Abstract: Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most legendary writers in the United States. His unique theory of creation has had a great impact on literature. Death is the key note which has filled with the atmosphere of madness in Poe’s works. In Poe’s writing, death is a form of aesthetics. Panic and cruelty, even to the extent that the ugliness of death have become another beautiful model. This paper aims at analyzing his unique presentation of the aesthetics of death and help readers gain a more profound comprehension of his works. The first part will discuss the background of Poe’s creation of the aesthetics of death. Then, the second part will analyze the embodiment of the aesthetics of death in Poe’s poetry. The third part will summarize the artistic value of the aesthetics of death in his poetry writing.

Key words: the aesthetics of death; the presentation of the aesthetics of death

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

2. Literature Review

3. The Background of Poe’s Theory of Creation -2

3.1 Tragic Life Experience

3.1.1 Troubled and Short Life

3.1.2 The Deaths of Poe’s Mother and Wife

3.2 The Influence of Romantic Thanatopsis on Poe 

3.3 The Backgrounds of Poe’s Times

4. The Embodiment of the Aesthetics of Death -4

4.1 The Horrific Beauty of Death

4.2 The Romantic Beauty of Death

5. The Artistic Value of the Aesthetics of Death in Poe’s Poetry Writing-5

6. Conclusion-6

Bibliography-7

Acknowledgements-8