Week Six Asssingments and Discussion Starter are Hot.

Greetings,

This week we read the work of one of Richmond's own--Edgar Allen Poe.  Make sure to break up the reading into small chucks.  It looks longer than it is because there are many poems and a few short stories in this week's reading. The most difficult piece, the piece you should start early is Poe's essay, "The Philosophy of Composition," where he describes his theory of poetry and why he writes about the subjects and in the way he does.  If you've been told Poe was a drunk, a druggie, or mad, make sure to read this essay.  Poe was mad, but mad like a fox.

I was able to find etext, wikipedia articles, and audio files for all the week's reading.  If I get time over the week and can track down out-of-copyright movies, I'll post links to free, extra credit Poe movies.  I will also try to update the extra-credit site with possible Poe trips.  It's the 200th anniversary of Poe's brith.  He was born in the same year as Lincoln and Darwin.  When I put together the Poe extra credit, I'll even throw in a Ghost Tour of Richmond and a tour of the Hollywood Cementary.