Although Edgar Allan Poe is recognized as the originator of the mystery story

genre and as a master of the short story, literary critics and the general public have
debated the extent of both his genius and his madness since his death in 1849.
Poe rose from destitute beginnings as an orphan to a childhood of relative comfort
when a wealthy businessman took him in. As a young man, however, he
descended through poverty and mental illness to an early death at the age of forty.
In his short career, he produced dozens of poems, stories, and critical essays that
reflect his brilliant creative intellect.
At twenty, Poe moved to Baltimore to live with his impoverished aunt and her
daughter, where he eventually married his fourteen-year-old cousin, Virginia. Poe
was obviously devoted to his young wife, and idealized images of her appear in
many of his female characters. It is difficult to suppose, however, that they had a
close relationship, since she was many years younger than he was and chronically
ill with tuberculosis. Although Poe wrote for various newspapers and magazines
during this time, making great strides in literary criticism and developing his short-
story style, he achieved no monetary success.
His sensitive personality and a hereditary tendency to neurosis contributed to a
tragic mental decline; however, this only seems to have reinforced the brilliant
imagery and fascinating morbidity that he achieved in his tales. Many critics
speculate that Poe also suffered from alcoholism and opium addiction. The
fantastical quality of his work earned him a devoted posthumous following in
France, but he was generally disparaged by his American contemporaries.
1. According to the passage, some of the women in Poe`s works were
inspired by his…
a) daughter.
b) mother.
c) cousin.
d) aunt.

2. What does the author claim strengthened the imagery of Poe´s tales?
a) his mental deterioration.
b) his interest in literary criticism.
c) his alcoholism and opium addiction.
d) his posthumous following in France.

3. According to the author, critics disagree about…

a) Poe´s relationship with his wife.
b) The degree of Poe´s talent.
c) Whether Poe was better as a critic than as a Poe.
d) The meaning of the fantastic images in Poe´s works.
4. When Poe wrote for magazines, he …
a) became ill with tuberculosis.
b) became popular in France.
c) was financially successful.
d) improved his writing technique.

5. Just after Poe`s death, his reputation as a writer was better…

a) in France than in the U.S.

b) in the U. S. than in France.
c) than it is now.
d) amongst critics than the general public.