Poe

Edgar Allan Poe is regarded as one of the most significant, influential and intriguing authors of all time. It's safe to say he's a good writer, but there are plenty of good writers that don't even compare to Poe; so what is it that makes his writing so strikingly unique. Aside from his exceptional writing talent, Poe worked using true inspiration, a factor that many authors simply dont have. Within three years of Poes birth in 1809 both of his parents died and he was adopted by foster parents who attempted to force him into the tobacco business, instead of pursuing his dream of being a writer. He was mistreated for most of his life growing up, and his foster parents died when he was still young and struggling to publish, leaving him nothing. Poes first love married another man, and his wife of 2 years died of tuberculosis, the disease that had already claimed his mother, foster mother and brother. Armed with such dark experiences Poe became a revolutionary gothic writer. I believe his success stems from the horrors throughout his life, and his incredible ability to express his emotions in the form of his written works, instilling fear and dread in the reader. In Poes "the raven" he creates a mysterious and frightening aura as he touches on death and the supernatural. Few authors are able to create such a legitimately eerie aura, which is what makes Poe so great, and a pioneer of gothic style writing.

What Is An American?

I am not in a position to discuss what defines someone as an American, as I don't consider myself to be one. Having moved here from Canada 4 years ago I still don't believe i'm in a position to call myself an American; so if someone were to ask me "what am I", in any connotation, I couldn't answer ,"An American" (as i have not yet gotten a citizenship or really think of myself as an American). Having said that i think the right to call yourself an American, like any third world country, stems from your allegiance to the country, and perhaps involved practice of its political/social habits and agenda. A citizenship doesn't account for a lack of involvement with the country you live in, and to truly be able to call yourself an American i think you must show some sort of contribution to the country, and the society you live in. An American, in their daily life, must make an acknowledgement to the rules and morals the country was built on. He/She shouldn't take for granted the abundant rights American forefathers fought to instill, and make sure others are not oppressed in any way. An American should appreciate the exceptional diversity and opportunity that is America, and use it to their advantage to further the growth of the country as a whole through study and profession. Someone who has been living here their whole life may not identify themselves as an American, yet someone who has moved here only a few years ago may consider themselves an active member of the country, and i believe they have a right to. It ultimately is a state of mind that is important in being an American.