Table of Contents
- 1 Where is the detective from in The Purloined Letter?
- 2 Is The Purloined Letter a successful detective story Why or why not?
- 3 What does so baneful a scheme if not worthy of Atreus is worthy of Thyestes mean?
- 4 What do you think Poe was trying to tell his readers by using the opening Seneca quote?
- 5 How does the Mystery of Marie Roget end?
Where is the detective from in The Purloined Letter?
France
Lesson Summary ‘The Purloined Letter’ is the third detective story Edgar Allan Poe wrote. It stars C. Auguste Dupin, a detective from France. In the story, a letter goes missing and is being used to blackmail an unnamed woman.
Is The Purloined Letter a successful detective story Why or why not?
This requires active participation from the reader and very clever writing from the author. Therefore, “The Purloined Letter” definitely reunites effective techniques in storytelling and suspense that makes it a very successful story in its kind.
What is the crime in The Purloined Letter?
“The Purloined Letter” begins with a description by the unnamed narrator of one evening in the “autumn of 18——”at C. Auguste Dupin’s home in Paris. Both men are sitting silent, smoking, and the narrator is recalling two mysteries that Dupin previously solved—the murders in the Rue Morgue and the murder of Marie Roget.
What does so baneful a scheme if not worthy of Atreus is worthy of Thyestes mean?
Dupin’s note inside the phony letter, translated “So baneful a scheme, if not worthy of Atreus, is worthy of Thyestes,” suggests the rivalry that accompanies brotherly minds. Dupin implies here that Thyestes deserves more punishment than Atreus because he commits the original wrong.
What do you think Poe was trying to tell his readers by using the opening Seneca quote?
3.1. With this quote Seneca wants to express, that, even wisdom has its limits. Wise man, also called philosophers, always declared that they know everything and that there is no one who can fool them.
What is the role of the narrator in the story The Purloined Letter?
“The Purloined Letter” is told in the first person, by an unnamed narrator, who doesn’t participate directly in any of the story’s major action. This narrator is Dupin’s roommate, and he also narrates the other two Dupin tales of detection. In fact, the narrative structure of “Letter” is unusual, even for Poe.
How does the Mystery of Marie Roget end?
The details surrounding the case suggested she was murdered. The death of this well-known woman received national attention for weeks. Months later, the inquest still ongoing, her fiancé was found dead, an act of suicide. By his side, a remorseful note and an empty bottle of poison were found.