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Quizzes > Literature & Language > Books & Literature

Edgar Allan Poe Trivia Quiz: How Well Do You Know Poe?

Ready to ace this Poe literature quiz? Dive into Gothic tales and detective fiction!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
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Think you know the master of macabre? Take our free edgar allan poe trivia and see if you can navigate the shadows of his gothic literature trivia and detective fiction quiz challenges. This engaging edgar allan poe quiz invites both lifelong fans and newcomers to explore chilling tales, cryptic clues, and the poetic darkness that made Poe a legend. Unravel the eerie depths of stories like "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Black Cat" as you sharpen your literary instincts in this Poe literature quiz. Fancy an eerie escape into verse? Dare to face the raven quiz for a pulse-pounding peek at his most haunting poem. Jump in now and prove you're a true Poe aficionado!

What year was Edgar Allan Poe born?
1795
1812
1820
1809
Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts. His birth year is well documented in many biographical sources. This date marks the beginning of a life that significantly impacted American literature. Poetry Foundation
Which poem by Poe features a talking bird that repeatedly utters the word "Nevermore"?
Annabel Lee
The Raven
Lenore
The Bells
"The Raven" famously features a mysterious talking bird that croaks "Nevermore" in response to the narrator's questions. It was first published in 1845 and became Poe's best-known poem. The refrain underscores the poem's themes of loss and mourning. Poetry Foundation
What is the title of the short story in which the narrator hides a murder victim's body under the floorboards?
The Black Cat
The Cask of Amontillado
The Pit and the Pendulum
The Tell-Tale Heart
In "The Tell-Tale Heart," the unnamed narrator murders an old man and conceals his body beneath the floorboards. Poe explores themes of guilt and madness as the narrator believes he hears the victim's heart still beating. This story first appeared in 1843. Britannica
Edgar Allan Poe is often credited with inventing which literary genre?
Science fiction
Gothic horror
Romantic drama
Detective fiction
Poe's 1841 story "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" is widely regarded as the first modern detective story, introducing the character C. Auguste Dupin. His work laid the groundwork for detective fiction as a genre. Poe's analytical approach in that tale influenced many future writers. Britannica
Which city was Edgar Allan Poe born in?
Boston
Baltimore
Philadelphia
Richmond
Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1809. His birth is well recorded in Massachusetts archives. Although he lived in several cities during his life, his birthplace remains Boston. Poetry Foundation
What was the title of Poe's poem published posthumously in 1849 about a maiden who died so young she was "loved with a love that was more than love"?
The Raven
Ulalume
Lenore
Annabel Lee
"Annabel Lee" was published shortly after Poe's death in 1849 and reflects on a beautiful young woman whose love transcends death. It is among his most famous late works, exploring themes of eternal love and loss. Poetry Foundation
What was the profession of Poe's foster father, John Allan?
Lawyer
Ship captain
Tobacco merchant
Politician
John Allan was a prosperous tobacco merchant in Richmond, Virginia, who took Poe into his home after the death of Poe's parents. Allan's business success supported Poe's early education, though their relationship later became strained. Britannica
Which short story by Poe centers on a cruel narrator and a cat named Pluto?
The Cask of Amontillado
The Masque of the Red Death
The Gold-Bug
The Black Cat
In "The Black Cat," the narrator abuses his pet cat Pluto before committing more horrific acts. The story explores guilt, superstition, and the descent into madness. It's one of Poe's most famous tales of psychological horror. Britannica
In which publication did Poe's poem "The Raven" first appear in 1845?
Burton's Gentleman's Magazine
Graham's Magazine
Southern Literary Messenger
New York Evening Mirror
"The Raven" made its debut in the New York Evening Mirror on January 29, 1845. The poem quickly gained Poe national fame. Its initial appearance in a prominent newspaper helped cement its popularity. Britannica
Which university did Poe attend but leave due to financial difficulties?
Princeton University
Yale University
Harvard University
University of Virginia
Poe entered the University of Virginia in 1826 but accumulated gambling debts he could not pay. His foster father, John Allan, refused further support, forcing Poe to withdraw after one year. These financial struggles haunted him throughout his life. Britannica
Who is the detective featured in Poe's first detective story, "The Murders in the Rue Morgue"?
Auguste Dupont
Monsieur Allard
C. Auguste Dupin
Sherlock Holmes
C. Auguste Dupin is the brilliant amateur detective introduced in "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" (1841). Dupin's analytical methods influenced the genre and later detectives like Sherlock Holmes. Poe's creation of Dupin is central to his claim as the father of detective fiction. Britannica
Edgar Allan Poe died in which city in 1849?
Baltimore
Richmond
Philadelphia
New York
Poe collapsed on the streets of Baltimore on October 3, 1849, and died at Washington College Hospital on October 7. The exact cause of death remains uncertain, with theories ranging from disease to foul play. Baltimore claims his final days and gravesite. Britannica
In "The Masque of the Red Death", how many colored rooms are in Prince Prospero's abbey?
Five
Ten
Twelve
Seven
Prince Prospero's abbey contains seven rooms, each decorated in a distinct color. The progression of rooms symbolizes stages of life, culminating in the ominous black room. Poe's use of color heightens the story's allegorical impact. Britannica
What was Poe's relationship to Virginia Clemm, whom he married?
His first cousin
His childhood friend
His sister
His neighbor
Edgar Allan Poe married his 13-year-old first cousin, Virginia Clemm, in 1836. Their close familial relationship was socially controversial even in Poe's time. Poe's devotion to Virginia influenced many of his later works. Britannica
Which short story features a narrator obsessed with being buried alive?
The Fall of the House of Usher
The Black Cat
The Premature Burial
The Tell-Tale Heart
"The Premature Burial" (1844) explores the fear of being buried alive, a common phobia in Poe's era. The narrator's anxiety drives him to extreme measures to avoid entombment while still alive. Poe dramatizes Victorian-era concerns about medical misdiagnosis and entombment. Britannica
Which story involves Montresor luring Fortunato into the catacombs for revenge?
The Murders in the Rue Morgue
The Cask of Amontillado
The Pit and the Pendulum
The Black Cat
In "The Cask of Amontillado," Montresor exacts revenge by trapping Fortunato in a wine cellar and walling him in alive. Poe's careful build-up of irony and suspense makes it a classic revenge tale. The use of carnival imagery heightens its chilling effect. Britannica
What year did Poe publish "The Murders in the Rue Morgue"?
1839
1841
1843
1845
"The Murders in the Rue Morgue" was published in Graham's Magazine in April 1841. It's considered the first modern detective story. Poe's use of analytical reasoning set a template for future writers in the genre. Britannica
In "The Tell-Tale Heart", what sound drives the narrator to confess his crime?
The ticking of a clock
A dripping faucet
Footsteps outside
The victim's beating heart
The narrator of "The Tell-Tale Heart" believes he hears the old man's heart still beating beneath the floorboards. This imagined sound of guilt grows unbearable and compels him to confess to the police. Poe masterfully uses psychological tension to drive the plot. Britannica
How many chambers precede the black room in "The Masque of the Red Death"?
Six
Four
Seven
Five
Prince Prospero's abbey contains seven rooms in total. The first six are colored: blue, purple, green, orange, white, and violet, leading to the final black room. The sequence symbolizes stages of life, with the black room representing death. Britannica
Which substance is the narrator of "The Black Cat" addicted to at the start of the story?
Laudanum
Opium
Tobacco
Alcohol
In "The Black Cat," the narrator admits to a descent into alcoholism which fuels his violent and erratic behavior. Poe often depicted alcohol as a destructive force. This addiction is central to the narrator's moral and mental decline. Britannica
Poe's essay "The Philosophy of Composition" describes the method he used to write which poem?
The Bells
Lenore
The Raven
Annabel Lee
"The Philosophy of Composition" (1846) is Poe's famous essay outlining his step-by-step process for writing "The Raven." He details how he focused on effect, meter, and repetition. It's a key text for understanding his artistic principles. Bartleby
Which poem by Poe, first published in 1831, addresses an idealized vision of a classical beauty named Helen?
To Helen
Ulalume
Israfel
Lenore
"To Helen" was published in the March 1831 issue of the North American Review. Poe praised classical beauty and memory in this poem dedicated to Jane Stanard. It reflects his admiration for the idealized image of a muse. Poetry Foundation
Poe served as editor for which Richmond-based literary magazine in 1835?
Southern Literary Messenger
Burton's Gentleman's Magazine
The Stylus
Graham's Magazine
In January 1835, Poe became editor of the Southern Literary Messenger in Richmond. He wrote poetry, fiction, and critical essays there, raising the magazine's profile. His tenure helped establish his reputation as a literary critic. Britannica
Who is the male character suffering from a mysterious illness in "The Fall of the House of Usher"?
William Legrand
Roderick Usher
Montresor
C. Auguste Dupin
Roderick Usher, twin sibling of Madeline Usher, suffers from acute sensitivity of the senses in "The Fall of the House of Usher" (1839). His illness and the decaying mansion create a haunting atmosphere. Poe explores fear and mental collapse through this character. Britannica
In which magazine did "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" make its debut?
The Stylus
Graham's Magazine
Burton's Gentleman's Magazine
Southern Literary Messenger
"The Murders in the Rue Morgue" was first published in Graham's Magazine in April 1841. Under Poe's editorship, the magazine became a venue for his most innovative fiction. This publication cemented Poe's role in creating detective fiction. Britannica
Which famed author credited Poe as an influence in developing the modern detective story?
Charles Dickens
Arthur Conan Doyle
Nathaniel Hawthorne
H. G. Wells
Arthur Conan Doyle openly acknowledged Poe's C. Auguste Dupin as a model for his own detective, Sherlock Holmes. Poe's analytical approach and narrative structure heavily influenced Conan Doyle's work. This lineage underscores Poe's lasting impact on the genre. Britannica
What was the name of the literary journal Poe planned but never successfully launched?
The Pioneer
The Conchologist's First Book
The Raven
The Stylus
After leaving Graham's Magazine, Poe proposed a new journal called The Stylus. He intended it to publish original literature and criticism, but he lacked the funds to launch it. The project's failure marked one of many professional setbacks. Britannica
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Poe's Biography -

    After completing this edgar allan poe trivia quiz, you'll grasp the key events of Poe's life, from his early years to his lasting literary legacy.

  2. Identify Gothic Themes -

    You will recognize central motifs in gothic literature trivia, such as darkness, mystery, and the supernatural common in Poe's works.

  3. Recall Iconic Works -

    You'll be able to recall plot points and characters from Poe's most famous tales, strengthening your edgar allan poe trivia knowledge.

  4. Analyze Detective Fiction Elements -

    Participants will examine Poe's pioneering detective stories, enhancing their understanding through this detective fiction quiz.

  5. Differentiate Literary Genres -

    You will distinguish between Poe's Gothic and detective fiction styles, applying insights from the poe literature quiz format.

  6. Appreciate Poe's Cultural Impact -

    Readers will evaluate Poe's influence on modern storytelling, quizzes, and adaptations after engaging with this edgar allan poe quiz.

Cheat Sheet

  1. From Orphans to Iconic Author -

    Edgar Allan Poe's early life was marked by loss and foster care, shaping the melancholic themes that permeate his work (Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore). Use the "B.E.F." mnemonic - Born in Boston, Enrolled briefly at UVA, Fostered by the Allans - to recall key biographical milestones when tackling edgar allan poe trivia.

  2. The Raven's Haunting Rhythm -

    Poe's "The Raven" employs trochaic octameter (eight stressed-unstressed pairs) to create its hypnotic "DUM-da" beat (University of Virginia). Practice scanning lines aloud - "Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary" - to master its pattern for your gothic literature trivia.

  3. Gothic Symbolism and Atmosphere -

    Key Poe stories like "The Fall of the House of Usher" use decaying architecture and mirrors to symbolize psychological collapse (The Poe Museum). Remember "M.A.D." - Macabre settings, Atmospheric dread, and Darkness - to spot these tropes in any poe literature quiz.

  4. Birth of Detective Fiction -

    "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" (1841) introduced C. Auguste Dupin, laying the groundwork for modern detective stories (American Literature Journal). Use the "DUPIN" acronym - Deduction, Unraveling clues, Puzzle-solving, Investigative flair, Narrative twist - to ace questions in a detective fiction quiz.

  5. Enduring Literary Legacy -

    Poe pioneered not only horror and detective genres but also early science fiction, influencing writers worldwide (JSTOR). For edgar allan poe quiz prep, link his major works - "The Tell-Tale Heart," "Annabel Lee," "The Pit and the Pendulum" - to their central themes of guilt, love, and mortality.

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