Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849), the father of the modern mystery, was born in Boston on January 19, 1809.

The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe (published 1839)

Poe wrote quite a few gothic stories about murder, revenge, torture, the plague, being buried alive, and insanity. Many modern books and movies have "borrowed" ideas from Poe. Some of Poe's stories were not well accepted in his day because people were just not ready for them- they were too scary.

The Masque of the Red Death The Raven The Tell Tale Heart The Fall of the House of Usher The Cask of Amontillado

Words we want to know agitate- anxious or upset enlarge to make bigger physician a doctor alter to change something overwhelm overwhelming 1. too much or too difficult to deal with 2. affecting someone very strongly oblige obliged (past) to feel that it is your duty to do someting gloom a feeling of sadness or no hope wound an injury, especially a deep cut vacant empty bizarre very strange reluctantly reluctant unwilling or slow to do something cloak cloaked (past) to wear or cover something fling flung (past) to throw or move something very quickly with a lot of force servant someone who works for someone else in their home gesture gestured (past) to move your head, arm or hand to tell someone something

anxiety strong feeling of worry Before the big test, I feel anxiety. Snakes fill her with anxiety.

After the man lost his job, he was full of despair. strong feeling of being very unhappy and having no hope After the man lost his job, he was full of despair.

PECULIAR STRANGE; ODD I THINK IT’S PECULIAR WHEN ___________________.

GENERATION All of the people of about the same age in a family ___________ are part of my generation.

Utter To speak or make a sound from your mouth Words I might utter in fear are ...

Getting ready for a test takes a lot of mental energy. having to do with your mind Getting ready for a test takes a lot of mental energy.

Her haircut was very bizarre. very strange Her haircut was very bizarre.

The teacher removed the answers from the board. to take something away The teacher removed the answers from the board.

A movie is depressing when the main character dies. making you feel sad A movie is depressing when the main character dies.

A sudden gust of strong wind blew his hat off of his head. gusts sudden, strong movements of wind A sudden gust of strong wind blew his hat off of his head.

To wait around The wolves…….. linger To wait around The wolves……..

vault an underground chamber We carried the casket down to the vault which lay deep under the house.

The house on the corner has been vacant for several months. empty The house on the corner has been vacant for several months.

I saw a sickly smile quivering on his lips. shaking I saw a sickly smile quivering on his lips.

The leaves on the tree tremble when the wind blows. to shake The leaves on the tree tremble when the wind blows.