The Oblong Box by Edgar Allan Poe
A wealthy man commissions a coffin from a carpenter to be used for his deceased friend's burial. The coffin is made of an unusual shape and material, which sparks curiosity among the townspeople. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the coffin contains something other than a body.
By Edgar Allan Poe · First published 1844 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Mystery, Psychological Thriller · 5,424 words
First lines
Some years ago, I engaged passage from Charleston, SC, to the city of New York, in the fine packet-ship Independence, Captain Hardy. We were to sail on the fifteenth of the month (June), weather permitting; and on the fourteenth, I went on board to arrange some matters in my stateroom.
What this Textopian page supports
The Oblong Box is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, dated 1844 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: 1844 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Gothic Fiction, Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Adventure, Tragedy
- Length: 5,424 words
- Structure: 1 section, 47 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Oblong Box 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
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Oblong Box?
- 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 story features dark themes, psychological tension, and elements of horror, typical of Gothic literature.
- Mystery — The plot revolves around the mystery of the oblong box and the circumstances surrounding the characters, creating suspense.
- Psychological Thriller — The narrative explores the mental states of the characters, particularly the artist's descent into madness.
- Adventure — The setting on a ship and the ensuing storm provide an adventurous backdrop to the unfolding drama.
Tags
Mystery · Thriller · Short Story · American Literature · Gothic Fiction · Dark Fantasy · Supernatural · Horror · Psychological Thriller · Suspense · Crime Fiction · Detective Fiction