常春藤生活英语【124】The Master of Terror—Edgar Allan Poe 惊悚大师爱伦坡

The Master of Terror—Edgar Allan Poe 惊悚大师爱伦坡

Edgar Allan Poe was an American novelist, poet, literary critic, and playwright. He also invented the modern detective story. Poe was born as Edgar Poe in Boston on January 19, 1809. Poe's parents passed away when he was very young. Therefore, he was taken in by a couple called the Allans, who gave him his middle name. Poe's relationship with the Allans became difficult while he was at university. Eventually, he left school and joined the military.

Poe then went to live with his aunt and later married his 13-year-old cousin, Virginia Clemm. His first book of poetry was published in 1827, and in 1835, Poe became editor of the "Southern Literary Messenger." There, he began to write essays and literary criticism.

In 1845, Poe published the very successful poetry collection "The Raven and Other Poems." Sadly, Virginia died not long after that, and Poe's state of mind became unstable. Not much is known about Poe's death in 1849. He was found unconscious in the street and died at the hospital shortly after. Even so, Edgar Allan Poe's imaginative works have had a great impact on English literature.

艾德嘉‧爱伦坡是一名美国小说家、诗人、文学评论家以及剧作家。他也是现代侦探故事的始祖。爱伦坡在1809年一月十九日出生于波士顿，原名为艾德嘉‧坡。爱伦坡的父母亲在他年幼时便双双辞世。他因此被一对姓爱伦的夫妇收留，而他中间的名字正是他们所取。爱伦坡念大学时与爱伦家的关系变差。最后他离开了学校并入伍从军。

爱伦坡接着前去和他的阿姨同住，尔后与他十三岁的表妹维吉尼亚‧克里曼结为连理。他的第一本诗集于1827年出版，接着于1835年，爱伦坡成了《南方文学信使》的编辑。他在那里开始书写散文及文学评论。

1845年，爱伦坡出版了一本非常畅销的诗集《The Raven and Other Poems》。不幸的是，维吉尼亚在这不久后便与世长辞，爱伦坡的情绪也变得反复无常。爱伦坡死于1849年，其死因不明。他被人发现躺在街上不省人事，不久即在医院中去世。即使如此，艾德嘉‧爱伦坡深富想象力的作品仍对英文文学有着深远影响。

Building Your Vocabulary

1. detective　n. 侦探（本文中作形容词用）
That detective has solved several cases.
那名侦探已侦破了好几起案子。
2. publish　vt. 出版，发行（书刊等）
Time was first published in 1923.
《时代杂志》于1923年首次出版。
3. criticism　n. 评论，批评
Not everyone can take criticism well.
不是每个人都能虚心接受批评。
4. unstable　a. 反复无常的；不稳定的
We are tired of Lisa's unstable moods.
我们都受够莉莎反复不定的情绪了。
5. unconscious　a. 不省人事的
Ian was unconscious after hitting the wall.
伊恩撞到墙后便失去了知觉。
6. imaginative　a. 富有想象力的
Kids are often more imaginative than adults.
孩子通常比大人还有想象力。

Phrases for Learning

1. take in.../take...in　　收留……
Dora decided to take an unwanted pet in.
多拉决定要收留一只被弃养的宠物。
2. have an impact on...　　对……有影响
The snow had an impact on the traffic.
下雪影响了交通。

Extra Words

1. novelist　n. 小说家
2. literary　a. 文学的
3. critic　 n. 评论家，批评家
4. playwright　n. 剧作家
5. essay　n. 短文，散文
6. raven　n. 渡鸦
7. state of mind　n. 心理状态；心情

Tips In Use

..Poe published the very successful poetry collection...
（……爱伦坡出版了一本非常畅销的诗集……）
　　very 作形容词时是一种强调用法，之前一定置定冠词 the, this, that 或代名词所有格 his, your, my 等，翻译时 very 可不必译出。
Maria had the most wonderful dream that very night.
（玛丽亚就在那晚做了一个非常甜美的梦。）
That was my very first experience of traveling by airplane.
（那是我搭飞机旅行的初体验。）

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