Edgar Emerson's Observation Of An American

Through the life and writings of Edgar Allen Poe, it can be seen that he achieved the status of American Scholar, or “Man Thinking” as described in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “American Scholar.” (Emerson, Web). Consider first, Emerson’s suggestion that the American Scholar must observe. Emerson compares the observation of the human mind to that of an astronomer observing the stars. (Emerson, Web). One of many possible examples of Poe as an observer comes in his reoccurring character, August Dupin, who makes his debut in “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.” Dupin is an amateur detective who solves crimes through astute observation: “I soon noticed a special reasoning power he [Dupin] had … He told me once that most men have windows over their hearts; through these he could see into their souls.” (Poe, Web).
Continuing with the astronomer analogy, Emerson also suggests that the astronomer will receive much praise for his observation and labeling of the heavens but that the observer of the mind will not receive such praise, saying he must “…relinquish display and immediate fame.” In consideration of the lack of “immediate fame” an American Scholar might receive, consider that in his lifetime, Poe never achieved wealth or status, and even immediately after his death, was scored by literary critic Rufus Griswold.

He placed great importance on the American Scholar’s willingness to think for himself and come up with his own ideas. A consideration of some of Poe’s firsts will prove his innovation as a writer and thinker. With works like “Murders in the Rue Morgue,” and “The Purloined Letter,” Poe is credited as the creator of the detective story. Poe is also credited with contributing to the advent of science fiction with works like “The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar.” Poe also wrote works of horror never seen before in stories such as “The Black Cat.” (Poe,