homework help--edgar allan poe : )?

Question

ok.. so i have english homework that i can't find any straight answers to on the internet..

what did e.a. poe call virginia clemm when he secretly married her?

how did poe attempt suicide?

was a woman neamed helen at the heart of his depressions and suicide? (im guessing so because the engagement was broken)

did he eventually marry a woman named helen (answers i found say no)

please help me.

Answer 1

No he didn't marry a Helen.

In January 1845, Poe published "The Raven" to instant success but, only two years later, his wife Virginia died of tuberculosis on January 30, 1847. Poe considered remarrying but never did. On October 7, 1849, Poe died at the age of 40 in Baltimore. The cause of his death is undetermined and has been attributed to alcohol, drugs, cholera, rabies, suicide (although likely to be mistaken with his suicide attempt in the previous year), tuberculosis, heart disease, brain congestion and other agents.[2]


Virginia Clemm and Edgar Allan Poe, who were first cousins, were married by a Presbyterian minister, Rev. Amasa Converse, on May 16, 1836. Virginia was 13, though the two listed her age as 21, and Edgar was 27.[2] Debate has raged regarding how unusual this pairing was; noted Poe biographer Arthur Hobson Quinn says the arrangement was not particularly unusual, nor was Edgar's nickname of "Sis" or "Sissy".[3]

Poe suffered from bouts of depression and madness, and he attempted suicide in 1848. In September the following year he disappeared for three days after a drink at a birthday party and on his way to visit his new fiancée in Richmond. He turned up in delirious condition in Baltimore gutter and died on October 7, 1849.

Answer 2

Hi! I'm not going to do your homework for you, but one reason you may not find an answer to the suicide question is because it is not widely believed he committed suicide. Poe is, however, widely known to have been alcoholic and possibly a drug (opium) user, and was found sick on the side of a street! In fact, the reigning speculation is that Poe caught an illness, was unable to get help in time, was found on a street, taken to a hospital, and died. Very sad for such an illuminating artist.

He was depressed because all the important women in his life (birth mother, "adopted" mother, and wife/cousin, Virginia) died from tuberculosis. He didn't marry anyone named Helen; his only wife was Virginia, who was also his cousin. She was only 13 when they married!

Answer 3

From what I recall - Poe referred to his dear Virginia as "Sissy"

regarding suicide - Poe allegedly suffered from bouts of depression and insanity, and in 1848 he nearly died from an overdose of laudanum, which was used as a tranquilizer and pain killer. It is not certain if this was a true suicide attempt or just a miscalculation on Poe's part.

Not aware of any marriages to 'Helen.'

And if I can put my two cents worth in on Poe - I think that as much as he is recognized as a writer today, he probably deserves more credit for his writing. His contribution to literature, in particular American literature, cannot be overstated.

As for Helen: After his wife's death, Poe attempted to court the poet Sarah Helen Whitman, who lived in Providence, RI. Their engagement failed, maybe due to Poe's drinking and erratic behavior. Or perhaps her mother intervened. After that, he returned to Richmond and resumed a relationship with a childhood sweetheart, Sarah Elmira Royster.

Answer 4

I don't want to give you answers for homework but there's helpful info on him at this site. Cause of death, who he married etc..
Hope this helps
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/eapoe.htm

Answer 5

www.wikipedia.org should have a complete biography