Morella by Edgar Allan Poe (1835): A Review

Edgar Allan Poe certainly mastered the art of gothic and horror storytelling, and "Morella" is a classic example of him finding his groove. It's akin to watching a chef finally perfect a soufflé—while the first bite might be a bit odd, soon it becomes a full banquet of terror!

Let's start with our protagonist, Morella. She possesses an impressive intellect, packed with her interest in knowledge of German philosophy and identity—because nothing sparks a dinner party conversation quite like discussions on existential crises! We've seen what happens when anyone gets too profoundly into German philosophy or anything related in Poe's stories. The next thing you know, they're contemplating their life choices and adopting a bleak outlook on the future. It's a classic horror scenario!

Morella also has a fascinating hobby: she loves cozying up in bed with books. Seriously, who among us hasn't thought that the best way to spend the day is by avoiding human interaction and diving into literature? Sure, it may sound a little awkward, but I'd call it "introvert bliss." The twist, though, is that she is teaching her husband all that fascinating philosophy while reading in bed. Nothing awkward here!

A wife teaching her husband? Now that's the absolute horror! As much as we adore reading in bed (and trust me, it's a joy), it's important to acknowledge the downside: physical activity can become a myth in this pursuit of knowledge. If we don't move around, our bodies might start resembling forgotten furniture while our brains overflow with intellectual tidbits. And guess what? Poe sees this scenario and suggests that, yes, you might meet an untimely end!

But how tragic is it if your physical deterioration isn't even the scariest aspect of the story? The horror escalates when Morella gives birth to a daughter who looks just like her, and in classic Poe fashion, and she dies shortly after. Or does she? I won't spoil the ending, but I will say that this tale takes a dark turn worthy of a cinematic scream!

And just a word of caution: naming your child after yourself or your parents might not be the best idea—no pressure, though! After much contemplation, I'd give Poe's "Morella" a solid four stars. It may have taken him a moment to hit his stride, but it was worth the wait to see him blossom into a master of horror and gothic storytelling, as we know him!