Celebrate Poe

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate creativity - Episode 402 - The Future of History - My hope is that listeners get more out of their AI interactions - and I certainly will be helping you along the way.  I also plan nothing less than for "Celebrate Creativity" to become a vibrant, intergenerational hub for exploring the enduring power of human imagination, supported by the exciting possibilities of modern technology.You might  "Use an AI bot (such as ChatGPT, Gemini, or Perplexity), and ask it to compare and contrast the poetic styles of Edgar Allan Poe and Walt Whitman. Specifically, ask it to discuss their use of meter, imagery, and themes of nature/death. After you get the AI's response, read one poem by each author (e.g., Poe's 'Annabel Lee' and Whitman's 'O Captain! My Captain!'). Do you agree with the AI's analysis? Where does it align, and where does your own reading diverge?  Of course you can obviously do a lot more, but we get into that later.I'm just throwing out these ideas, and showing you what can be done - which is very important - not necessarily asking that you do these activities right now - but we certainly will get into that and a lot more later.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Creativity - previously celebrate poe - this is episode 401 - From Poe to AI, Part Two - In this podcast episode, I wanna be getting away from Poe for now and delving more into AI. And now when I talk about AI or AI bots, just think about websites that use AI can you can ask a question - more about that later.Now, opening a play on Broadway certainly is a demanding undertaking.  And I want to start today's podcast by briefly mentioning two people who helped open plays on Broadway in their 90s. First, Adrienne Kennedy of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, born in 1931, is an American playwright known for her unique and surreal theatrical style. She grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and later attended Ohio State University, where she earned a B.A. in education in 1952. Her plays frequently center Black women and delve into the impact of racism and societal pressures. In 2022, at the age of 91, Adrienne Kennedy made her Broadway debut as a playwright with Ohio State Murders. This play, written decades earlier, draws on Kennedy's own experiences as a student at Ohio State University in the late 1940s and early 1950s, highlighting the systemic racism she encountered.  And John Harold Kander - born in 1927 - along with his partner lyricist Fred Ebb.) wrote the scores for 15 musicals, including Cabaret (1966) and Chicago (1975.), He and Ebb also wrote the standard "New York, New York" (officially known as "Theme from New York, New York"). When he was 94 he wrote the music for a Broadway musical version of New York New York - a play that received 11 Tony nominations and four wins.Now I want to continue from last week and jump back to the subject of doing historical research with AI.  And for the rest of this episode, I am largely going over comments from Gemini.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Creativity - formerly Celebrate Poe.  This is episode 400 - From Poe to AI, Part One -  and I am especially excited at the new possibilities that this new direction allows. Let me explain:A few days ago, I wrote a short note to my podcast host, buzz sprout, not really knowing what to expect - I wrote - I do a podcast called Celebrate Poe that has had 398 episodes, in 100 countries and territories. For episode 400, I would like to announce that the name of the podcast is being changed to Celebrate Creativity - that would give me more room to deal with other writers and creative people of the 19th century, such as Frederick Douglass, Walt Whitman, and Emily Dickinson, as well as dealing with subjects as the use of AI and literary and historical research. My question is - can you change the name of an existing podcast - for example, from Celebrate Poe to Celebrate Creativity. BTW - if you can, at the beginning of each episode, I would say welcome to Celebrate Creativity (formerly Celebrate Poe). George BartleySecretly, I was very concerned that such a change in name would not be possible, because of all the connections that are involved in distributing a podcast but apparently buzzsprout or somebody else had already thought of that. And I was delighted to receive the following reply from my podcast host within a few minutes:Hey George!I'm happy to help you change your podcast name! That is really impressive to reach the 400 episode mark!!! I think that is a great idea to rebrand and open up new topics. When you release episode 400, you could change the name when that episode is released, and it will update on the directories!Start by going to Settings > Podcast Settings, then you can change your name in the Podcast Title field. Please let us know if you have any questions during the rebrand and please let us know when you publish #400 so we can celebrate with you!Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textHello - this is George Bartley - just wanted to let you know that starting with Episode 400, the name of this podcast will be changed from Celebrate Poe to Celebrate Creativity - this way, this podcast can really delve more into 19th century writers, as well as human creativity, and the use of AI in literary and historical research - a lot more fun than it might appear at first!   So don't miss episode 400 of Celebrate Poe - oh, I mean - Celebrate Creativity.But as for now - Welcome to Celebrate Poe - episode 399 - The Controversial CoverThis episode is about the cover of the first edition of Walt Whitman's leaves of Grass - with one of the most controversial covers of its time - largely because of what it did not have. There was no picture on the front page of he book, just ornate an engraving of the title - leaves of grass. The book is a collection of 12 poems, and nothing like it had ever been published before. Let's talk to Mr. Whitman about that first edition.Mr. Whitman, I want to talk with you about the first edition of leaves of grass - in fact more to the point, it's original cover. First, mr. Whitman, could you simply explain what the cover and frontspace looked like?Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - This is episode 398 - Leaves of Music, Part TwoWell heIlo, WaltGreetings, George.Now In the previous episode, I began a conversation with Mr. Walter Whitman specifically about opera.Well Mr. - I mean Walt - What would you say was the role of music in general in your works?Music in general was a central metaphor in my life and work, both as a metaphysical mindset and as a practical reality. I was blessed with an extraordinary ear for inner rhythms which I then In articulated in radically free, rolling, thrusting verses which revitalized the entire world of poetic language. That same ear led me to to a strong appreciation of classical music. My musical journey was a largely self-taught quest in which I relied on both my innate musicality and my experience as a music journalist to formulate aesthetic principles that would carry over into my poetWell. ultimately, what would you say about the importance of exposure to differing forms of music to the United States?“George,I say no land or people or circumstances ever existed so needing a race of singers and poems differing from all others,” I wrote in “A Backward Glance o'er Travel'd Roads.” Yet, it was only by exposure to European opera and art song that I began to really discover and appreciate tI universality of classical music's language. That exposure came during the 1840′s and 1850′s when I served as a member of New York City's working press, reviewing musical performances at Casthee Garden, Palmo's Opera House,  the Astor Place Theater, and the Academy of Music. After enjoying a year of press seats for the Brooklyn Eagle, I admitted that foreign music was exercising an elevating influence on American taste. From the late 1840′s onward My critical posture gradually shifted from a stance of tolerance to one of sophisticated pleasure and finally to one of total passion for classical music, especially for opera.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 397- Leaves of Music - Part OneBefore getting into Whitman's literary output in earnest, I would like to have at least two episodes about Walt Whitman, and what is often seen as a controversial and sometimes even unfamiliar art form - Opera. First I'd like to begin, with a recent incident that has stayed in my mind since it occurred. A kind friend - who I will call John - offered to take my other half and myself to an opera. We know that he was an opera buff, and we're very eager to see what we thought was a local production of the marriage of Figaro.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe for episode 396 Finding a Home, Part Two.This will be the final episode before the Fourth of July - a day when we celebrate the birth of this country and hopefully are especially mindful of democracy and it's foundations.  So out of necessity, this episode will be a few minutes longer to a deal with such areas ranging from at Edgar Allan Poe bohemian lifestyle, as well as another look at Whitman's first book of poetry, and some of his thoughts regarding democracy.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - episode 395 - Finding a Home, Part OneWelcome back Walt. That's hard for me to get used to. I'd rather call you Mr. Whitman out of respect, but if you prefer the familiar Walt understand.Thank you George. Remember that even my family even changed my name from Walter to Walt.Then the name Walt it is. First let me ask about your writing - what style do you say you used?Ah George, I would like to think that my writing is direct and even conversational. I consider my writing to be successful if I have addressed readers as if they are close friends, often using the first person and speaking with bold, unapologetic intimacy.I have noted that your language stresses democratic ideals and is very inclusive.Yes, George. I must admit that I saw myself as the voice of democracy, embracing all people and experiences. I attempted to construct language thatis inclusive, non-discriminatory, and celebrates diversity - to express my writing with a sense of openness and acceptance, inviting all listeners to feel part of the conversation.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - where - and who knows - maybe next month is also about Walt Whitman. This is episode 394 - Simplicity. In the past few episodes, this podcast has dealt with some very complex issues such as slavery, but in this episode I would like to talk with Mr. Whitman about something that was central to his upbringing, and that quality was simplicity.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Whitman.  My name is George Bartley. This is episode 393 - Schoolteaching YearsWhen we left Walt in the previous episode, it seemed that his future career seemed set in the newspaper and printing trades - he saw the ability to print text that brought about images and emotions in the minds of other people to be almost magical. This was finally a vocation that he wanted to pursue.Unfortunately, two of New York City's worst fires destroyed the major printing and business centers of the city.  And New York, formerly a place of growth, suffered a dismal financial climate.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Whitman.  My name is George Bartley, and this episode  392 I Sing The Body ElectricIn the previous episode, Celebrate Whitman dealt with the artist's three months in New Orleans.  I had planned to talk with Mr. Whitman about his perceptions of the slave markets there, but it turned our to be more than enough for an episode all itself.  So in this episode, I would like to talk with the ghost of Mr. Whitman about some of the writer's complex feelings about slavery.But first - a little bit about slavery in New Orleans in the state of Louisiana.  Now slavery was introduced in Louisiana by French colonists in 1706. And Louisiana was to experience slavery under several colonial powers, including the French, Spanish, and briefly by the French again, before becoming part of the United States in 1803.Greetings, Mr. Bartley.Hello, Mr. Whitman.In this episode, I want to talk about some of your observations regarding slavery in Louisiana.Ah yes, Mr. Bartley - I had never experienced so much slavery around me until my three months in Louisiana.  And I must admit that the proliferation of slavery all around me had a profound impact on my views and future writings about slavery. I witnessed slave auctions firsthand and kept an advertisement for one as a "reminder" and "warning" for decades after.  The large presence of enslaved people and the realities of slavery focused my attention on the themes of slavery and freedom in a way that my previous environment in New York had not. Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Whitman - My name is George Bartley, and this is episode 391 Sojourn in the South.Greetings, Hello, Mr. Whitman.As a Youth, you worked in the printing industry in New York at the Eagle - a connection that lasted throughout 1847.  But, as I understand it, you made an extremely memorable shift.  Could you tell us about it in your own words?Certainly,  - Now remember - I was the hard-working editor of a publication by the name of the Eagle and “for two yeas had one of the pleasantest sits of my life — a good owner, good pay, and easy work and hours - the workday ended about three every afternoon.. The troubles in the Democratic party broke forth about those times - :And what time was that?Ah, between 1848 and 1849.  And I split off with the Radicals wing, which led to rows with the boss and 'the party' and I lost my place. Being now out of a job, I was rather desolute and went to the theatre.  It happened that I met a man at the theatre by the name of McClure.  He planned to establish a newspaper called the Crescent in New Orleans.  By the way, it is said that we met between acts one night in the lobby of the old Broadway Theatre near Pearl Street in New York.  Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate poe  - Episode 390 - The Quaker PreacherToday I want to talk about Elias Hicks - a fascinating person who greatly influenced Walt Whitman.Greetings, Mr. Bartley.Hello, Mr. Whitman.   Now today I want to talk about Elias Hicks.Ah, Mr. Bartley - you mean the Quaker preacher.r  Yes, Mr. Whitman - the one and the same.Yes, I find the subject of Elias Hicks to be a most fascinating one.  And you know that I greatly enjoy learning about the ancestry of various individuals who were important to my life.  Yes, Mr. Whitman - it seems that family history was an integral part of one's identity for individuals living during your lifetime.Exactly, Mr. Bartley, in the case of Elias Hicks, his family was descended from Robert Hicks, who, in 1622 at 42 years of age, arrived on the ship Fortune in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - My name is George Bartley, and this is episode 389 - What Did Whitman Read?Ghost sound   Hello, Mr. Whitman.Greetings, George.Mr. Whitman - I mean Walt - we have been talking about your youth.  And I understand that you were largely self-taught in many respects.  It seems that you greatly enjoyed reading Shakespeare and the King James Version of the Bible.I certainly was impressed by Mr. Shakespeare's works during my youth - as well as later in life - and basked in the beauty of his words.Yes, from what I understand, your view of Shakespeare's works evolved - if that is the right word - during your life.  Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - My name is George Bartley, and this is episode 388 - Celebrating WhitmanEdgar Allan Poe and Walt Whitman are, arguably, the greatest writers of the 19th century. So last year, I decided to start a new podcast about Walt Whitman called celebrate whitman, as well as continuing celebrate Poe. Here is a 30 second promo for that new "Celebrate Whitman" podcast:"From the creator of the acclaimed "Celebrate Poe" podcast comes a new audio journey into the life and revolutionary works of Walt Whitman. "Celebrate Whitman" immerses you in the bold, optimistic vision of America's quintessential poet. Discover Whitman's cosmic perspective and how he captured the spirit of democracy through his groundbreaking free verse. Join us as we explore "Leaves of Grass" and Whitman's enduring impact on literature and culture.  Official premiere for Celebrate Whitman is July 4, 2024.”Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to celebrate Poe - episode 387 - what did Whitman sound like part two - in the previous episode, my big concern was coming up with a voice for the imaginary ghost of Walt Whitman that sounded definitely distinct from my natural voice as George, as well as embodying the communication styles of Walt Whitman.  And by the end of this episode, I hope you Will agree that I came up for a valid voice to represent the writer.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 386 - What Did Whitman Sound Like, 1In previous years, I have always done episodes about Walt Whitman simply by talking about his life. I did not use the format of me talking in the first person, and asking questions from Walt Whitman because I simply didn't know where to start regarding the topic of what did Walt Whitman sound like.  There is a controversial recording of what may have been Whitman's voice, but it is a very poor quality and isn't much help at all.So I decided to use perplexity AI in finding out information about Walt Whitman's voice - what he may have sounded like and how I could get the spirit of that across and a podcast. So I started with this prompt - and note that - and this is something I will say over and over again - you need to give a lot of information in your prompt to an AI bot even if it doesn't seem necessary to get a good response. This is my prompt regarding getting the qualities for Walt Whitman's voice, and I apologize for the length. - but you really need to try and be thorough.I do a podcast called celebrate Poe about the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe. It has had almost 400 episodes and downloads in more than 100 countries and territories. The format is that I interview the imaginary ghost of Edgar Allan Poe regarding his works and life. Of course I use my voice as the interviewer, and a Southern Voice as Edgar Poe. I used to be a historical re-enactor as Poe, and use a deep southern drawl - one that most authorities believe that Edgar Poe would've used, being from Richmond and not influenced by such sources as television, movies, and the Internet. And I am from Staunton Virginia, so a southern draw is not hard for me. Now fo pride month - june - and maybe longer - I am playing the part of an interviewer while interviewing the the imaginary ghost of Walt Whitman - using my natural voice and Walt Whitman responding in the first person. My question is do you have any advice on coming up with a voice to represent Walt Whitman for the podcast? Of course this is purely for audio, so I can contort my face all kinds of positions - but what qualities should I go for in coming up with a Voice for Walt WhitmanThank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textThey took each other's hands. Each gave way to the impulse of his manly love, rarer, alas! but as tender and true as the love of woman, and they drew nearer and kissed each other.These words are from what is generally agreed to be America's first gay novel.  Stick with this podcast as we delve into the 1870 novel Joseph and His Friend, and this is Episode 385 - America's First Gay Novel.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 384 Drake the Rake.After devoting an episode to Fitz Green Halleck, I thought I would devote an episode to - well, I don't think lover is exactly the right word - but the person who was an extremely close friend of Fitz Green Halleck.And we have the ghost of Joseph Rodham Drake right here.Ghost soundHello I am Mr. Bartley. And you may call me George. Hello, Mr. Drake - may I call you Joseph?Certainly.Joseph, could you tell me a little bit about your life?Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textNo name in the poetical world is more firmly established than that of Fitz-Green Halleck. (Ghost of Poe voice)Edgar Allan Poe wrote these words about Fitz green Halik for Graham's Magazine in 1843. This episode will take a look at Halleck as inspiration for some of America's first homoerotic works. My name is George Bartley, and this is Episode Episode 383 - to clasp thy hand in mine revisited. This is the first of a series of podcast episodes for Pride months dealing with some of the individuals in Poe's literary circle - some of the I people who were responsible for some of the earliest homoerotic literature in the United States.If you have been listening to past episodes of Celebrate Poe, you probably know by now that I really like memory aids - especially when introducing a new subject or individual.  Probably the most important name to remember  is Fitz-Greene Halleck.   At first, I wasn't sure if the name was pronounced HALeck or HAYeck - but think of the computer Hal in 2001 - A Space Odyssey - Hal - who has the famous line “I'm sorry Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that.” Think Hal - for Halleck.  And if I say HAYLeck instead of HALeck - which I probably will do - just chalk it up to me pronouncing the word wrong - it should be HALeck.Fitz-Greene HALeck was born in 1790 - almost 20 years before Poe - in Guillford, Connecticut.  Haleck and Guilford had an interesting relationship -  it is said that the town never fully accepted Fitz Greene, and even though Halleck moved back to Guilford for the last two decades of his life, it appears that he never really felt at ease in his own hometown.   Now when Fitz-Greene was two years old, two drunken soldiers were passing by his father's front door. The soldiers thdought it would be funny to discharge their rifles loaded only with powder right next to the side of the infant's head.  They thought it would be funny to watch the infant scream. As a result, little Fitz-Greene had severe hearing problems in his left ear for the rest of his life - often appearing isolate in his relationships with other people because he just wasn't able to hear what they said.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to celebrate Poe this is episode 382 - Poe's Pit and Pendulum.Ghost soundGlad you're there Mr. Poe.  You know in the previous episode we discussed the Raven. I would like to take a similar look at what I personally feel is one of your Best stories - the pit and the pendulum - although the black cat, the mask of the red death, the fall of the house of usher, and especially the telltale heart have to be up there with it in terms of popularity todayI found that most interesting, Mr. BartleyWell let's start out by simply asking what kind of literature would you call the pit and the pendulum?My work The Pit and the Pendulum is a quintessential example of Gothic literature, employing several key elements of the genre to evoke fear, suspense, and psychological torment. The story takes place in a dark, oppressive dungeon during the Spanish Inquisition, a setting that is emblematic of Gothic literature. The dungeon is described as mysterious, claustrophobic, and perilous, with features like the yawning pit and the descending pendulum designed to instill dread. This setting creates an atmosphere of gloom and doom, heightening the reader's sense of unease.Please continue Mr. Poe.The narrative revolves around the protagonist's imminent death, with each torture device symbolizing different aspects of mortality. The pit represents an abyss of unknown horrors, while the pendulum symbolizes time's inexorable march toward death. These elements underscore Gothic literature's preoccupation with mortality, decay, and existential dread.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to celebrate Poe - episode 381 - Edgar Poe Explains the Raven.Sorry if I gave you the wrong idea in the previous episode, but in this episode I want to delve more into Poe's most famous work.GHOST SOUNDHello Mr. PoeGreetings Mr. BartleyVery welcome to see you today Mr. Poe.  I was just saying that I wanted to deal into your most famous work in today's podcast episode.Oh Mr. Bartley that would have to be the Raven. We certainly talked about the poem in the previous episode, but I welcome another chance to deal to the work.Maybe a good place to start Mr. Poe would be just for you to explain the importance of the ravenAh Mr. Bartley, The Raven can best be described As a profound meditation on human suffering and mortality. The poem explores how grief can consume an individual's rationality and sense of self. The poem's haunting refrain, "Nevermore," encapsulates not just the narrator's despair but also the universal finality of loss that all must confront. Through vivid imagery, Gothic symbolism, and psychological depth, I attempted to create an enduring work that resonates with readers' own experiences of sorrow and longing.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - This is episode 380 (getting on up there) called More Supernatural Elements.Mr. Bartley: I have the Ghost of Mr. Poe here, and would like to dive right into Mr. Poe' s  basic belief about his character's struggles.Mr. Poe: Ah, Mr. Bartley - permit to emphasize that it was important to frequently examine the duality of human nature—the conflict between rationality and irrationality or good and evil—through my characters' subconscious struggles:  for example, In William Wilson, the protagonist is tormented by a doppelgänger who represents his conscience. This internal conflict aligns with Gothic themes of moral ambiguity and self-destruction.  The duality in my works echoes earlier Gothic explorations of divided selves (e.g., Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) but with greater emphasis on psychological complexity.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - This is episode 379 - Supernatural ElementsWell How are you, Mr. Poe - and waiting to begin our conversationVery tolerable, Mr. Bartley -and most eager to share our thoughts.Mr Poe - It seems that you often employ eerie and decaying settings to create an atmosphere of dread and suspense.  For example, in The Fall of the House of Usher, the crumbling mansion mirrors the psychological decay of its inhabitants. The house itself becomes a character, embodying themes of isolation and impending doom.  Your settings often include elements like dungeons, vaults, and desolate landscapes, which are staples of Gothic literature.Ah, yes, Mr. Bartley - I attempted to delve deeply into the human psyche, focusing on madness, guilt, and obsession. Stories such as The Tell-Tale Heart and The Black Cat feature unreliable narrators whose deteriorating mental states drive the narrative. These characters' inner turmoil aligns with Gothic themes of psychological horror and moral ambiguity.  And I would like to think that my use of first-person narration intensifies the sense of unease by immersing readers in the disturbed thoughts of my protagonists.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe. Episode 378 -  Chilled Into StoneWell, in the previous episode Mr.Poe and I were engaged in a vigorous - don't know if that is the right word for it - a vigorous discussion about what many consider to the his best story - The Fall of the House of Usher - although to be honest, I prefer The Tell Tale Heart or possibly The Cask of Amontillado - but I better say that before Mr. Poe arrives.Greetings, Mr. BartleyOh, Hello, Mr. Poe, I didn't realize you were there.Ah, Mr. Bartley - you are certainly entitled to your opinion - such as it is.Ah, Mr Poe, I don't know what to say - don't want to offend the literary master.Ah, Mr. Bartley - sometimes the best thing to say is nothing.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 377 - The House is a Vampire!My name is George Bartley, and for the rest of this series, I want to really look into a house that might not make it into Better Homes and Gardens - but is often classified as Edgar Allan Poe's greatest work.  The story is definitely Gothic in tone, complicated from a psychological standpoint, and a great example of how Poe dealt with vampiric characters and themes.Madeline and Roderick Usher are both vampiric-like characters that seem to take the life out of each other.  And even the house in which they live - with its eye-like windows - can be seen as a vampiric character.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textMr. Bartley - plain fontMr. Poe - italics fontWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 376 - A Crawling ShapeIn this episode, I would like to slightly change the subject to early Gothic novels such as The Castle of Otrano - literature that most scholars believed influenced Edgar Poe's works.Ah, Mr. Bartley - I know that some scholars have said that I must have been familiar with the The Castle of Otranto from 1764, which many have said was the first Gothic novel,and influenced such individuals as Ann Radcliffe and Mary Shelley, whose works I greatly admired and even referenced. My own Gothic tales, such as The Fall of the House of Usher, share thematic and stylistic elements with Walpole's work, including haunted settings, supernatural events, and psychological terror.Ah yes, Mr. Poe - what about E.T.A. Hoffman?Ah, Mr. Bartley, Mr. Hoffman definitely influenced my works - due to hisuse of first-person narratives and exploration of madness, align with techniques pioneered in Otranto.  And I must point out how Otranto's Gothic tropes - —haunted castles, doomed aristocrats, and supernatural Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 375 - TormentedI have the ghost of Mr. Poe here - and I would like to ask Mr. Poe a very basic question that many readers of your work have - Mr. Poe - why did you use so much gruesome imagery in your works - imagery that would be difficult for many readers in the mid19th century to handle.Ah, Mr. Bartley, my use of gruesome imagery often served as a metaphor for societal or existential concerns. For example, stories such as "The Masque of the Red Death" critique human arrogance in the face of mortality, while "The Fall of the House of Usher" symbolizes decay—both personal and societal. My works frequently challenge sentimental literature by presenting death not as a redemptive force but as an inevitable and horrifying reality.Yes, Mr. Poe - I am finding out everyday that your works are incredibly complex.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate. Poe. Episode 374 - PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES where the ghost of Edgar Allan Poe and myself continue our discussion of how the writer surpassed the boundaries of Gothic literatureWe begin this episode by continuing our discussion on how the theater might've affected your writings.Mr. Poe: Ah, Mr. Bartley, Now the dramatic storytelling inherent in theater from parents and youth may have also contributed to my affinity for Gothic literature. My works often featured dark, mysterious settings and explored themes such as death, decay, and the supernatural.Furthermore, the artistic environment surrounding my parents' careers could have nurtured my early interest in poetry and literature. Despite the hardships I faced after their deaths, my foundation may have laid the groundwork for my later literary achievements.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - What Is Gothic - Episode 373 - the first of a extended series of podcasts - at least 10 podcasts under the general subject title of Poe and Gothic literature.This podcast episode begins with a few bars of  “Come Rest in this Bosom.”  Very calm, peaceful, and relaxing - and a medley that one of Edgar Poe's  beaus said was his favorite.  You might say that such a relaxing melody is all the things that Gothic is not.  And that leads me to one of the subjects of the next few episodes - What does Gothic mean?Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 372 - Dracula and DoublesBefore we go any further, I want to give you a basic definition of a double in literature or movies - first using some fairly recent examples.Now a "double" refers to a character or figure that acts as a duplicate or counterpart to another, often embodying opposing traits or hidden aspects of the original character's personality. This motif explores duality, fragmented identity, and moral conflict, serving as a reflection of the protagonist's inner struggles or desires. Doubles can represent repressed qualities (e.g., evil impulses), moral opposites, or even societal anxieties, creating tension and conflict that drives the narrative.Toni Morrison's Beloved (1987)In this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the ghostly figure of Beloved acts as a double for Sethe's guilt and trauma over her past actions. The motif highlights themes of memory, motherhood, and the haunting effects of slavery..Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca (1938)While not a modern work in publication date, its influence persists in contemporary Gothic fiction. The unseen presence of Rebecca acts as a psychological double for the narrator, embodying her insecurities and fears about her identity in relation to her husband's first wife.These two modern examples demonstrate how the double motif remains a powerful literary tool for exploring complex psychological and social issues while maintaining its Gothic roots in creating tension and unease.Listen to this episode to hear a theory regarding how the theme of "the double" is used in Bram Stokers Dracula!Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Episode 371 - The Black VampyreIn this episode I would like to delve into a literary work published by C. Wiley and Company on June 23, 1819 - The Black Vampyre.   Unfortunately, the story has a lot of archaic words that we just don't use any more - so I think a better way to look at The Black Vampyre is tell its overall story - rather ahead of its time for period in which it was written.'The full title of the short story is The Black Vampyre, and was supposedly written under the name of Uriah Derick D'Arcy - although some later editions have attributed the story to other writers. The Black Vampire is not only considered the first black vampire story, but the first comedic vampire story, the first vampire story by an American author, and perhaps the first anti-slavery short story of any kind.  The story is set against the conditions that set into motion the Revolution in Haiti.  As you will soon realize, The Black Vampyre is full of all kinds of improbable plot changes and twists - strange over the top situations that allow it to come across as humorous while also subversive.Welcome to Episode 371 - The Black VampyreThank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - This is 370 - The Judge's House, Part TwoIf you have not heard the previous episode, I recommend that you listen to Episode 369.  That episode has an interesting introduction to the tale, as well as the beginning of the slow-burn drama and eventual of Bram Stoker' The Judge's House. Tonight the rats disturbed him more than they had done on the previous night. How they scampered up and down and under and over! How they squeaked, and scratched, and gnawed! How they, getting bolder by degrees, came to the mouths of their holes and to the chinks and cracks and crannies in the wainscoting till their eyes shone like tiny lamps as the firelight rose and fell. But to him, now doubtless accustomed to them, their eyes were not wicked; only their playfulness touched him. Sometimes the boldest of them made sallies out on the floor or along the mouldings of the wainscot. Now and again as they disturbed him Malcolmson made a sound to frighten them, smiting the table with his hand or giving a fierce “Hsh, hsh,” so that they fled straightway to their holes.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 369 The Judge's House, Part OneBut before we go any further, I want to announce that Celebrate Poe has now had downloads in 100 countries and territories.Now I have another surprise for you from Bram Stoker's 1914 Dracula's Guest - a short story called The Judge's House.  I admit that I first thought about covering Dracula's Guest in just one episode - but that made the episode way too long. So I am splitting The Judge's House into two sections.  It is not Draculesque (if that is a word) and it may not seem like much is happening, but has a build-up to the climax in the second half that is really powerful and well worth the wait.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe.  This is Episode 368 - Varney VS DraculaThis podcast has had episodes about Varney the Vampire, as well as Bram Stoker's Dracula - but you might well be wondering - what are the realdifferences between the two vampires?  Weren't all vampires of the 19th century alike.  Well, in this episode, I am going to try and compare Varney and Dracula - and there might be more differences than you think.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 367 The blood is the life!Today I would like to start out by comparing Bram Stoker's Dracula's castle to Edgar Allan Poe's decaying House of Usher.Both Castle Dracula and the House of Usher are iconic Gothic settings that share several key characteristics, emphasizing decay, isolation, and a sense of foreboding. However, they also have distinct features that set them apart.Castle Dracula is described as a vast, ruined structure with broken battlements and tall black windows. Its exterior shows signs of decay, with carvings worn by time and weather. The castle's imposing architecture and remote location on a great rock contribute to its air of impenetrability and isolation.In contrast, the House of Usher is portrayed as a mansion rather than a castle, but it shares the theme of decay. The exterior of the House of Usher is covered in "minute fungi" and a "fine tangled web-work," creating a more organic form of deterioration.Both structures evoke a sense of ancient history and faded grandeur. Castle Dracula is associated with Romanian aristocracy and contains valuable artifacts from centuries past. The House of Usher, while not explicitly tied to nobility, also carries an aura of long-standing family history.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 366 - Would You Like Some Sugar with Your Flies - In this episode, I would like to zero in for a look at my favorite character in Dracula - Renfield.Now while Dracula operates in the shadows, Renfield's behavior acts as an overt "index" of the vampire's presence, making him a more visible and erratic counterpart to Dracula's subtle menace. Dracula's motivations and actions are complex and calculated, while Renfield's madness reduces him to more primal and straightforward desires - in other words eating mice and insects.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 365 - Vampire BridesLet's jump into Bram Stoker's 1897 Gothic novel - Dracula.  Now the character of Count Dracula draws from  draws from historical figures, folklore, and literary innovation, and is widely believed to be inspired by Vlad III Dracula (Vlad the Impaler), a 15th-century Wallachian prince known for his brutal tactics against Ottoman invaders.  The name "Dracula" derives from Vlad II Dracul, Vlad III's father, who belonged to the Order of the Dragon (Dracul meaning "dragon" or "devil" in Romanian).Now Bram Stoker - though we don't have any solid proof of this - likely encountered the name of Vlad the impaler - the 15th century Wallachian prince known for his brutal tactics against Ottoman invaders - in his research for his novel, but there is no proof that Stoker's modeled the Count directly on him. Scholars note Stoker's notes mention neither Vlad nor Transylvanian history in depth. He may have just liked the sound of the name.In fact, Stoker blended vampire folklore with Gothic tropes, possibly inspired by actors Sir Henry Irving (for Dracula's aristocratic demeanor) and Jacques Damala. Many scholars believe he lesbian vampire tale Carmilla (1872) also influenced the novel's tone.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 365 - Dracula's Guest, Part TwoAnd welcome to the second part and conclusion of Bram Stoker's Dracula Guest.  As I looked there came a cold shiver in the air, and the snow began to fall. I thought of the miles and miles of bleak country I had passed, and then hurried on to seek the shelter of the wood in front. Darker and darker grew the sky, and faster and heavier fell the snow, till the earth before and around me was a glistening white carpet the further edge of which was lost in misty vagueness. The road was here but crude, and when on the level its boundaries were not so marked, as when it passed through the cuttings; and in a little while I found that I must have strayed from it, for I missed underfoot the hard surface, and my feet sank deeper in the grass and moss. Then the wind grew stronger and blew with ever increasing force, till I was fain to run before it. The air became icy-cold, and in spite of my exercise I began to suffer. The snow was now falling so thickly and whirling around me in such rapid eddies that I could hardly keep my eyes open. Every now and then the heavens were torn asunder by vivid lightning, and in the flashes I could see ahead of me a great mass of trees, chiefly yew and cypress all heavily coated with snow.I was soon amongst the shelter of the trees, and there, in comparative silence, I could hear the rush of the wind high overhead. Presently the blackness of the storm had become merged in the darkness of the night. By-and-by the storm seemed to be passing away: it now only came in fierce puffs or blasts. At such moments the weird sound of the wolf appeared to be echoed by many similar sounds around me.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 363  - Dracula's Guest, Part OneFinally - this podcast is beginning a series of episodes about Bram Stoker's Dracula. First, I am going to delve into - at some detail - what is often felt to be the first chapter of Bram Stoker's Dracula and was first published as "Dracula's Guest” in the short story collection Dracula's Guest and Other Weird Stories (1914). Again, It was believed to have been intended as the first chapter for novel Dracula, but was deleted prior to publication as the original publishers felt it was superfluous to the story.  I will start with some commentary about Dracula's Guest, the first part of the story, and then finish the story - or chapter - or whatever it is - in the following episode.In the preface to the original edition of Dracula's Guest and Other Weird Stories, Stoker's widow Florence wrote, "To his original list of stories in this book, I have added an hitherto unpublished episode from Dracula. It was originally excised owing to the length of the book, and may prove of interest to the many readers of what is considered my husband's most remarkable work."Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 362 - Poetry and DreamsI was looking through articles about Poe to find information for a future article regarding why do so many people read Edgar Allan Poe. And I found some great stuff and certainly will be writing an episode or two about that subject. But I found an article that said that more Americans - almost 3/4 - are familiar with Edgar Poe - more than any other poet.  Shakespeare is second.Now  this was the episode where I wanted to start some episodes on Bram Stoker - but it turns out there is a poetry workshop that is rather time sensitive, so I better get this out now.You see, on Thursday, April 24 there will be a free workshop from the Academy of American Poets online at YouTube - no charge at all, tho I doubt they would turn down donations.  All you need to do is register, and again, it is free. I have the URL on my Buzzsprout transcript and show notes - but in case you can't  remember URLS - I can't - it is https//poets.org/gala/2025 - - again, it is free - all you need to do is register in advance.  The readers include people such as Christine Baranski, Stephen King, Tony Kusher, Fran Lebowitz, and Lawrence O'Donnell - among others.Just wanted to be sure that you got the info about what is called Poetry and the Creative Mind - again, to be held on Thursday, April 24.By the way, Meryl Streep is extremely active in Poetry and the Creative Mind, and has read works by Elizabeth Bishop, Sylvia Plath, and Walt Whitman in programs across multiple years.By the way, poets.org.gala.2025 will take you to the registration page as well.For the rest of this episode, I would like to delve into several of Edgar Poe's poems that deal with dreams.  The three poems are Dreams, A Dream, and A Dream Within a Dream, and Dreamland - and boy, are they easy to mix up.  So take them in order considering the number of words in the title - I know it sounds simplistic but stay with me because it makes things soooo much easier.  And I am not going to include the poem Dreamland until the end of this podcast  - It is (in my opinion, a poem that is in a class by yourself.)Think 1, 2, and 5 - words that is -The title of Dreams is just one word, the title of A Dream is two words, and the title of the shortest and most mature work - A Dream Within a Dream is 5 words. Dreams and A Dream were both published in 1827 and A Dream Within a Dream was published in 1849 - the year of Edgar Poe's earthly demise.Let me say that again - The title of Dreams is just one word, the title of A Dream is two words, and the title of the most mature work - A Dream Within a Dream is 5 words. Dreams and A Dream were both published in 1827 and A Dream Within a Dream was published in 1849.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome 361  Vampires and ReligionNow I was planning to do some Easter theme episodes on Celebrate Poe - yes there is a connection - and looked at the calendar - assuming that Easter took place in March or early April - but I was really surprised to find out that this year Easter takes place on April 20 - one of the latest possible dates for the holiday. Now this is where it really gets into the weeds - tThe timing of Easter is determined by a combination of astronomical and ecclesiastical rules, specifically tied to the lunar calendar and the spring equinox.Apparently, Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox (March 21 in ecclesiastical calculations). This year, the spring equinox occurred on March 20, and the first full moon after that—the "Paschal Full Moon"—is on April 12-13. Since April 13 is a Sunday, Easter is pushed to the following Sunday, April 20 - got that?The lunar cycle, which lasts approximately 29.5 days, can cause significant variation in Easter's date. The range for Easter is between March 22 and April 25, depending on when the Paschal Full Moon occurs relative to the equinox. In 2025, both the equinox and full moon align later than usual, making Easter nearly as late as it can be.  So you have Maundy Thursday - the date when we celebrate The Last Supper on the preceding Thursday, and Christ's crucifixion on Friday.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 360 - Dracula at ChurchWelcome back to Dracula at Church - and if you have not listened to the previous episode, it might really help you to understand some fascinating ideas about the unintended role of vampires in religion.Now the Church's depiction of vampires as demonic entities provided solace to believers by framing these creatures within a Christian moral and spiritual framework, offering both explanations for their  -  and remedies for protection. This approach reassured the faithful in the face of fears surrounding death, evil, and the supernatural.  I guess the Church realized that there would always be a group of people who believed in vampires - so they basically designed a depiction that offered comfort.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 359 - Vampires and the Last SupperWhen I started this podcast, I assumed the topics of the Last Supper and Easter would have nothing to do with anything related to Poe - oh sure, we do have evidence that the Allans attended the Anglican - or Episcopal Church in Richmond - but basically we don't really thing of anything related to religion when we think of Edgar Poe.I know I had said the we would soon delve into Bram Stoker's Dracula - but reality has a way of causing you to change your plans, and so this podcast will be definitely delving into Bram Stoker's Dracula for several episodes next week.  For Easter this year, I did 3 episodes that tied the subject of vampires to the Christian church - and I feel the episodes are very respectful and not at all sacrilegious.And when I first delved into the topic vampires - in preparation for Poe's vampiric stories - I never thought that there would be any connection - however perverted - between, say, communion and vampires.But the more research I did, the more I saw that there was a perverted comparison between the blood demands of a vampire and the truly sacred blood and love of Christ.  Such a comparison offers a fascinating exploration of opposing spiritual and existential themes - of good and evil. Both concepts revolve around the symbolism of blood as a source of life, but they diverge in their purpose and moral implications. And let me apologize in advance - some of the ideas in this podcast might come across as a bit dense and even hard to take, but stick with me.   So the next three podcast episodes will actually deal with Holy Week.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - my name is George Bartley, and this is episode 358 - Pre Dracula 2 or Calling Me By Your Name.The title of this episode - Calling Me By Your Name - is a variation on a phrase -  Call Me By Your Name - taken from the text of a letter written to Walt Whitman by one of Whitman's admirers - none other than Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula.Now remember that Edgar Poe proceeded Bram Stoker, and never specifically used the word vampire in his works, but Poe wrote five stories between 1835 and 1842 that in many ways form the basis for many of his prose works - and all those works deal with the undead.  Those stories are Berenice, Morella, Ligeia, The Fall of the House of Usher, and The Oval Portrait.  In all these tales, Poe writes about the essentially vampiric nature of human relationships - the love that persists beyond the grave. Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 357 - Pre DraculaI promise you that after this and the following episode, I will begin a series of episodes about the big one - at least the big one in the field of vampirism - Bram Stoker's Dracula.  You see, before there was the blood-drinking figure in a black cape, there were reanimated corpses (also known as the “undead”) who caused harm to the living. In Slavic and Germanic traditions, these beings were often blamed for disease, crop failure, or nocturnal attacks. For example, 14th-century chronicles from Bohemia describe an undead shepherd named Myslata who rose from the grave to kill villagers until his body was exhumed and burned. Similarly, various communities buried corpses with hawthorn stakes or steel needles to prevent them from returning.  In a very real sense, belief in vampires - also called revenants - is strangely intertwined with Christianity.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 355 - Poe and VampiresWhile Edgar Allan Poe didn't write about traditional vampires, his exploration of vampiric themes places his work within a broader context of vampiric literature, showcasing the versatility of the concept beyond just blood-drinking monsters.  And hopefully within the next few minutes, Mr. Poe will make an appearance to address that very subject.To begin with, Poe's story "The Fall of the House of Usher," the relationship between Roderick and Madeline Usher has vampiric qualities, with their lives seemingly intertwined in a way that drains both."The Oval Portrait" - also by Poe - features an artist who seems to transfer his wife's life force into his painting, a vampiric act of creation.Poe's story "Morella" explores themes of identity transfer and rebirth, which can be interpreted as a form of vampiric continuation of life.   And those are just three of Poe's vampiric stories.But before this podcast delves into those stories, Celebrate Poe will have several episodes dealing with Bram Stoker's Dracula - and before we tackle the most well-known of all works of vampire literature - I thought it would be appropriate to talk with Mr. Edgar Allan Poe himself about the subject of vampires and briefly touch on their use in his work - and I do want to emphasize the word briefly - because after Easter I intend to - among other things - delve into the use of vampiric elements in more detail in Poe's stories.   By the way, I think I hear the ghost of Mr. Poe now . . .Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 355 - Why All the Fuss About DraculaEpisode 354 should be a relatively short episode - the subject is Stoker's Dracula - and I want to briefly explore some reasons WHY Dracula is considered a great book. But before I start, I am going to be talking about all kinds of aspects of Dracula - and I know some of them are completely new to you - stick with me, and in several episodes, hopefully all this will make sense.The novel unfolds through journals, letters, and newspaper clippings, immersing readers in the characters' perspectives. This epistolary style builds suspense—readers piece together clues alongside the protagonists, heightening tension. Jonathan Harker's early journal entries, for instance, subtly foreshadow Dracula's menace without explicit exposition.Stoker synthesized Eastern European folklore into a cohesive mythos, defining modern vampire traits: aversion to sunlight, shape-shifting, and vulnerability to stakes and garlic. Unlike later romanticized vampires, Dracula is a chilling aristocrat who embodies Victorian fears of foreign invasion and sexual corruption.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 354, Encountering Poe's Ghost RevisitedI looked at the time I have left for podcasts this month, and realized that I had just enough for one more episode - and this will not be a long episode at all.  So I would like to revisit the first episode, and update it a little bit. By the way, this first episode was one of the most listened-to of all 354 episodes of Celebrate Poe.You see, there was a time when one of my favorite things to do was go to the massive Alderman Library at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.  One night I was doing some research at the library using some books that I could not find anywhere else. Just being in that library was always a wonderful experience - seated with towering columns of books all around me- volumes brimming with the knowledge of the ages. I had no idea that in a few minutes I would encounter the Ghost of Edgar Allan Poe!  And I could have never imagined that he would want me to do a podcast!Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - and this is episode 353 - Loathsome Mass of Detestable PutridityHello, my name is George Bartley, and the Ghost of Mr. Poe is here right beside me. I hope you have listened to the previous episode for sections from 5 of Poe's six hoax stories.  But there is one more - a story that is very much a hoax, - not an exploration story or trip to the moon - but a really creepy tale - and today Mr. Poe will read from that story. By the way,  the two words that end the story - loathsome detestable putridity - mean deserving of strong hatred or the state of being putrid.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 352 - Poe's Hoaxes, Part One Being April Fool's day, today I want to look at Poe's six hoax stories - in fact, Edgar Allan Poe approvingly called his time the “epoch of the hoax.” Even though Poe's motives in writing hoaxes may sometimes seem odd or obscure, his hoaxes live on as a quirky and fascinating part of literary history.  After a great deal of thought, I decided to deal with five of the hoax stories in this episode, and a hoax story that could also be classified as a tale of terror in the following episode.  And I plan to release both episodes on April Fool's day - then go much deeper into Poe's hoax stories for the entire month of 2026 - they are some of Poe's most influential writings.  And that is no April Fool's joke.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.