“It was a dreary night while I thought, weak and weary”: one of the most famous and well-known lines of poetry. But why are readers so drawn to this line? And who is the man behind the creation of this work of art? Edgar Allan Poe. Poe's literary works have been globally recognized for their ability to draw in the reader and invoke dark emotions in every reader. Edgar Allan Poe himself experienced many hardships throughout his life, including the deaths of his wife and mother. Poe struggled with alcoholism, depression, and drug addiction, which contributed to his ability to connect with readers from any point on the spectrum of hardship. Poe's experiences helped him and his works attract readers, but he was also naturally gifted with an extraordinary ability to write tantalizing short stories and poetry. Edgar Allan Poe used many literary techniques such as irony and other poetic effects to exploit the inner dark side of man and arouse feelings of suspense, revenge, and melancholy. There are many reasons why Poe's poetry and short stories appeal to the reader. For example, the reader may be able to connect with Poe in the deaths of loved ones. Maybe that’s the plot of the stories. Or the psychological relationship that Poe creates between the reader and his literary works. Many people rarely like to talk about their "dark side", but Poe embraces the dark side of every person and taps into the feelings of hatred, revenge, murder and despair (Camila). He skillfully uses negative events to create his stories. Each poem and short story acts as a suspenseful roller coaster for the reader to enjoy. Before going into a detailed analysis of Poe's literary techniques, it is important to understand that the bi...... middle of paper ...... old man's heart, ultimately leading the narrator to collapse and madness (Hemsworth). This story was diverse and a bit controversial at the time it was written, but again, Poe finds the right words to create that feeling of tension and suspense in every reader. Edgar Allan Poe is a source of inspiration for every American writer today. Even though Edgar Allan Poe had a depressing life, there is so much that any devout writer can learn from. His techniques are something to admire and learn from, and his skillful use of literary devices such as irony in The Cask of Amontillado, repetition in "The Raven" and the creation of suspense in The Tell-Tale Heart are all things who helped develop the American writer into the figure he is today. His themes such as revenge, death and the use of the color red are examples of Poe's written genius..