Poe and Minstrelsy – Dylan Melchior

Thesis Statement:

The Eccentricity of “A Predicament,” Edgar Allan Poe weaves a tapestry of minstrel elements that serve as more than mere ornamental facets, acting as integral components that underscore themes of societal critique, grotesque humor, and the absurd.

Introduction

Edgar Allan Poe is an iconic figure in the realm of American literature, even if he wasn’t at the time, but that’s the story of an artist, isn’t it? He often delved into the realms of the macabre, mysterious, and enigmatic in his works. Among his long list of work is one that has stuck with me since reading it called “A Predicament”. I think it stood out to me so much because I had just finished a class last semester about the Musical Theatre History. Lesson one in the class was that everything we do is rooted in racism. In this case, Musical Theatre is rooted in the American Minstrels. We’re going to go on an in-depth analysis and see just how much Edgar Allan Poe was influenced by this popular art form of his time, and though it was popular across America, it was especially popular in the south. We’re going to look at how these elements contribute to the narrative’s thematic depth and overall impact.

Setting the Stage:

In an era characterized by societal transformation and evolving cultural dynamics, the concept of minstrelsy emerges as a complex and very contentious art form. Edgar Allan Poe is a genius at observing human nature and societal peculiarities, I’m willing to say that he most likely inspired James Joyce, and that’s a lot of human nature and societal peculiarities. I think he employs the minstrel elements as a lens to scrutinize and satirize the absurdities and contradictions prevalent in Poe’s society at the time.

Before delving too deep into this, we have a few things to discuss. It is crucial to acknowledge Poe’s habitual desire for the unconventional and the grotesque, but we’ve spent the whole semester discussing that. Along with that, what is a minstrelsy? It’s a form of entertainment steeped in racial caricatures and stereotypes. These performances, predominantly featuring white actors in blackface, were popularized across America, reflecting and perpetuating societal prejudices and perceptions of race, often through music, dance, and comedy. It’s actually where we get the shuffle from. There’s a lot more to it, but that’s enough to get you through this. Through the bizarre predicament faced by the protagonist, the narrative unravels in a series of absurd events that mirror the nonsensical nature of existence. Amidst this chaotic backdrop, Poe strategically weaves minstrel elements, utilizing them as tools to both entertain and critique the societal norms prevalent during his time. I think that Pompey might be a combination of the Uncle and Sambo caricatures in Minstrelsy. I think this is interesting to think about, because the two aren’t necessarily related in appearance or personality. I think that might be the first evidence of Poe already seeing that society constantly trying to draw hard lines, but in reality there aren’t any.

Citations:

Images:

“Family, Parenting, PET and Lifestyle Tips That Bring Us Closer Together.” LittleThingscom, littlethings.com/. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.

“The Tom Caricature.” Jim Crow Museum, jimcrowmuseum.ferris.edu/tom/homepage.htm. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.

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