Silence by Edgar Allan Poe (1841)
The narrative revolves around a narrator who seeks to uncover the truth behind his wife's mysterious death. He becomes obsessed with finding out what happened and begins to investigate her past. Through a series of flashbacks, it is revealed that the narrator's wife was involved in a tumultuous relationship with a man named A, who was also involved with another woman. The narrator discovers that A had been planning to leave his current lover for the narrator's wife, but she ultimately rejected him. In a fit of rage, A murdered the narrator's wife and then killed himself.
By Edgar Allan Poe · First published 1841 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Horror, Philosophical Fiction · 1,591 words
First lines
"Ευδουσιν δ" ορεων κορυφαι τε και φαραγγες
Πρωνες τε και χαραδραι.
What this Textopian page supports
Silence is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, dated 1841 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Edgar Allan Poe
- Date: 1841 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Gothic Fiction, Horror, Philosophical Fiction, Fantasy, Symbolism
- Length: 1,591 words
- Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Silence by Edgar Allan Poe
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Silence?
- How does this short story by Edgar Allan Poe fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Gothic Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Gothic Fiction — The work features dark themes, supernatural elements, and a focus on isolation and despair, characteristic of Gothic literature.
- Horror — The vivid descriptions of desolation, terror, and the supernatural evoke a sense of fear and dread.
- Philosophical Fiction — The narrative explores deep themes of existence, solitude, and the nature of silence, prompting reflection on human experience.
- Fantasy — Elements such as the Demon and the mystical qualities of the setting contribute to a fantastical atmosphere.
Tags
Mystery · Thriller · Psychological Fiction · Gothic Horror · Philosophical · Existential · Symbolism · Darkness · Silence · Isolation · Madness · Obsession