La lettera rubata di Edgar Allan Poe

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A Synopsis of “The Purloined Letter” by Edgar Allan Poe

The story begins in the home office of private investigator C. Auguste Dupin, while he and his friend, an unnamed narrator, entertain the Prefect of the Paris Police, Monsieur G. The Prefect has come to Dupin again in need of help. Monsieur G has a case which he cannot solve, involving a purloined (stolen) letter. Without hesitation, Dupin is able to tell the Prefect exactly where the letter is, solely based on the description of the case.

According to the Prefect, a young lady (it is implied she is royalty) was in possession of a letter which contained damaging information. As she read it in her suite, an “exalted personage” from whom she wished to hide the letter, and a certain “Minister D”, entered the room. While the letter almost went unnoticed, Minister D saw it and discerned that it contained damning information. The minister switched the letter with a similar one of no consequence, and has since been blackmailing her.

At the direction of this powerful lady, Monsieur G has repeatedly searched every inch of the Minister’s house and office, with no results. Without hesitation Dupin tells the Prefect that the letter is indeed still in the minister's apartment. With a large reward at stake for its return, the Prefect leaves Dupin to go search again. After a month the Prefect returns to Dupin’s and says he cannot find the letter. At which point Dupin produces the letter and explains how he retrieved it.

Knowing the minister, Dupin placed himself in the minister's shoes. He knew that he would keep it close to him and that he was intelligent to know where the police would look for it. Therefore, he hid it in plain sight, slightly disguised as a letter of his own. Dupin then went to speak with the minister, purposely leaving behind his tobacco box, so that he could return. When he did, he had arranged a commotion outside the minister’s window at the same time, so that he could swipe the letter and replace it with another, much like the minister did.

Essential Questions for “The Purloined Letter”

1. What are ways that an author can build suspense?
2. What are the qualities that make a good detective?
3. How does Poe's use of setting, symbolism, personification, and simile impact the story overall?

Don’t Let the Fun Stop There! Check Out Our Other Lesson Plan Ideas

1. By using a storyboard that just depicts the rising action, have students demonstrate how Poe built suspense.
2. Add a presentation to any storyboard project.

Domande Frequenti Sulla Lettera Rubata di Edgar Allan Poe

Chi sono i personaggi principali di “The Purloined Letter”?

Ci sono tre protagonisti principali in "The Purloined Letter": C. Auguste Dupin, l'investigatore, il ministro D—, il cattivo che ha rubato la lettera, e la giovane donna (reale), l'autore della lettera. Dupin aiuta il prefetto come investigatore privato a ritrovare la lettera rubata che veniva utilizzata per ricattare la regina.

Che ruolo ha la lettera nella narrazione?

Poiché include informazioni che potrebbero essere dannose per il destinatario, la lettera è importante. Sebbene la narrazione non riveli il suo contenuto, rappresenta l’autorità, la segretezza e la capacità di manipolare il destinatario. L'intera narrazione ruota attorno al ritrovamento della lettera a causa dei contenuti significativi in ​​essa menzionati.

Quali idee centrali sono parte integrante della storia?

La narrazione tocca una serie di idee centrali, come il valore dell'intelligenza, l'idea delle verità nascoste e l'uso delle informazioni a proprio vantaggio. La narrazione esplora anche il concetto di sguardi ingannevoli e ricattatori.