Den purloined Letter av Edgar Allan Poe

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A Synopsis of “The Purloined Letter” by Edgar Allan Poe

The story begins in the home office of private investigator C. Auguste Dupin, while he and his friend, an unnamed narrator, entertain the Prefect of the Paris Police, Monsieur G. The Prefect has come to Dupin again in need of help. Monsieur G has a case which he cannot solve, involving a purloined (stolen) letter. Without hesitation, Dupin is able to tell the Prefect exactly where the letter is, solely based on the description of the case.

According to the Prefect, a young lady (it is implied she is royalty) was in possession of a letter which contained damaging information. As she read it in her suite, an “exalted personage” from whom she wished to hide the letter, and a certain “Minister D”, entered the room. While the letter almost went unnoticed, Minister D saw it and discerned that it contained damning information. The minister switched the letter with a similar one of no consequence, and has since been blackmailing her.

At the direction of this powerful lady, Monsieur G has repeatedly searched every inch of the Minister’s house and office, with no results. Without hesitation Dupin tells the Prefect that the letter is indeed still in the minister's apartment. With a large reward at stake for its return, the Prefect leaves Dupin to go search again. After a month the Prefect returns to Dupin’s and says he cannot find the letter. At which point Dupin produces the letter and explains how he retrieved it.

Knowing the minister, Dupin placed himself in the minister's shoes. He knew that he would keep it close to him and that he was intelligent to know where the police would look for it. Therefore, he hid it in plain sight, slightly disguised as a letter of his own. Dupin then went to speak with the minister, purposely leaving behind his tobacco box, so that he could return. When he did, he had arranged a commotion outside the minister’s window at the same time, so that he could swipe the letter and replace it with another, much like the minister did.

Essential Questions for “The Purloined Letter”

1. What are ways that an author can build suspense?
2. What are the qualities that make a good detective?
3. How does Poe's use of setting, symbolism, personification, and simile impact the story overall?

Don’t Let the Fun Stop There! Check Out Our Other Lesson Plan Ideas

1. By using a storyboard that just depicts the rising action, have students demonstrate how Poe built suspense.
2. Add a presentation to any storyboard project.

Ofte Stilte Spørsmål om The Purloined Letter av Edgar Allan Poe

Hvem er hovedpersonene i «The Purloined Letter»?

Det er tre hovedpersoner i "The Purloined Letter": C. Auguste Dupin, etterforskeren, minister D—, skurken som stjal brevet, og den unge damen (royalty), forfatteren av brevet. Dupin hjelper prefekten som privatetterforsker med å finne det stjålne brevet som ble brukt til å utpresse dronningen.

Hvilken rolle har brevet i fortellingen?

Fordi det inneholder informasjon som kan være skadelig for mottakeren, er brevet viktig. Selv om fortellingen ikke avslører innholdet, står den for autoritet, hemmelighold og evnen til å manipulere mottakeren. Hele fortellingen dreier seg om å finne brevet på grunn av betydelig innhold som er nevnt i det.

Hvilke sentrale ideer er en integrert del av historien?

Fortellingen berører en rekke sentrale ideer, som verdien av intelligens, ideen om skjulte sannheter og bruk av informasjon til egen fordel. Fortellingen utforsker også forestillingen om utseende som bedrager og utpresser.