The Tell Tale Heart, published in 1843, follows an unnamed narrator who insists in his sanity even after murdering an old man with his “Vulture eye”. His guilt culminates in his belief that he can still hear the man’s heart beating under the floor. The Raven, published in 1845, was inspired by Poe’s famous and tragic love for his wife, Virginia. The Raven, tells of a talking raven’s visit to a distraught lover. Lamenting the loss of his beloved Lenore, the poem follows his slow dissent into madness.
Edgar Allen Poe’s writings still speak to us more than 160 years after his mysterious death in 1849. Poe was the first American writer to attempt to support himself on writing alone and he is credited with writing the first modern detective story, the first modern science fiction story and founding the modern horror genre.
Lou Campbell earned a master’s degree in art and religion for the Yale Divinity School in 2004. For more than four years, he has been performing Poe in libraries and other settings throughout Connecticut and New England.
All Oliver Wolcott Library events are free and open to the public. Space is limited. Registration is required and can be done by calling 860-567-8030 or logging onto www.owlibrary.org and clicking on Programs/Adult Programs.
