What was Poe's philosophy of writing short stories?

Edgar Allen Poe's philosophy on short fiction was centered around the idea of creating a mood or atmosphere. He thought that every element in a short story, from the setting to the characters' actions, should contribute to this overall mood. In his view, a short story was not meant to be a long - winded exploration of multiple themes but rather a concise creation of a particular feeling. Take 'The Fall of the House of Usher', where the gloomy setting and the characters' deteriorating mental states work together to create a sense of doom and dread.

Edgar Allen Poe's philosophy of short fiction influenced his writing style in multiple ways. Since he thought a short story should be read in one sitting, he made sure to hook the reader from the start. His openings are often quite arresting, like in 'The Masque of the Red Death' with the description of the plague - ridden land. His philosophy also made him pay great attention to the pacing. He would build up the tension gradually until it reached a climax, and then resolve it quickly. This is seen in many of his horror - themed short stories, where the fear and suspense keep mounting until the final, often shocking, revelation.

His use of the unreliable narrator, like in 'The Tell - Tale Heart', has been widely imitated. It adds an element of mystery and makes readers question what they are reading.

Poe's belief in creating a single unified effect made his stories highly focused. In 'The Fall of the House of Usher', for instance, the dreary setting, the mentally unstable characters, and the spooky events all contribute to an overall sense of doom and gloom.

His stories are full of psychological depth. In 'The Oval Portrait', Poe delves into the relationship between art and the artist, and how the artist's obsession can have unexpected and somewhat disturbing consequences. He makes the reader think about the human psyche and its complex nature.

Poe's autobiographical short stories often have a sense of melancholy. His own life was filled with hardships and this is reflected in the mood of the stories. For instance, in many of them, the characters seem to be haunted by something, just as Poe might have been by his own life circumstances.

One of the most famous Poe's short stories is 'The Tell - Tale Heart'. It's a chilling tale of a man who murders an old man because of his 'evil eye' and then is haunted by the sound of the dead man's heart. Another is 'The Fall of the House of Usher', which has a very eerie atmosphere and deals with themes of decay and madness. 'The Cask of Amontillado' is also well - known, where a man takes revenge on his so - called friend by walling him up alive in a catacomb.

Poe's short stories are often dark and mysterious. For example, 'The Tell - Tale Heart' is about a narrator who is driven mad by the old man's vulture - like eye and eventually kills him. The summary shows Poe's ability to create a sense of unease and psychological turmoil in the reader.

According to Poe, good short stories often have a sense of mystery or the macabre. His own works, such as 'The Tell - Tale Heart', are filled with elements that make the reader feel unease and a sense of the unknown. This mystery draws the reader in and keeps them engaged throughout the short narrative.

Poe's writing theories are often reflected in elements like his emphasis on creating a mood and atmosphere. His short stories use vivid descriptions and symbolic language to achieve this.