The Poetic Principle

E721471

The Poetic Principle is an influential critical essay by Edgar Allan Poe in which he articulates his theory of poetry as an art devoted to beauty and emotional effect rather than moral or didactic purpose.

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Statements (42)

Predicate Object
instanceOf critical essay
advocates brevity in poetry
arguesAgainst didactic purpose in poetry
purely moral function of poetry
author Edgar Allan Poe NERFINISHED
authorFullName Edgar Allan Poe NERFINISHED
authorLifespan 1809–1849
authorNationality American
countryOfOrigin United States of America
surface form: United States
criticizes long poems as unsustainable for poetic effect
discusses relationship between beauty and truth in poetry
emphasizes emotional effect of poetry
firstPublicationDate 1850
form prose essay
genre literary criticism
poetics
hasAuthorialIntention to define the proper scope of poetry
hasInfluenceOn modern discussions of the purpose of poetry
hasKeyTheme emotional resonance as criterion of poetic value
poetry as distinct from didactic writing
primacy of beauty over morality in art
hasReception considered an important statement of Poe's poetics
includedIn collections of Poe's critical writings
influenced later theories of aestheticism
symbolist views of poetry
influencedBy Romantic aesthetics
language English
laterMedium printed essay
literaryMovementContext American Romanticism NERFINISHED
mainSubject aesthetics
poetry
theory of poetry
originalMedium lecture
posthumousPublication true
proposesViewOfPoetryAs art devoted to beauty
publicationCentury 19th century
relatedWorkByAuthor The Philosophy of Composition NERFINISHED
The Rationale of Verse NERFINISHED
statesThat poetry should aim at an intense and pure elevation of the soul
the immediate object of poetry is pleasure
supportsConcept poetry as expression of beauty
poetry as source of elevated pleasure

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Edgar Allan Poe bibliography hasNotableWork The Poetic Principle