From Physic to Psychic. The Treatment of Sensationalism in Short Stories of Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Sensationalism in Britain and Antebellum America

2.1. A Brief History of Sensationalism

2.2. Definition and Key Features

2.2.1. Journalism

2.2.2. Fiction

2.3. Criticism and Defence

3. Elitist Sensationalism a la Blackwood’s

3.1. Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine

3.2. The Blackwood’s Sensation Tale

4. Edgar Allan Poe’s Sensationalism

4.1. Poe and Parody

4.2. Blackwood’s Parodies in Psyche Zenobia’s tales

4.3. Exploitation of the Genre in “The Premature Burial”

5. Hawthorne’s Allegoric Sensationalism

5.1. Hawthorne and Sensationalism

5.2. Treatment and Transformation of Sensational Themes

5.2.1. Psychological Sensationalism in “Wakefield”

5.2.2. Sensational Material in “Egotism; or, The Bosom Serpent”

6. Conclusion

Objectives and Research Themes

This paper examines the influence and exploitation of 19th-century Sensationalism in the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne, aiming to demonstrate how these authors utilized genre themes for their own literary purposes while responding to the cultural status of sensational writing.

• The historical development and definition of Sensationalism in British and American literature.
• The specific formula and elitist nature of Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine.
• Poe’s satirical approach to sensational conventions and his commercial use of the genre.
• Hawthorne’s transition from physical sensationalism to psychological and moral allegory.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. Introduction: This chapter defines the scope of the study, addressing the historical disregard for Sensationalism and outlining the research focus on Poe and Hawthorne.

2. Sensationalism in Britain and Antebellum America: This section traces the origins of the sensational genre and defines its key characteristics in both journalism and fiction.

3. Elitist Sensationalism a la Blackwood’s: The chapter analyzes the history of Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine and explains the formulaic structure of its sensation tales.

4. Edgar Allan Poe’s Sensationalism: This section investigates how Poe parodied and exploited the conventions of sensational literature in his short stories.

5. Hawthorne’s Allegoric Sensationalism: The chapter explores how Hawthorne transformed sensational themes into psychological and moral allegories.

6. Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the findings, confirming how both authors adapted sensationalist techniques to serve their unique literary agendas.

Keywords

Sensationalism, Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, Parody, Sensation Fiction, Psychological Sensationalism, Allegory, 19th Century Literature, Journalism, Mass Audience, Literature and Society, Literary Formula, Victorian Literature, Narrative Structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this research paper?

The paper explores the impact and utilization of the Sensationalism genre by two major 19th-century authors, Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne, specifically focusing on how they reacted to and adopted its conventions.

What are the primary thematic areas covered?

The study covers the history of sensationalism, the formulaic nature of sensational fiction in magazines, the satirical methods of Poe, and the allegorical transformation of sensational themes by Hawthorne.

What is the primary goal of the author?

The goal is to demonstrate that Sensationalism was not merely "cheap entertainment" but a significant cultural phenomenon that deeply influenced the literary works of Poe and Hawthorne.

Which scientific or literary methods are utilized?

The author uses a comparative approach, conducting close readings of specific short stories alongside historical context and source studies of the sensationalist genre.

What is examined in the main part of the work?

The main part focuses on the specific structure of "Blackwood’s sensation tales," analyzes Poe's parodic response to these stories, and evaluates Hawthorne’s psychological allegories.

Which keywords best characterize the work?

Key terms include Sensationalism, Poe, Hawthorne, Blackwood’s Magazine, Allegory, Parody, and 19th-century literature.

Why does Poe use a "headless narrator" in his work?

Poe uses this figure in his parodies to highlight the ridiculousness and excess of the sensationalist genre, contrasting the physical horror of Blackwood’s tales with his own dark, surreal humor.

How does Hawthorne’s approach to "Sensationalism" differ from Poe’s?

While Poe tends to parody and exploit the genre for satire and commercial gain, Hawthorne reworks sensational materials into psychological and moral allegories that focus on internal human experiences rather than physical violence.