The influence of E. T. A. Hoffmann on the tales of Edgar Allan Poe

Originally published in 1908 as a dissertation at the University of North Carolina, Palmer Cobb's study explores the thematic and structural parallels between the German Romantic writer E.T.A. Hoffmann and the American master of the macabre, Edgar Allan Poe. At the turn of the century, scholars were increasingly interested in tracing the cross-cultural currents of literary influence, and Cobb sought to move beyond mere accusations of plagiarism to analyze how Poe adapted Hoffmann's grotesque and psychological tropes into his own unique Gothic framework.

The work was designed as a formal academic monograph, reflecting the rigorous literary criticism style prevalent in the early twentieth century. It stands as a significant, albeit niche, contribution to comparative literature, documenting the ways in which continental European sensibilities permeated American letters. While its influence is largely confined to academic circles, it remains a foundational text for scholars investigating the lineage of the psychological thriller and the evolution of the short story format.