From my early beginnings as a young introvert, the public library has always been a bit of a refuge. Years later, not much has changed, albeit with an additional affinity for endless hours spent scouring second-hand bookstores to add to my ever-growing “to-read” pile.
From one bookworm to another, this column will be underscoring and outlining various literary genres, authors, and recent reads and can serve as an introduction for those unfamiliar with these works, as a refresher for long-time aficionados, and maybe as an inspiration for readers to share their own suggested topics. Do you have a topic that you would like covered in this column? Feel free to contact me for an interview and a feature in an upcoming column.
Who
Just a few days past Halloween, we consider the works of spooky US author Edgar Allan Poe.
Poe was born on January 19, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts and died on October 7, 1849, in Baltimore, Maryland.
The author is best known for his short stories and poems.
Fans of Poe may also enjoy the works of Roald Dahl, Raymond Carver, Ray Bradbury, and Ernest Hemingway.
What
Some of Poe’s famous short stories include “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Murders in the Rue Morgue,” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” “The Masque of the Red Death,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” “The Gold Bug,” and “The Pit and the Pendulum.”
Examples of his notable poems include “The Raven,” “Annabelle Lee,” and “Lenore.”
Where
Most of Poe’s works take place in a variety of locations including old houses, squalid dungeons, and seaside manors.
When
These works are predominantly set in the 19th century.
Why
Poe’s works may be of interest to AU students who enjoy spooky literature, which evokes feelings of mystery, of foreboding, and of terror.
How
AU’s wide range of diverse courses make it easy to study this topic in depth. Courses related to the works of Edgar Allan Poe are available in a variety of disciplines, including those that may fit into your Degree Works. (Always check with an AU counsellor to see if these particular courses fulfill your personal graduation requirements!)
AU students interested in learning more about this topic may enroll in ENGL 212: Poetry and Plays, a junior-level, three-credit course, which “introduces forms of poetry, with a wide variety of examples from Shakespeare to Atwood, examining themes, structure, style, and imagery.” (Although no prerequisites are required, ENGL 211: Prose Forms is strongly recommended.)
Students may also be interested in ENGL 344: American Literature I, a senior-level, three-credit course, which “introduces students to American literature, its history and development, and its rich variety of forms and techniques.” (Students should note that this course requires ENGL 211: Prose Forms and ENGL 212: Poetry and Prose as prerequisites.) Be sure to also check out ENGL 345: American Literature II! Happy reading!