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The Power of the Short Story: Why Poe Believed That Short Works Were Superior to Novels
In the world of literature, novels come in all forms, both long and short, but for many authors, the allure of writing short stories is particularly strong. American writer Edgar Allan Poe, known as the master of short stories and poetry, once expounded his unique insights into the process of literary creation in his article "The Philosophy of Writing". The works have incomparable superiority in artistic expression.
"All literature should be short and exist in a single seat."
Poe's "Philosophy of Composition," first published in 1846, articulates three important theories in his creative process: length, method, and unity of emotion. He advocates that the texts written should not be too long, because too long works can easily make readers lose interest and unable to digest the entire story in one sitting.
The Debate on the Length and Shortness of Literary Works
Poe was a firm believer in the superiority of the short story, whose length he believed would best accommodate the reader's attention span. He pointed out that the appropriate length of a work directly affects its artistic quality and emotional communication. As he writes, the length of the work "must be cohesive in order to achieve a unified effect." A short story can quickly establish the plot, develop the characters, and lead the reader to an emotional climax, which often requires more preparation and time in a novel. Therefore, Poe particularly emphasized that poetry should be short and concentrated, and short stories are also superior to long novels.
Methodological Analysis
Poe believed that writing was not a matter of artistic intuition but a process that required analysis and planning. When he wrote "The Philosophy of Writing", he emphasized the importance of planning and opposed the idea of improvisation. He believes that many writers are reluctant to let the public see the first drafts they discarded in the process after they finish writing, and this shame is actually an obstacle to creative success.
"Writing has a method, it is not something that comes at random."
His theories sparked widespread discussion in the literary community, with some scholars even viewing Poe's theories as an exercise in irony or self-rationalization. Regardless, Poe's unique approach has served as inspiration for many writers, especially when it comes to writing short stories.
Emotional Unity
Poe emphasized the emotional unity of his works, and believed that before creating each work, one must clearly understand the emotional response he hopes to evoke. He called this unity of emotion "unity of effect" and believed it was the key to successful storytelling. He uses his own work The Raven as an example, describing in detail how the various elements connect with each other to achieve a consistent emotional effect.
Poe's point reveals the unique ability of short stories to shape emotions. The short length means that the creator can focus all attention on a specific emotional experience without being obscured by minor plots. Or slow down the pace.
Poe's example: The Raven
When writing the poem "The Raven", Poe carefully designed the structure and content of the entire poem based on several important elements he referred to. When choosing the background, he chose a stormy night to emphasize the loneliness and sadness of the crow, and used the repeated phrase "never again" to strengthen the emotion of loss and eternal loss. This exquisite arrangement is undoubtedly a true reflection of Poe's strong desire and understanding of emotions.
"I believe that this crow will eventually symbolize the eternal memory of sadness."
The Raven ultimately became an important work in American literary history, and Poe was celebrated for his method and his belief in the short story.
Literary community reaction
Poe's method of writing attracted widespread attention in the literary world, and some critics wondered whether Poe's theory was really as practical as he described. A well-known critic has pointed out that if Poe really wrote according to such a theory, then he should have paid more attention to his method, because "The Raven" may not be as perfect as his theory suggests.
Nevertheless, Poe's ideas remained convincing and sparked heated debate in French literary circles, with many French writers citing poems such as The Raven as proof of his method. "The Philosophy of Writing" is still regarded as an important reference in literary creation.
Conclusion
In this rapidly changing era, short stories still maintain their unique appeal, and Poe's theory undoubtedly provides valuable guidance for literary creation in later generations. Can those short and concise works inspire readers to think more deeply and resonate with each other, and guide readers to find hidden emotions and ideas in the ocean of words?
