Examines Poe's major writings in a variety of literary, cultural and political contexts. The Cambridge Companion to Edgar Allen Poe consists of 14 essays by leading international scholars. It examines all of Poe's major writings, and places his work in a variety of literary, cultural and political contexts. It features a detailed chronology and a comprehensive guide to further reading. List of illustrations xi List of contributors xii Chronology of Poe's life xv List of short titles and abbreviations xx Introduction 1(6) Kevin J. Hayes The poet as critic 7(14) Kent Ljungquist Poe and his circle 21(21) Sandra M. Tomc Poe's aesthetic theory 42(15) Rachel Polonsky Poe's humor 57(15) Daniel Royot Poe and the Gothic tradition 72(20) Benjamin Franklin Fisher Poe, sensationalism, and slavery 92(21) Teresa A. Goddu Extra! Extra! Poe invents science fiction! 113(20) John Tresch Poe's Dupin and the power of detection 133(15) Peter Thoms Poe's feminine ideal 148(15) Karen Weekes A confused beginning: The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym, of Nantucket 163(15) Geoffrey Sanborn Poe's ``constructiveness'' and ``The Fall of the House of Usher'' 178(13) Scott Peeples Two verse masterworks: ``The Raven'' and ``Ulalume'' 191(14) Richard Kopley Kevin J. Hayes Poe and popular culture 205(20) Mark Neimeyer One-man modernist 225(16) Kevin J. Hayes Select bibliography 241(6) Index 247