Edgar Allan Poe had a particular way of working. He was adopted early in his life to be spared from poverty and pain (Roberts and Zweig 226). But in the Great Reading it is stated that he still took satisfaction in the suffering of women. Poe only wanted to be a writer and followed his passion in judging the work of others to support himself (Roberts and Zweig 226). Some say he is selfish and indulgent. Unfortunately, Poe's death is still a mystery but his works influence people's lives on a daily basis. The elegance of Poe's prose evokes an emotional reaction to which he was subjected during his childhood which later led to the creation of the most influential works of the 19th century. The events of his childhood are definitely responsible for some of his arguably beautiful actions. In an excerpt dedicated to Poe by Roberts and Zweig we learn that he claimed his middle initial from Francis Allan. The excerpt gives more insight into the issue by saying that the Allans' rescue of young Poe from the foster care system after his mother died before he turned three. His mother travels as an artist, taking Poe and his brothers with her from show to show. The anthology goes on to say that after being a cadet at West Point he distanced himself from the Allans. Poe hired an editor to support himself (Roberts and Zweig 226). In the article titled “Poe's Calling Card,” it says that “when the poem you are reading features death (especially deceased women), an elaborate rhyme, and sad lyrics.” language… you're dealing with Poe.” Stating that Poe likes to write stories of depressed men... pining for the women who abandoned them by dying. Emphasizing that this method is his calling card and tries to inflict feelings of depression on the reader. The... center of the card... respects the things that people don't usually find attractive. Critics might say he was indulgent and self-centered, but it was these characteristics that made his work wonderful. The elegance of Poe's prose evokes an emotional reaction to which he was subjected during his childhood which later led to the creation of the most influential works of the 19th century. Works Cited "Essence". Dictionary.com. 2014. Web. April 21, 2014. Jackson, Kevin. "The Big Bad Writer." Perspective Magazine. February 22, 2012. Web. April 20, 2014. "Poe's Theory of Poetry." The great read. Dispense one. ND. 16. Network. April 19, 2014. Roberts, Edgar V. and Robert Zweig, editors. Literature: An introduction to reading and writing. Compact 5th edition. New York: Pearson Longman, 2012. 226. Print.Shmoop Editorial Team. "The Calling Card of Edgar Allan Poe." Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., n.d. Network. April 20 2014.