The Quietus on Edgar Allan Poe and Eminem

Lewis G. Parker at The Quietus recently wrote a strange, but unusual piece comparing the literary works of Edgar Allan Poe with rapper Eminem's violent tunes. At first glance, one may recoil in horror, depending on cultural perspectives, at a founding father of the weird being compared with a contemporary musician who has produced some exceedingly controversial lyrics. Understandable. However, it would be a mistake to let the subject's shocking audacity or one's perspective on a living rapper prevent them from reading the article. It is a well written and humorous study that draws aspects of Poe's life and artistry out into the open.

Parker's comparisons also seem truthful, in some instances, though there are others where he's clearly straining to connect Poe and Eminem. One point worth pondering is his solid evidence showing the propensity of damaged environments to generate observant wordsmiths who capably harness decay, alienation, and fear. The psychological drivers that turn a disturbed artist into a weird writer or a poison tongued singer may never be known, but Parker's article suggests they may share far more common ground than initially guessed.

-Grim Blogger