Edgar Allan Poe Project
Mystery/Detective Stories
The modern mystery story was invented by Edgar Allan Poe. This genre of stories has been popular for generations and made a great number of writers very rich and very famous. If Poe could collect royalties on the formula he invented, hed be the richest writer in the afterlife.
To complete the assignment, youll have to read Poes best two detective stories:
The Murders in the Rue Morgue (handout on Blackboard)
The Purloined Letter (textbook)
and you should also read the Detective/Mystery section of the
Poe formulas handout
And youll watch one of these films, all available on the CPCC library website:
The Sign of Four
A Study in Scarlet
Mr. Wong, Detective
The Mystery of Mr. Wong
And Then There Were None
If youre a die-hard Sherlock Holmes fan, watch Hound of the Baskervilles, but its a multi-episode mini-series.
The assignment:
Write an essay about the film youve watched, explaining how well if follows Poes mystery formula. The formula (as youve seen from the handout) contains a list the features Poe used in his (very influential) mystery stories.
Your introduction will have to explain the formula and name the film.
Youll need a thesis which makes a claim about the extent to which the film follows Poes formula. If the film is exactly what Poe designed, say so. If the film is close but misses some parts, say so.
Solid evidence is vital. Name characters, describe plot points, and quote dialogue when its necessary to prove your points. You dont have to summarize the film; just identify the points connnected to Poes mysteries.
The very best papers will draw parallels between The Purloined Letter and The Murders in the Rue Morgue.
Follow the rules of good writing. Write topic sentences for your paragraphs, name the film (punctuated correctly) and use real, solid, concise examples to prove your point.
Dont force the formula or parts of the formula to fit. If theres no real sidekick, dont force a character into that role, and if theres no red herring, dont invent one. Its ok if the film doesnt match the formula or partially matches the formula or matches the formula perfectly.
Expect to write 400-800words. Follow the rules of good writing. Write topic sentences for your paragraphs, name the film (punctuated correctly) and use real, solid, concise examples to prove your point. Get the easy stuff right!
5 extra points if you can explain what Dupin meant by comparing Prefect Gs investigation methods to a Procrustean bed.
You should know this already, but here are the elements of Poes mystery formula:
1. A story meant to be read and then solved as a puzzle.
Do you think that an attentive viewer should be able to solve the mystery before the answers are revealed? Does the film give you all the information you need?
2. An unbelievably-clever detective, reused from story to story.
3. References to the authors other stories
Remember the beginning of The Purloined Letter, when the narrator introduces Prefect G, saying that theyd worked with him on the case of The Murders in the Rue Morgue.
4. Tension between police and detectives of different agencies
Youve seen this in 1000 tv shows and movies. The NYPD homicide detectives resent the FBI expert assigned to work with them. The patrolman hates the private investigator. The small-town sheriff is looked down on by the big-city. Often by the end of the show theyve become friends, but initally there is suspicion.
5. A sidekick who does little but record the action and give the detective someone to talk to.
6. Red herrings: information which seems like it should be significant but turns out to be unconnected to the crime.
