The Poe Museum Page

Edgar Allan Poe

Pick a partner from your team to help you investigate Poe's life. Research Poe using the resources below. Make sure to use the guide questions for each section. Keep accurate detail notes so you can share with the rest of your team.

1. To get an overview of Poe's life go the NCWiseOwl Page. Search the Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia Online for information on the life of Poe. Select school access if you are at school and home access if you are home (password required).

Take special note of major events in his life such as Poe's:

  • real parents, his memories of them and their effect on his life
  • real parents, his memories of them their influence on his writings.
  • childhood and the events of his early teens
  • relationship with the Allan family
  • college and army experiences
  • loves and losses
  • marriages
  • dependencies
  • view on death

    Biography.Com
    Alternative site for online biographical information.

  • 2. Another great resource on NCWiseOwl is the "Discovering Authors" link. Scroll down and click on either School or Home Access (depending on where ever you are). Go to the bottom of the Reference Page and click on the DISCovering Authors Modules. When the search box opens click on Authors and type in Poe, Edgar Allan. Use this information and the resouce links below to complete the following questions about the life of Poe. Some of the questions require you to use the information you have collected and a bit of your own experiences. Discuss the questions with your partner and then with the rest of your group when you get back together.

    1. In what ways was Poe's life remarkable?
    2. In what ways was Poe's life despicable?
    3. In what ways was Poe's life admirable?
    4. What human qualities were most influential in shaping the way Poe lived and influenced his time?
    5. Which of Poe's qualities or traits proved most troubling and difficult?
    6. Which of Poe's qualities or traits proved most beneficial?
    7. Did Poe make any major mistakes or bad decisions? If so, what were they and how did Poe handle or not handle them?
    8. What the two or three most important lessons you or any other person might learn from the way Poe lived?
    9. Some people say you can judge the quality of a person's life by the enemies they make. Do you think this is true of Poe's life? Explain why or why not?
    10. An older person or mentor is often very important in shaping the lives of gifted people by providing guidance and encouragement. To what extent was this true about Poe? Explain.
    11. Many people act out of a "code" or a set of beliefs that dictate choices. It may be religion or politics or a personal philosophy. To what extent did Poe act by a code or act independently of any set of beliefs? Were there times when the code was challenged and impossible to follow?
    12. What do you think it means to be a hero? Was Poe a "hero?" Why or why not?

    Additional Resources:

  • Poe's Home
  • The Gothic Net Poe Page
  • Edgar Allan Poe Historic Site

  • 3. Poe's death is somewhat of a mystery.

    Go to NCWiseOwl Page and search the online periodicals (magazines and newspapers) for articles on the lastest on how Poe might have died. Select school or home access from the Info Track K-12 Student Friendly Interface. Click on Gen'l Reference Ctr. Gold and at INFOTRAC click Proceed. Select Start Searching and follow the on screen instructions. Make use of the helps on the left side: Dictionary, Tool Box, and Help.

    4. When you and your partner are finished, get back with the rest of your team and compare your research. Use this information to help you analyze your literary work, prepare your report to the Theatre Consortium, and create your timeline.

    Back to Poe WebQuest Page