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Mary Romney
Andrea Strand
Jessica Walton
ENG 252-02
Brother Murdock
1 February 2012
Grant Proposal;
Art Therapy, Does It Help?
The Problem
Art is a way to escape, connect, and accept the world and its difficulties. Individually
readers identify with art for it speaks of similar hardships and problems faced in daily life.
However, if exposed for a long length of time art can influence the way one acts, thinks, and
lives. This can cause depression and insecurity to develop. Doctors and therapists have recently
applied the use of art in their practices. Through paint and poetry, they are able to connect with
mentally distraught patients who having suffered traumatizing events, such as death, accidents,
and rape. Although this is a fairly new practice used by therapeutics, this practice has been alive
for centuries. Artists have used the written word as a way to relieve and manage their own
hardships. Nevertheless, does art really heal the artist or could it worsen and accelerate their
condition if done improperly? Should the practice of art therapy be even used if such is the case?
Research Paper
Most are familiar with the works and life of Edgar Allan Poe. Having led a hard life filled
with depression, disease, and death, Poe has shown the world that stories do not always have
happy endings. Some of his works such as The Fall of the House of Usher, The Raven, and The
Red Death reflect death, madness and despair. This begs the question, “Is this how the Poe feels
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about life, about himself?” They appear to reflect the chaos and turmoil that he experienced in
his life, from the loss not only of his mother while in childhood, but also his older brother,
William in 1831, and later, his wife and cousin Virginia in 1847. To ease his suffering Poe
turned to many outlets from drinking to gambling, and poetry to short stories. We will explore
Poe’s lifestyle, the people he associated with and then analyze the relationship between his
writings to the high and low points of his life. Through research, we will answer the following
questions: Did he die because of the effect from his works or were his works an outlet of
expressing pent-up emotions caused by negative experiences?
The process of actual research will include individual study of specific topics which
include, but not limited to, Poe’s life and history, the people that influenced his life, and the
lifestyle he lived. We will next determine if his writings helped vent his feelings, stabilized his
mental state or add a shovel to his ever deepening depression. We will be using a number of
sources for our research such as biographies, articles, and electronic journals written by experts,
and books on social behavior and psychology. In the end, each of us will have a certain number
of sources found either online or at the McKay library. The research paper itself may vary
between eight to ten double-spaced pages in MLA format not including the annotated
bibliography. The length of the annotated bibliography is yet to be determined based on the fact
that all research is of yet to be completed.
Group Capabilities
We have included qualifying information that shows us worthy to research this subject.
Mary has completed an Advanced Research and Literary Analysis class as well as a Theory and
Practice of Language. Therefore she is well qualified for the research and writing involved in this
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paper. Mary and Andrea also have taken a psychology class previously. Having this background
is advantageous in our research for we can draw on their knowledge of how people think to
better understand Poe's motives in his life and writings. Andrea has taken a literature class
therefore she is familiar with the works of Edgar Allan Poe as well as other signature writers of
literature. She has also taken Family History Research and Library Research skills. She is aware
of the work involved and how to navigate sources such as PSTOR and ProQuest to find
legitimate information. Jessica has written a number of papers which involved hours of research
and editing. One paper took her approximately two months to research, prepare, and write. This
paper turned into a presentation that she promptly presented to the Board of Education in South
Pasadena, California for a grade at the end of her senior year of high school. She wants to minor
in professional writing, therefore writing and editing comes naturally.
Estimated Cost
We estimate that it will take our team approximately 30 hours of researching. Then 30
hours spent on reading through various materials and making note of important points. 40 hours
spent on bringing our research together and recording our findings into an organized,
distinguished paper. This will either prove that Poe’s depression/depressing background was
used in his writing as a source of relief, or that his works contributed to his early demise. Finally,
time taken to edit and review, we estimate roughly 48 hours. The total time involved,
approximately 108 hours.
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Assignments
Hours
Due Dates
Researching
30
1/23, 1/25, 1/27, 1/30, 2/1
Reading
30
1/23, 1/25, 1/27, 1/30, 2/1
Writing individual segments of Grant Proposal
40
2/6, 2/8, 2/10, 2/13
Editing
40
2/6, 2/8, 2/10, 2/13, 2/15
Peer Review
5
1/27, 1/30, 2/1, 2/13
Final Draft
3
2/15
Total Hours
108
The Solution
Art is one outlet we use to escape, connect, and accept the world and its difficulties.
Throughout history, artists have used the written word as a way to relieve and manage their
problems. Today doctors and therapists have encouraged patients to express their emotions
through different mediums. We propose to prove that art is a therapeutic device for mentally,
troubled individuals. By researching Edgar Allan Poe’s case we can prove the benefits of writing
in the face of depression.
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Art Therapy, Does It Help?
An Annotated Bibliography
Bisco, John. The Broadway Journal. 1845-1846. Print.
The Broadway Journal had a number of articles on Edgar Allan Poe that prove worthy of
research when looking through his life and what people thought of him. These articles
were written by people during his lifetime and knew a lot about him, perhaps personally.
It is useful to have the opinions of these people.
Bloomfield, Shelley Costa. The Everything Guide to Edgar Allan Poe: The Life, Times, and
Work of a Tormented Genius. Adams Media: Massachusetts. 2001. Print. 31 Jan 2012.
Takes a look at Poe’s life and what the time period was like when he lived. Also looks at
his various literary works and how they contributed to his life. Focuses on life-altering
events that influenced his life.
Cohen, Sheldon and Harry M. Hoberman. “Positive Events and Social Supports as Buffers of
Life Change Stress.” Journal of Applied Social Psychology. 13.2. April 1983: 99-125.
Print. 31 Jan 2012
A study of the benefits of social support and positive events versus the negative effects of
stress and depression. These factors help to reduce stress in individuals with high-stress
lives, while no affect was found in those with low-stress lives. A case that strives to prove
that social support extends life, instead of shortening it.
Science News. DID RABIES FELL EDGAR ALLAN POE? EBSCOhost, 2 Nov. 1996. Web. 24
Jan 2012.
This site concludes that Edgar Allan Poe most likely died of rabies. Rabies is a viral
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disease of the central nervous system. R. Michael Benitez determines that Poe’s
symptoms were not of alcohol withdrawal but similar to rabies.
Edgar Allan Poe Articles. Baltimore Sun. Print.
Baltimore Sun is a journal that has a number of works dealing with Poe and his life. It is
useful when researching. It is a good way to see what others had to say about Poe’s
writings. There are articles that deal with his life and his mental state.
Edgar Allan Poe News. The New York Times Print.
The New York Times also has a history of articles about Poe. There are some during his
life and this would show just what people were saying about him while he was
publishing. The articles are from elite and highly though of people during this time. They
were the experts on written work.
Encyclopædia Britannica. Edgar Allan Poe. Encyclopædia Britannica Online Academic Edition.
Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2012. Web. 24 Jan 2012.
This site provides a short synopsis of Poe’s life. It gives details into who he worked for
as an editor until he was fired from his job in Richmond for drinking. “Drinking was in
fact to be a bane in his life.” When his wife Virginia died in January of 1847, he
remarried to Elmira Royster two years later. According to this source Poe was a twosided person. “With those he loved he was gentle and devoted…Others…found him
irritable and self-centered” He was very attentive to detail.
Hoffman, Daniel. "EDGAR ALLAN POE (1809-1849)." Encyclopedia of American Poetry: The
Nineteenth Century. Ed. Eric L. Haralson and John Hollander. Chicago; London: Fitzroy
Dearborn, 1998. 536. Print.
This is a short biography of Edgar Allan Poe. It highlights the important events in his life
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like the death of his parents, the marriage of Virginia Cleme, and when he wrote his most
well-known works. According to this source, drinking was the reason for his death.
Ingram, John Henry. Edgar Allan Poe: His Life, Letters, and Opinions. London: W. H. Allan,
1886. Google Books Search. Web. 24 Jan. 2012.
This is a full biography of Edgar Allan Poe. In it there is a background on his parents;
what they did, their deaths and how they influenced Poe as a boy. Also the relationship of
Poe and his adopted father, John Allan. It includes a detailed report on his boyhood,
youth and education.
Jonk, Ron. "Edgar Allan Poe Mystery." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of
Maryland Medical Center, 12 Mar. 2008. Web. 22 Jan. 2012.
This is a medical article identifying Poe’s cause of death. The doctors at the University
of Maryland Medical Center believe that Edgar Allan Poe may have died as a result of
rabies. “According to historical accounts at first he was delirious with tremors and
hallucinations, then slipped into a coma. He emerged from the coma, was calm and
lucid, but then lapsed again into a delirious state, became combative, and required
restraint. He died on his fourth day in the hospital.” According to the doctor reviewing
the case, Dr. Benitez, in the final stages of rabies, it is common for people to have periods
of confusion. He could have gotten the rabies from being bitten by one of his pets.
Edgar Allan Poe Biography and Works. Literature Online - N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2012.
Literature Online also has a bibliography of Poe that is useful for research on his life. It
gives a detailed summary of his life and what he did. It tells of his life and his family;
how he grew up.
Merriman, C. D. Edgar Allan Poe Bibliography. Web.
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This website has a bibliography of Edgar Allan Poe that is a wonderful way to quickly,
but thoroughly look at his life. Like the other bibliography, it gives detail about Poe’s life
and how he lived. It gives examples of why he had depression and the things he went
through.
Poe, Edgar. Complete Tales and Poems. N.p.: Doubleday, 1984. Print.
This book has all of Poe’s most famous works. By reading these, we can understand how
brilliant and disturbed he was. He was a genius and a brilliant writer, which is obvious
through reading any one of these stories or poems. Through actually reading his work, it
is easy to see why people thought of him as disturbed.
Quinn, Arthur Hobson. Edgar Allan Poe, A Critical Biography. Appleton-Century. New York,
1941. Print.
Not only about his life, but educated guesses of the mind of Edgar Allan Poe. Takes a
deeper look at what could have happened if Poe had made different decisions, for
example, producing and editing a magazine which features the best American literature
during his time period – how different would his life had been? Would he have become
more of a success?
Seeman, Teresa E. “Social Ties and Health: The Benefits of Social Integration.” Annals of
Epidemiology. 6.5. September 1996: 442-51. Print.
Looks at social integration and its effects on a person’s health. With a good social
environment, an individual shows reduced mortality risks and a more positive state of
mental health. Though there is no clear evidence to show physical improvement, there is
proof that social integration leads to a better functioning person and a longer life span.
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Sova, Dawn B. Edgar Allan Poe A to Z: The Essential Reference to His Life and Work. Facts on
File, Inc. New York, 2001. Print.
Lists Poe’s various literary works (includes stories, poems, and articles), as well as what
events were occurring in Poe’s life at the time these works were published. This book is a
detailed timeline of Poe’s life. It also includes descriptions of his future wife/cousin
Virginia’s life.
Sova, Dawn B. "Part I: Biography." Critical Companion to Edgar Allan Poe: A Literary
Reference to His Life and Work. Illustrated ed. Infobase, 2007. 3-11. Google Books
Search. Web. 24 Jan 2012.
This is another short biography of Edgar Allan Poe. The most interesting part in the
biography is the description of Edgar’s mother’s death. “she and her children were living
in a poorly heated room, with straw on the floor for their beds; the three children were
with her as she died and were found huddling close to their dead mother.” Not only was
Edgar and his siblings traumatized by her death but also having to be separated and sent
to live with different families.
The Museum of Edgar Allan Poe. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2012.
This is an online website that allows you to browse through Poe’s life and works. It has
illustrations and pictures that demonstrate Poe’s life, the way he looked, and how things
were during his lifetime. This is very useful because having imagery helps see more
clearly the life that Poe led.
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Walen, Heather R. and Margie E. Lachman. “Social Support and Strain from Partner, Family,
and Friends: Costs and Benefits for Men and Women in Adulthood.” Journal of Social
and Personal Relationships. 17.1. February 2000: 5-30. Print.
This article examines the relationship between social support and psychological wellbeing. It shows how different relationships can help turn a negative life into a positive
life. It looks at the relationships of partners, friends, and family and its psychological
effect on an individual.
"Who Is Edgar Allan Poe?" Edgar Allan Poe Museum : Poe's Life, Legacy, and Works :
Richmond, Virginia. Poe Museum, 2010. Web. 22 Jan 2012.
This source comes from “The Museum of Edgar Allan Poe.” It is another short summary
of his life. One thing to make note of is that while studying at the University of Virginia
he excelled in his classes but accumulated a considerable amount of debt because his
adoptive father did not provide enough money for tuition. He was so poor that he had to
burn his own furniture to keep warm.
Woodberry, George Edward. The Life of Edgar Allan Poe, personal and literary; with his chief
correspondence with men of letters. Bilblo and Tannen. New York, 1965. Print.
A closer study of Poe’s life, which include personal letters addressed to friends and
family from Poe. This biography helps others to become more familiar with Poe’s
character, as wells as a first-hand account to how his life was like. It also gives an inside
look into Poe’s writing style to others versus his literary works.