Poe/The Business Man
Number of pages:
3
ABSTRACT:
A 3 pages essay that discusses the short story "The Business Man" by Edgar Allan Poe, who was known for his macabre horror stories, but here offers a satirical comment on one of the defining factors of modern life--business. Poe recounts the defining philosophy of business by quoting an "old saying" at the onset of his narrative, which is that "Method is the soul of business." He then has his protagonist emphasize the importance of this philosophical perspective and how "Method is the thing" (Poe). However, while his protagonist, Peter Proffit, assumes the air of a highly successful businessman, and speaks knowledgeably about the importance of methodical business practices, as the story unfolds to reveal him as severely unbalanced and out of touch with reality. By having Proffit, a raving lunatic, espouse the standard business philosophy of the day, Poe underscores that modern business is overly concerned with practice and stifles ingenuity and creativity, that is, the men whom Proffit disparaging labels as "geniuses." Bibliography lists 2 sources.
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