thesoundwouldbeheardbyaneighbour!Theoldman'shourhadcome!Withaloudyell,Ithrewopenthelanternandleapedintotheroom.Heshriekedonce--onceonly.InaninstantIdraggedhimtothefloor,andpulledtheheavybedoverhim.Ithensmiledgaily,tofindthedeedsofardone.But,formanyminutes,theheartbeatonwithamuffledsound.This,however,didnotvexme;itwouldnotbeheardthroughthewall.Atlengthitceased.Theoldmanwasdead.Iremovedthebedandexaminedthecorpse.Yes,hewasstone,stonedead.Iplacedmyhandupontheheartandheldittheremanyminutes.Therewasnopulsation.Hewasstonedead.Hiseyewouldtroublemenomore.Ifstillyouthinkmemad,youwillthinksonolongerwhenIdescribethewiseprecautionsItookfortheconcealmentofthebody.Thenightwaned,andIworkedhastily,butinsilence.FirstofallIdismemberedthecorpse.Icutofftheheadandthearmsandthelegs.Ithentookupthreeplanksfromtheflooringofthechamber,anddepositedallbetweenthescantlings.Ithenreplacedtheboardssocleverly,socunningly,thatnohumaneye--notevenhis--couldhavedetectedanythingwrong.Therewasnothingtowashout--nostainofanykind--noblood-spotwhatever.Ihadbeentoowaryforthat.Atubhadcaughtall--ha!ha!WhenIhadmadeanendoftheselabors,itwasfouro'clock--stilldarkasmidnight.Asthebellsoundedthehour,therecameaknockingatthestreetdoor.Iwentdowntoopenitwithalightheart,--forwhathadInowtofear?Thereenteredthreemen,whointroducedthemselves,withperfectsuavity,asofficersofthepolice.Ashriekhadbeenheardbyaneighbourduringthenight;suspicionoffoulplayhadbeenaroused;informationhadbeenlodgedatthepoliceoffice,andthey(theofficers)hadbeendeputedtosearchthepremises.Ismiled,--forwhathadItofear?Ibadethegentlemenwelcome.Theshriek,Isaid,wasmyowninadream.Theoldman,Imentioned,wasabsentinthecountry.Itookmyvisitorsalloverthehouse.Ibadethemsearch--searchwell.Iledthem,atlength,tohischamber.Ishowedthemhistreasures,secure,undisturbed.Intheenthusiasmofmyconfidence,Ibroughtchairsintotheroom,anddesiredthemheretorestfromtheirfatigues,whileImyself,inthewildaudacityofmyperfecttriumph,placedmyownseatupontheveryspotbeneathwhichreposedthecorpseofthevictim.Theofficersweresatisfied.Mymannerhadconvincedthem.Iwassingularlyatease.Theysat,andwhileIansweredcheerily,theychattedoffamiliarthings.But,erelong,Ifeltmyselfgettingpaleandwishedthemgone.Myheadached,andIfanciedaringinginmyears:butstilltheysatandstillchatted.Theringingbecamemoredistinct:--Itcontinuedandbecamemoredistinct:Italkedmorefreelytogetridofthefeeling:butitcontinuedandgaineddefiniteness--until,atlength,Ifoundthatthenoisewasnotwithinmyears.NodoubtInowgrew_very_pale;--butItalkedmorefluently,andwithaheightenedvoice.Yetthesoundincreased--andwhatcouldIdo?Itwasalow,dull,quicksound--muchsuchasoundasawatchmakeswhenenvelopedincotton.Igaspedforbreath--andyettheofficershearditnot.Italkedmorequickly--morevehemently;butthenoisesteadilyincreased.I

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aroseandarguedabouttrifles,inahighkeyandwithviolentgesticulations;butthenoisesteadilyincreased.Whywouldtheynotbegone?Ipacedthefloortoandfrowithheavystrides,asifexcitedtofurybytheobservationsofthemen--butthenoisesteadilyincreased.OhGod!whatcouldIdo?Ifoamed--Iraved--Iswore!IswungthechairuponwhichIhadbeensitting,andgrateditupontheboards,butthenoisearoseoverallandcontinuallyincreased.Itgrewlouder--louder--louder!Andstillthemenchattedpleasantly,andsmiled.Wasitpossibletheyheardnot?AlmightyGod!--no,no!Theyheard!--theysuspected!--theyknew!--theyweremakingamockeryofmyhorror!-thisIthought,andthisIthink.Butanythingwasbetterthanthisagony!Anythingwasmoretolerablethanthisderision!Icouldbearthosehypocriticalsmilesnolonger!IfeltthatImustscreamordie!andnow--again!--hark!louder!louder!louder!louder!"Villains!"Ishrieked,"dissemblenomore!Iadmitthedeed!--tearuptheplanks!here,here!--Itisthebeatingofhishideousheart!"

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The Performance Script for “The Pit and the Pendulum” as adapted by David Rice

Guard: Prisoner LaRoche, by order of the Grand Inquisitor Tomás de Torquemada, you have been sentenced to death for the crime of heresy. May God have mercy on your soul.

The prisoner swoons as the guard laughs. As the guard shuts the door, the lights black out completely. The audience hears the sound of a metal door clanging shut followed by the dripping of water in the cell. The prisoner stands. His eyes remain closed as he reaches out to feel the floor. The following is a soliloquy, despite being in the past tense. At no time does he acknowledge the existence of the audience.

Prisoner: Cold. Damp. Oh god, what have I done? Oh god, what have they done? Oh god, why have you abandoned me? (He sits up, eyes still closed.) I longed to open my eyes, yet dare not employ my vision, not because I fear to look upon things horrible, but in fear that there should be nothing to see. (With an effort he forces his eyes open and confronts the cell, which to him is in total darkness. He reaction is filled with desperation, gasping for breath as he thrusts his hands in every direction, but always failing to touch anything.)

Darkness! Nothingness. I dread to move a step, lest I should find naught but the walls of a tomb. And yet to what worse fate could I be condemned than my own fear? I resolved to cross the area of the enclosure. (He begins to walk forward, trips, and falls, ending with his face over the edge of the platform.)

That fall saved my life. A peculiar smell of decayed fungus arose to my nostrils. I put forward my arm and shuddered to find that I had fallen at the very brink of a pit.

Groping about the masonry just below the margin, I succeeded in dislodging a small fragment, and let it fall into the abyss. For nearly a minute I hearkened to its reverberations as it dashed against the sides of the chasm in its descent: at length… (We hear the sound of something bouncing off a wall and hitting water, but the sound is very distant.) I swooned. (He takes his place against the wall. When he is in place, a red pin-spot hits his face and the dripping of the water stops.)

Upon awaking, I found the room dimly lit. But when I tried to move, I realized that I now lay upon my back. A long strap restrained me, leaving at liberty only my head, and my left arm. Groping with this free arm, in the faint light, I discovered an earthen dish filled with pungent meat by my side on the floor. Looking upwards I surveyed the ceiling of my prison. In one of its panels a very singular figure riveted my whole attention. It was the painted figure of Time as he is commonly represented, save that, in lieu of a scythe, he held a huge pendulum. (The sound of the pendulum begins. At first it is slow and distant, but the volume and pace increase during the following, until the audience can “feel” it above their own heads. The sound comes from speakers above and on either side of the audience, and shifts from L to R and back again, simulating the sound of the pendulum passing over the audience’s heads.)

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Its sweep was brief and slow. I watched it for some minutes, somewhat in fear, but more in wonder. (The sound of rats is heard in the distance, increasing in volume and number of rats as he describes them. We should hear their squealing and the scrabbling of their feet and their snuffling sounds as they investigate the food and the prisoner.)

A slight noise attracted my notice, and, looking to the floor, I saw several enormous rats traversing it. They had issued from the pit, which now was within view. While I gazed, they came up in troops, hurriedly, with ravenous eyes, allured by the scent of the meat.

When I again cast my eyes upward, what I saw confounded and amazed me. The sweep of the pendulum had increased in extent by nearly a yard. But what mainly disturbed me was the idea that it had perceptibly descended. I now saw that its nether extremity was formed of a crescent of glittering steel as keen as that of a razor, and the whole hissed as it swung through the air. (The sound of the rats has faded, and the sound of the pendulum is much closer now.)

I counted the rushing vibrations of the steel! Inch by inch -- line by line – down it came until finally it swept so closely over me as to fan me with its acrid breath. I prayed -- I wearied heaven with prayer for its more speedy descent. Down -- certainly, relentlessly down! It vibrated within three inches of my bosom! Down -- still unceasingly -- still inevitably down! I gasped and struggled at each vibration. I shrunk convulsively at its every sweep. Death would have been a relief, oh, how unspeakable! Then, to my astonishment, there flashed upon my mind what I cannot better describe than as an unformed half of an idea of deliverance.

I remembered the rats. They were wild, bold — ravenous. I reached down and covered my hands with what remained of the pungent dish, and then I thoroughly rubbed my bonds wherever I could reach; then, I lay breathlessly still. Observing that I now remained without motion, (the sound of a couple rats is heard, but a general rush of rats soon begins; the sound of the rats should increase in intensity and passion as he describes them) one or two of the boldest leapt upon the framework, and smelt at my bindings. This seemed the signal for a general rush.

Forth from the pit they hurried in fresh troops and leapt in hundreds upon my person. The measured movement of the pendulum disturbed them not at all. Avoiding its strokes, they busied themselves with the anointed bandage. They pressed -- they swarmed upon me in ever accumulating heaps. They writhed upon my throat; their cold lips sought my own; I was half stifled by their thronging. Yet one minute, and I felt that the struggle would be over. (By now the sound of the pendulum has increased so that the audience can all but feel it brushing their scalps. The tempo of the pendulum has also picked up considerably.)

Suddenly, the strap fell away from my body. But the stroke of the pendulum already pressed upon my bosom. It had divided the serge of the robe. It had cut through the linen beneath. But the moment of escape had arrived. At a wave of my hand my

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deliverers hurried tumultuously away. (Rat sounds disappear into the distance.) With a steady movement -- cautious, sidelong, shrinking, and slow -- I slid from the embrace of the bandage and beyond the sweep of the scimitar. For the moment, at least, I was free.

Free! – and still in the grasp of the Inquisition! I had scarcely stepped from my bed of horror upon the stone floor of the prison, when the motion of the hellish machine ceased. (The pendulum sound ceases and is replaced by the mechanical sound of a winch raising the pendulum back up.)

As I beheld it drawn up into the ceiling by some invisible force, (lights go to black) I was plunged into darkness once more and a new sound encircled me. Struggling to imagine what hellish torment would be visited on me next, I felt myself slowly but relentlessly pressed forward. The walls behind me were moving, pushing me inexorably towards the yawning chasm of the pit. (As the sound of a moving stone/iron wall is heard, the walls begin to glow red and move, pushing the prisoner towards the brink of the pit.)

I pushed against the walls with all my might in a futile effort to halt the wall’s advance. Death, any death but that of the pit! The closing walls pressed me resistlessly onwards. I felt that I tottered upon the brink ––

Trumpetsareheardinthebackground,amidstasoundoffighting.ThedoorburstsopenandinthefaintlightweseetheprisonerbeingpulledtosafetyasasoldierinFrenchuniformcallsout:Soldier: Allez!Allez!GeneralLaSallehasenteredToledo.Youarefree!

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TheProcessofAdaptation-StatementbyDavidRice

Thejoboftheauthorofashortstoryornovelistotellyouwhatdidhappeninthepast.However,thejobofaplaywrightistoshowyouwhatishappeninginthepresentmomentforthosecharacters.Thus,whiletheshortstorywritermayfocusondescription,analysis,andinnerthoughts,theplaywrightmustfocusonactionanddialogue.

Thekeytoadaptingshortstoriestothestage,then,istofindthebalancebetweenusingtheauthor’sownwordsandtransferringthosewordsintoactiononthestage.ThisisparticularlytrickywhenadaptingtheworksofanauthorsuchasPoeforanumberofreasons.Firstofall,hisworksaresowellknownthattheadaptorcannotmakeanysubstantialchanges.Second,Poe’swritingstyleissobeautifulandsodistinct,thatanychangestheplaywrightmakesmustbemadesoastofitasseamlesslyaspossiblewithPoe’sownwords.Third,manyofPoe’smostfamousstoriesarewrittenasFirstPersonstories.Thus,theentirestoryisasortofinternalmonologue.Myjobwastofindwaystotransferthosethoughtsintoactiononthestage.Sources"EdgarAllanPoe."2010.Biography.com.27Aug2010,10:03http://www.biography.com/articles/Edgar-Allan-Poe-9443160.“EdgarAllanPoe.”2010.Poets.org.27Aug2010.9.54http://www.poets.org/printpoet.php/prmpid/130#.“EdgarAllanPoeandmusic.”2010.Wikipedia.com.07September2010.9.30http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Allan_Poe_and_music.“EdgarAllanPoeintelevisionandfilm.”2010.Wikipedia.com.07September2010.9.30http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Allan_Poe_in_television_and_film.EdgarAllanPoeSocietyofMaryland.2010.27Aug2010,9:24http://www.eapoe.org/index.htm.Silverman,Kenneth.EdgarA.Poe:MournfulandNever-endingRemembrance.NY:HarperPerennial,1992.

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Activity:AutobiographicalWritingExercise-“Writewhatyouknow”EdgarAllanPoe’sstoriesandpoemsincorporatealotofdetailsfromhislife,butarenotstrictlyautobiographical.AsaclasstalkaboutwhatyouknowaboutPoeandthingsfromtheplaythatwereinfluencedbyhislifeandexperiences.Thinkaboutsomethingthathashappenedtoyouthatchangedyourlifeorwasreallyimportant.Takeafewminutestowriteaboutwhathappenedtoyouandhowitmadeyoufeel.Useyourpersonalexperienceasastartingpointforafictionalstory.Thisdoesnotmeanthatthestoryisaboutyou,butthattheplot,charactersandideasareinfluencedbyyourexperiences.Thereisanoldsayingthatyoushould“writewhatyouknow;”thisisgreatadvice,butcanbelimiting.Useapersonalstoryasajumpingoffpoint.Youcanwriteanything,aslongasyoustartwithwhatyouunderstand.NOTE:Pleasekeepinmindthatyouwillbesharingyourstorieswiththeclasswhendecidingwhatpersonalstorytouseasinspiration.Makesureitissomethingthatyouarecomfortablesharingwithothers.Readyourshortstoriestotheclass.

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SUGGESTEDANSWERSTOPACKETQUESTIONSPoe’sBiographyTHINKINGQUESTION

1) TheopeninglineofthisbiographydescribesPoe’slifeas“tragic.”FindthreeeventsinPoe’slifethatsupportthisview.ThenexplainhowthesetragiceventsmayhavecontributedtoPoe’sfascinationwithstoriesofdeathandhorror.• Hisfather’sdesertionofthefamily• Hismother’sdeath• Hisfosterfather’srejection• Hisfostermother’sdeath• Hisbrother’sdeath• Hispoverty• Hiswife’sdeath

• Thepreponderanceofdeath,especiallymultipledeathsfromthesamedisease,

couldeasilyleadtoafixationnotonlywithdeath,butalsowithdeathaccompaniedbyblood

• Thelossofhistwomotherfiguresandhiswifecouldeasilyleadtoafixationwith

thedeathandrebirthoffemalefigures.

2) Lookupthedisease“consumption.”Whatdowecallittoday?Whatareitssymptoms?Howdopeopleactuallydiefromthisdisease?(EXTRA:Read“TheMasqueoftheRedDeath”andfindcluesthatthe“reddeath”plaguemaybePoe’sversionofconsumption.)• ConsumptionisnowknownastuberculosisorTB• Symptomsincludecoughingupblood,fever,sweating,painsinthechest• Deathiscausedbyrespiratoryfailure,butmayinvolvedrowning/suffocatingin

one’sownblood

• In“TheMasqueoftheRedDeath”somecluesareasfollowso Thediseaseisdescribedasa“pestilence”(orplague)o “BloodwasitsAvataranditsseal—therednessandthehorrorofblood.”o “Hisvesturewasdabbledinblood—andhisbroadbrow,withallthe

featuresoftheface,wasbesprinkledwiththescarlethorror”muchlikethedropletsofbloodcoughedupbyaTBsufferer

o “AndDarknessandDecayandtheRedDeathheldillimitabledominionoverall”whichcouldbeanallusiontoallofthelossPoesufferedinhislifefromTB/consumption

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POE’SMARRIAGETOVIRGINIACLEMM

1) IntheplayRomeoandJuliet,howoldwasJulietwhenshewasmarried?(BONUS:HowoldwashermotherwhenJulietwasborn?)• ThenurseandJuliet’smotherpointoutthatitisa“fortnightandodddays”to

LamasNight,atwhichtimeJuliet“shallbefourteen.”Thus,sheisjustovertwoweeksshyofher14thbirthday

• LadyCapulettellsJuliet,“IwasyourMother,muchupontheseyears,thatyouarenowaMaid.”Thus,shewasonly14herselfwhenJulietwasborn,makingher28atthetimeoftheplay.ItisworthnotingthatLordCapuletlatersaysthatishasbeenmorethan30yearssinceheworeamaskanddancedataball,indicatingthatheisinhisfiftiesatthetimeoftheplay.

2) WhatwastheaveragelifeexpectancyforAmericanwomenintheearly1800’s?Whywasitsomuchlessthanitistoday?• Theaveragelifeexpectancyforwomeninthefirsthalfofthe19thCwas30.• Lackofproperhygiene,lackofmedicine,lackofknowledgeofwhatcausesdisease

wereallcontributingfactors.Italsoshouldbenotedthatthe#1causeofdeathforwomenovertheageof13wascomplicationsfromchildbirth.

3) Howwerethefollowingfamousmarriedcouplesrelated?

a. QueenVictoriaandPrinceAlbert(Firstcousins)b. CharlesDarwinandhiswifeEmma(Firstcousins)c. FranklinD.RooseveltandhiswifeEleanor(Secondcousins)d. RudyGiuliani(formermayorofNYC)andhisfirstwifeRegina(Second

cousins)Inlightofthisinformation,howdoyouthinkthesocietyofhisowntimeviewedPoe’smarriage?

• Mostofthepeopleofhistimewouldhavefoundthemarriagetotallyacceptable.Itisalsoimportanttonotethattheagedifferencebetweenthemwasnotatallunusual.Womenoftenmarriedmenwhowere10ormoreyearsolderthanthey,becauseoldermenhadestablishedthemselvesinbusiness.Thewifemightalsobethe2ndoreven3rdwifeofasuccessfulman,whosepreviouswivesmayhavediedinchildbirth.

Activity:AutobiographicalWritingExercise-“Writewhatyouknow”Givethestudentsabout5-10minutestowritedowntheirinitialideas,thenintroducethatthisisastartingpointforafictionalstory.Thengivethem10-15minutestowritebeforesharingoutloud.Thetimeallottedforeachactivitycanbeadjustedbasedonthetimeyouhaveandhowthestudentsarerespondingtotheprompts.Note:thiscouldalsobeanassignmenttheytakehome.Somestudentsmaynotfeelcomfortablesharingwiththeclassbecausetheyarewritingthingsofapersonalnature.Ifthisisthecase,don’tinsisttheysharewitheveryone.