The Man Who Was Poe

What elements of Gothic literature does Avi employ to emulate Poe’s own stories? How do these affect the mood of the novel?

Dupin/Poe fixates on the many ways he and Edmund are similar. In what key ways are the two main characters different?

At the saloon, Dupin tells Edmund, “Lies have their own truth” (143). What does he mean by this? Is there truth behind any lies told by characters in this story?

Compare and contrast Rachett and Peterson’s different personalities. Do these differences serve as an advantage for the criminals or contribute to their demise?

At the tea party, Poe explains to the fellow guests that “writers write about what they know best. And [...] what some writers know best is what they fear” (117). What does Poe fear or know best? Is this what he writes about in his work?

Poe also tells the guests that “every image [...] has two sides,” and that he never knows which side he will present to others (120). What are Poe’s “two sides”? Compare these with another character who presents themselves in multiple ways.

How does Edmund change or develop over the course of the novel? Use textual evidence to compare his character from the beginning, middle, and end of the story.

At the start of the novel, Edmund asks himself: “Oh, why was it so hard to know what to do? Because I’m young, Edmund answered himself. Grownups know what’s right” (6). What lessons does Edmund learn about grownups? What lessons does he learn about himself?