The Philosophy of Composition

Poe uses hyperbole or exaggeration to strengthen his argument that the process of literary creation is not spontaneous but follows a method that involves careful analysis. Poe wants to demonstrate that this method can be explained, that it is logical, and that it involves going backward from a desired effect. His description of the method he followed when writing “The Raven” is an example of hyperbole, since it is unlikely that writing the poem was as systematic as he described after the fact, and since there are no external indications that Poe followed such a method. The hyperbole helps Poe argue against the idea that literary works are the result of unexplainable and mysterious inspiration.

Poe presents an argument to convince the reader of his point of view. He argues that a poem is not the result of inspiration but of a process of analysis and a method that involves consideration of how elements of the poem contribute to an effect. To prove his thesis, Poe presents evidence: his account of the creative activity, which is presented in such a way as to appear as the result of a methodical process.