Timeline

Poe works out the nature of the universe through challenges to interpretation.

Aristotle, “On Interpretation”  

  • The Folio Club1832
    “... to abolish Literature, subvert the Press, and overturn the Government of Nouns and Pronouns.”
  • Hans Phaall1835
    Parallelism and doubling.
  • Autography 11836
    Joseph <variable> Miller.
  • Autography 21836
    Joseph <variable> Miller writes.
  • Arthur Gordon Pym1837-8
    Self-cancellation.
  • The Man that was Used Up1839
    The hoax explains itself.
  • Ciphers in Alexander’s Weekly Messenger1839-40

    “Enigmatical and Conundrum-ical”, December 18, 1839

    "Enigmatical", January 15, 1840

    “Another Poser”, January 22, 1840

    “Yet Another Poser,” January 29, 1840

    “Still Another [Poser]”, February 5, 1840

    Our Late Puzzles, February 12, 1840

    “Our Puzzles - Again!”, February 19, 1840

    “More of the Puzzles”, February 26, 1840

    “Our Puzzles Once More”, February 26, 1840

    “More of the Puzzles”, March 4, 1840

    “[[Solution to a Cypher]]”, March 4, 1840

    “Puzzles Again!”, March 11, 1840

    “Puzzles Again!”, March 25, 1840

    "Cyphers", April 8, 1840

    "Cyphers Again", April 22, 1840

    "Changing Seats", April 22, 1840

    "Cyphers", April 29, 1840

    "Changing Seats", May 6, 1840

  • Autography 31841
    Author-texts.
  • Autography 41841
    Author-texts.
  • The Murders in the Rue Morgue1841
    How to interpret a hoax (“ratiocination” 1).
  • Secret Writing in Graham's Magazine1841

    “A Few Words on Secret Writing”, July 1841

    "Secret Writing", January 15, 1840

    “Secret Writing”, January 22, 1840

    “Secret Writing,” January 29, 1840

    “Still Another [Poser]”, February 5, 1840

    Our Late Puzzles, February 12, 1840

    “Our Puzzles - Again!”, February 19, 1840

    “More of the Puzzles”, February 26, 1840

    “Our Puzzles Once More”, February 26, 1840

    “More of the Puzzles”, March 4, 1840

    “[[Solution to a Cypher]]”, March 4, 1840

    “Puzzles Again!”, March 11, 1840

    “Puzzles Again!”, March 25, 1840

    "Cyphers", April 8, 1840

    "Cyphers Again", April 22, 1840

    "Changing Seats", April 22, 1840

    "Cyphers", April 29, 1840

    "Changing Seats", May 6, 1840

  • Autography 51842
    Author-texts.
  • The Mystery of Marie Rogêt1842
    How to interpret a hoax (“ratiocination” 2).
  • The Gold-Bug1843
    How to interpret a hoax (“ratiocination” 3).
  • The Purloined Letter1844
    “I wonder, for my part, you do not perceive at once that the letter — the document — is intrinsically — is astronomically true — and that it carries upon its very face the evidence of its own authenticity.” (Poe as Dupin)
  • Eureka1848
    What word does one shout upon resolving a hoax?