Poe’s been having an awesome year – probably better than most years he had in his actual life.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of his birth, and the 160th anniversary of his death. Among events honoring him is a presentation by the Thoreau Society at Tsongas Gallery in Concord, Saturday, Oct. 31.
The topic is “Poe versus the Transcendentalists.”
According to most sources, Poe considered the New England literary crowd exclusionist and wrote scathing critiques that didn’t help to endear him.
Many of Poe’s contemporaries thought his notions chivalrous, florid, morbidly nostalgic, and often, just plain weird.
So, who would own in a literary cage match?
And how real was the rivalry? Both schools of writing are still so, well, still so haunting.
Rob Velella, who lectures on Poe around the region, will share his ideas.
Admission is free; $5 parking fee. Part of The Thoreau Society’s Window on Walden Afternoons With Authors series.
For more information, visit www.thoreausociety.org.
Margaret Smith is Arts and Calendar editor at GateHouse Media New England's Northwest Unit. E-mail her at msmith@cnc.com.
