As shown in the story, the letter, which can potentially harm an influential person if its contents are disclosed, was stolen by Minister D from a woman and is using it to blackmail her. The plot did not involve any murders or fighting nor did it involve following a blood trail leaved by the criminal. In other words, Poe, in this story, heavily explores the psychological aspects of crime-solving but without the presence of actual theories.Īs mentioned above, the main evidence that shows that the story turns away from the action common in detective stories is the case of missing letter. In fact the title itself, which simply means “the stolen letter,” already indicates that it would involve a non-conventional detective plot.

Meaning to say, right from the start, the main plot revolves around solving the case of a simple lost letter, unlike action-paced detective stories. Auguste Dupin, who also solved the case in question.ĭuring their conversation, the prefect of police, Monsieur G arrives and seeks the help of Dupin regarding an unsolved case in which a letter, which is believed to contain valuable information against a powerful individual, is stolen from a young lady by Minister D, who is an important government official. This is already evident right at the beginning of the story where the narrator recounts the events of “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” with his friend C. His style reflects many of the ideals of Romanticism, which values emotion, imagination, and individuality over science and industrialization.A Critique of Edgar Allan Poe’s Short Story “The Purloined Letter” AnalysisĮdgar All Poe’s short story, “The Purloined Letter,” is basically a detective story like his past work, “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.” However, unlike his other detective stories, this one significantly deviates from the action-based and intense plot to come up with a story that is intellectually-driven and uses non-conventional crime solving methods. Although he struggled to maintain steady work, he is believed to be one of the first writers to earn a living on writing alone. He died in 1849 under what are still considered mysterious circumstances.ĭuring his life, Poe worked as a writer, poet, editor, and literary critic. He married his 13-year-old cousin, Virginia Clemm, in 1836 following her death (of tuberculosis) in 1847, Poe descended into depression and substance abuse.

Following a brief time in the army, Poe decided to focus exclusively on writing and literature.

He was admitted to the University of Virginia but could not complete his studies due to lack of financial assistance and a growing mountain of gambling debts. This left Poe in the care of the Allans, a wealthy couple who were friends of the family. Shortly after Poe was born, his father abandoned the family and his mother died.

The purloined letter summary