Introduction: The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe, Review
Edgar Allan Poe: The Purloined Letter
The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe is a short story that I found at American Literature. Early this year, I read a blog post, and in it the blogger commented that reading a short story each day helped to improve his writing. As a writer, there is always room for improvement, so that I can become better at my craft.
But, the reason for reading the short stories is that they present opportunities for me to practice my speed reading drills, while getting access to works by a variety of writers.
If you use a speed reading bookmarklet to read the story, you can complete it in eight minutes or less. Or if you read it the regular way, it will take you about 35 minutes.
Have you read?
The Lady or the Tiger by Frank Stockton
The Model Millionaire by Oscar Wilde, Review
Read a Short Story Every Day – A Dark Mirror by Arthur Quiller-Couch
What is The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe About?
While I was reading The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe, the story and the characters reminded me of the Sherlock Holmes stories. The unnamed narrator is in the company of his friend, C. Auguste Dupin in a small library in the apartment, each with his own thoughts. The narrator is ruminating on the murder of Marie Rogt, which they had discussed earlier, when Monsieur G, Prefect of the Parisian police, an old friend, throws open the apartment door and enters.
After putting all the pleasantries aside, Monsieur G explains that he has a simple, yet odd situation that he needs a perspective on. It is believed that Minister D, who holds a very high position, has stolen an important letter from the royal apartment. While in the royal apartment, he notices the address on the letter and recognizes the handwriting so he switches the letter.
The letter’s owner does not say anything because a third party is present, and not wanting to create a scene keeps quiet. Minister D is also not someone you want to challenge, but more importantly, simply possessing the letter, gives him power, which he is using for political purposes.
The person who has lost the letter is asking Monsieur G to retrieve it for her. It is a tricky situation because the Parisian police cannot simply approach Minister D and ask him to return the letter, so they have to find another way to retrieve it – they have to use subterfuge. Monsieur G has searched every place that the robber could have hidden the letter, but has been unable to retrieve it so far. He has also created situations where he could search Minister D without creating suspicion, but the letter is never on his person. Monsieur G is puzzled because it is a simple matter, yet he cannot solve it.
The case is confidential, so the police officer has to be very discreet, which limits who he can speak to about the case. He trusts Dupin and the narrator completely and knows that they will not betray his trust. He discloses everything about the case to them, they in turn ask him questions, which he answers honestly. They conclude that the letter has to be in the Minister’s apartment even though the Parisian officer has done a thorough search, opening parcels, looking through all the books in the library, lifting the carpet and examining the boards, all to no avail.
Monsieur G leaves his two friends feeling quite depressed about his inability to solve a simple crime. A month later, he visits his friends again at their apartment. Dupin asks the police officer about the reward for finding the letter, but not wanting to disclose the amount, Monsieur G responds that he would write an individual check for 50,000 francs to anyone who finds the letter.
After some small talk, Dupin tells the officer to fill out the check for the specified amount and he will hand him the letter. Monsieur looks at the letter and is so happy to solve the case that he asks no questions and runs through the door without saying a word.
After Monsieur G’s swift departure, the reader learns, in true Sherlock Holmes style, how Dupin finds the letter. He explains that the reason why the police failed in their search for the letter is that they were searching places where they personally would have hidden the letter – no ingenuity comes into play. Dupin knows Minister D, and after gathering the information from Monsieur G, he spends some time reflecting on it to figure out where the politician would likely place the letter. He visits the Minister one morning wearing green glasses, and during their conversation complains of having weak eyes, suggesting that he cannot see very well. All during the time there, he is looking at possible hiding spots for the letter.
He eventually spots the letter. The crafty Minister dirties the appearance of the letter, so that others will think that it is unimportant during a search. Dupin bids goodbye to his host, deliberately leaving behind his gold snuff-box. The next morning he visits the Minister again, but under the guise of retrieving his snuff-box. Prior to entering the home, he pays someone to create a diversion. When the disturbance happens, the Minister goes to the window to see what is happening, and during those precious seconds, Dupin switches the letter.
Final Thoughts: The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe
The big lessons in The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe are that things are not always what they seem, so expect the unexpected; and that when you are confronted with problems, have different approaches to solving them. Investigate how others who are different from you would solve the problems.
Edgar Allan Poe: The Purloined LetterEdgar Allan Poe: Complete Tales and PoemsThe Complete Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe (Signet Classics)Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe (Barnes & Noble Omnibus Leatherbound Classics) (Barnes & Noble Leatherbound Classic Collection)The Best of Poe: The Tell-Tale Heart, The Raven, The Cask of Amontillado, and 30 OthersEdgar Allan Poe: Complete Tales and Poems with Selected EssaysEdgar Allan Poe Coffee Mug – Poe's Most Famous Quotes and Writings – Comes in a Fun Gift Box – by The Unemployed Philosophers Guild
