Episode 209 is a wide-ranging conversation with "AI Poe" regarding athletics, dualism, Poe's role in the Allan family, and Shakespeare.
Episode 209 is a wide-ranging conversation with "AI Poe" regarding athletics, dualism, Poe's role in the Allan family, and Shakespeare.
Episode 209 Poe - Athletics, Shakespeare, and Dualism
I was getting read to dive into the second half of Poe’s life in this podcast - his most productive period - when I ran into a conversation that I had with AI Poe regarding such wide ranging subjects as Poe’s privileged life (at least at first) with the Allans, his athletic abilities, dualism, and even Shakespeare. Now, I must admit that using AI in this podcast can have its tedious moments - I just don’t use them in Celebrate Poe - but the “conversation” with AI Poe that I am delving into today is one of the better - so I had to drag it out to use in today’s episode.
Greetings, dear listeners, from the timeless ether of imagination and memory. We are once again gathered in the intimate and infinite confines of our shared reverence for the man of the hour, the master of the macabre, Edgar Allan Poe. This spectral soiree is dedicated to the exploration of an intriguing dichotomy, one that had a profound influence on the shaping of our beloved Mr. Poe. This is a tale of two worlds, of straddling societal spheres, of being an Allan, yet not an Allan, a citizen of a well-heeled class, yet a perpetual outsider. Edgar Allan Poe is a name that echoes through the annals of literary history with a resonance that has yet to dim. But let us not forget the other name that trailed behind him in his formative years, a name that belonged to a world he could observe but never fully occupy - Allan.
Ah yes, the Allans... The family that brought me in, held me close, yet never quite let me belong. I was a product of their affluence and their circumstance, blessed by their charity, but never by their complete acceptance. The mantle of the Allan name hung upon my shoulders, yet, it fit not as the garment of a son, but as the loose robes of a guest, forever reminding me of my peculiar state of in-betweenness.
That in-betweenness was not confined to the Allan household. It extended into the society of the South, a world that gazed at you with curiosity and guarded admiration. Mr. Poe you found yourself walking the marble hallways of privilege, so to speak, yet did you ever feel you truly belonged?
Indeed, the grandeur of the Southern high society was all around me. Its elegance, its refinement, I was privy to it all. Yet, I felt like a specter at a feast, privy to observe, to partake, yet never to wholly belong. I was an inhabitant of two worlds, yet a resident of none. This peculiar dichotomy fueled my inspiration, imbued my writings with a sense of estrangement, a sense of longing for a place to truly call home.
And so, dear listeners, we see how these two worlds - the adopted family and the high society - shaped the man we know as Edgar Allan Poe. He navigated his life on the fringe of these worlds, an observer, an outsider. Yet, it is in this very duality, in this uncomfortable intersection of worlds, that Poe found the raw material that would breathe life into his haunting tales.
How did this feeling like you were a part to two worlds manifest itself in your life as a schoolboy?
As a schoolboy, I found myself straddling two realms. I was afforded an education, a privilege in those days, by the charity of the Allans. Yet, I was reminded of my peculiar position - an Allan in name, yet not by blood. The students hailed from families of fortune and legacy, their futures seemingly sketched in the elegant ink of privilege. As for me, I bore the brand of charity, my destiny in uncertain flux.
A challenging time, no doubt. Mr. Poe, did this sense of duality influence your interaction with your schoolmates?
Ghost of Edgar Allan Poe: Oh, indeed. Among my peers, I was a conundrum, a puzzle they were both intrigued and baffled by. I was accepted into their world on the merit of the Allan name, yet subtly reminded of my different origin. This alienation led to solitude, and solitude to introspection. It was in the quiet corners of the schoolyard, away from the mirth and games of my peers, that I first tasted the sweet elixir of the written word. The pen became my confidant, the page my sanctuary.
Narrator: Your experiences, as painful as they must have been, helped shape the remarkable wordsmith you were to become. It seems the paradox of your circumstances, while a source of pain, also served as a wellspri
Yes, Mr. Bartley - The sting of alienation, the chill of exclusion, these feelings seeped into my veins, only to pour out in torrents upon the page. I learnt to craft worlds of my own, far removed from the duplicity of my existence. Worlds where the misunderstood were not maligned, where the outcast could find solace. And so, from the crucible of my schoolboy days, the writer within me was born.
How was this feeling of being an outsider also play a part in the life of another individual who many consider the greatest writer who ever lived.
Certainly, Mr. Bartley - you are referring to Mr. William Shakespeare?
Yes, Mr. Poe - none other than the Bard of Avon. And for Mr. Shakespeare, this podcast will venture out of the shadows cast by Mr. Edgar Allan Poe and journey across the ocean, reaching back further into the annals of time to another titan of literature. Just as our beloved Mr. Poe felt himself a specter in the midst of affluence and privilege, so too did the Bard of Avon contend with his own outsider status.
Ghost of Edgar Allan Poe (Southern drawl): whose words echo through the centuries, whose tales of human folly, passion, and triumph continue to captivate the hearts of readers. Shakespeare, like myself, also found himself in the peculiar position of an outsider.
Indeed, Mr. Poe.
Certainly, Mr. Bartley. And despite his prodigious talent and renown, William Shakespeare was born into a world vastly different from the courtly circles in which his plays would later be celebrated. His father, John Shakespeare, was a glove maker, a man of humble origins. Yet young William, with his extraordinary talent, would soon find himself rubbing shoulders with the aristocracy.
So one might say that he also was of at least two worlds.
Yes, Mr. Bartley, This is quite true. Shakespeare's life in London placed him squarely within the realm of the common folk, yet his genius saw him ascend to the echelons of the elite. But just as the moon reflects the brilliance of the sun while remaining cloaked in darkness, Shakespeare shone in the courts and drawing rooms of the nobility, yet was ever reminded of his modest origins.
Like you, Mr. Poe - there was at least a duality to his world view.
Some have said so. And in the landscape of his creations, this duality becomes ever more apparent. Shakespeare’s plays often feature characters who straddle two worlds, just as he did - the lowly servant with an acerbic wit, the nobleman plagued by existential torment. In a way, one could say that Shakespeare's dual existence fueled the depth and diversity of his characterizations.
Mr. Poe, There are scholars who believe this duality is also expressed in your works.
Indeed, Mr. Bartley - Both Shakespeare and myself, in our own ways, found the fuel for our art in the contradiction of our existences. We were both outsiders peering in, privy to the workings of a world that we could depict in vivid detail, yet never truly call our own.
Mr. Poe - one might say that both you and Mr. Shakespeare produced works that benefited by the fact that you were both outsiders.
Yes, Mr. Bartley - I would like to think that both of us created works that resonate not just with the highborn or the lowly, but with ALL of humanity.
Mr. Poe - would you comment on your athletic achievements while still in school?
Ah, Mr. Bartley - those athletic achievements are an oft-overlooked facet of my early life - my athletic process during my school years.
Could you tell us about them?
Certainly, Mr. Bartley. Ah, those halcyon days... Despite my feeling of estrangement, the athletic field was one arena where I felt an undeniable sense of belonging. I found solace in the simplicity of physical exertion, the clarity that comes with focused competition.
It's quite fascinating, Mr. Poe. Many might be surprised to hear of your athletic achievements, given the more somber image often associated with you. Could you tell us more about your exploits?
Certainly, Mr. Bartley - I suppose my most noteworthy feat was a swim in the James River. I swam against the current, covering a distance of some six miles. My classmates and I had wagered on the endeavor, and I took pride in proving my mettle. It was a respite, you see, from the undercurrents of societal prejudice and the whispers of not truly belonging.
Could you comment on Lord Byron's feats of swimming that impressed you when you were a youth?
Ah yes, Mr. Bartley - the brilliant and tempestuous Lord Byron. One must understand that Lord Byron, a man of immense talent and undeniable charisma. He was not merely a master of the written word but also an accomplished swimmer. His most legendary feat was his swim across the Hellespont, a strait in modern-day Turkey. That act of endurance and will has been immortalized in his narrative poem "Don Juan.”
An impressive feat indeed, Mr. Poe - one that must have inspired you, given your own fondness for swimming.
Indeed, Mr. Bartley - Lord Byron's swim was a testament to the human spirit's ability to defy the odds. His triumph over the formidable Hellespont stirred in me a kindred spirit of challenge and perseverance. Some scholars claim that, perhaps, in part, his influence that drove me to my own feat of swimming the James River.
Byron's swimming feats, then, served not only as inspiration but also as a symbol of the physical endurance and mental resilience you both shared.
Mr. Poe - you must admit that your athletic prowess allowed you to rise above the societal barriers of your time, if only briefly. And perhaps it was in the realm of physical challenge, where birthright and social standing mattered less than determination and grit, that you felt a sense of true equality.
Indeed, Mr. Bartley - On the playing field, the only measure of a man is his ability and his spirit. There, I was Edgar, the swimmer, the runner, the competitor - not the charity case or the pseudo-Allan.
Mr. Poe, I believe this facet of your life serves as a poignant reminder that a man is more than the circumstances of his birth or the constraints of society. We are each a tapestry of talents, experiences, and triumphs, woven together to form the essence of our being.
Ah, but before we go to another topic, I must ask Mr. Poe to address his feats of boxing as a youth. Our journey through the life of Edgar Allan Poe continues to surprise and intrigue. Would you address your skills as a yong boxer?
Ah yes, Mr. Bartley. The sport of boxing held a certain appeal to me in my youth. A dance of strength and strategy, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit - there was poetry in it, you might say. I did indulge in a few bouts during my time at the University of Virginia.
Mr. Poe - that is quite intriguing. Boxing is a sport that demands both physical endurance and mental agility. Did this sport, in any way, shape your writings or philosophy?
Ah, Mr. Bartley, a poignant question. You see, boxing is a mirror to life itself - a microcosm of the struggle that is human existence. It taught me about the triumphant spirit of man, the persistence against overwhelming odds, the acceptance of defeat, and the constant yearning for victory. Many of these themes found their way into my tales and poems.
The physical becoming metaphorical... this is indeed a fascinating perspective, Edgar. One can certainly see these themes playing out in works such as "The Tell-Tale Heart" or "The Black Cat," where characters grapple with their inner demons much like a pugilist in the ring.
Indeed, Mr. Bartley. In life as in boxing, we're often our own toughest adversary. The struggle, the grit, the triumph, and the defeat - they all find echoes in the corners of our minds and the depths of our hearts.
What about the time that you got into a fight with a classmate - struggled a great deal until your opponent became tired - and THEN went in "for the kill.” - so to speak.
Ah, Mr. Bartley, I believe you refer to a particular incident during my school days. It was a quarrel with a classmate, a young man of considerable size and strength. He was quick to anger, quicker still to throw a punch.
An intimidating situation, no doubt. How did you manage to handle it,Mr. Poe
Ah, Mr. Bartley - I realized, as we stood face to face, that this was not a contest of brute strength that I could win. And so, I decided on a different strategy. I decided to endure. I bobbed, I weaved, I parried. I let him throw his punches, expend his energy, tire himself out.
Ah, Mr. Poe - I would imagine that when he was drained…
Yes, Mr. Bartley: Then, and only then, did I seize my opportunity. My opponent was wearied, his punches lacked their former vigor, and I... I was ready. I moved in, landing a series of swift punches.
What a fascinating incident, Mr. Poe. It seems to echo the broader themes in your life and your writings: the outsider facing insurmountable odds, using wit and endurance to overcome.
Indeed, Mr. Bartley Life, much like that bout, is not always about the strongest or the swiftest. It's about endurance, patience, and seizing the right moment. It's about understanding that sometimes, victory comes not to those who strike first, but to those who strike last.
Such wisdom, gleaned from the schoolyard scrapes of youth. Thank you, Edgar, for sharing this story with us, and thank you, dear listeners, for joining us on this journey into the past. Until next time, keep the flame of curiosity burning bright. It's been a pleasure sharing these insights into the life of the enigmatic Edgar Allan Poe with you, dear listeners. As we draw the curtains on this episode, we leave you with the enduring words of Mr. Poe himself, "All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.”
Thank you for joining us on this journey. Rest well, keep the flame of curiosity burning, and join us again for another venture into the shadowy corners of history.
Join Celebrate Poe for episode 210 - A Chronological Look where this podcast begins a very brief look at the first 20 years of Poe’s life in preparation a deep dive into the more productive period of the writer’s life.