Okay, so Edgar Allan Poe was writing way before the authors we traditionally think of as Southern Gothic began to write in the 20th century. And even though he was a pioneer in the development of horror and the grotesque in American literature, not that many people think of him first and foremost as a Southern writer.

But the fact is that Poe was from the South, and, more importantly, he was a big influence on the Southern Gothic writers that came after him. Think all those grotesque and macabre Gothic elements would be there if Poe hadn't paved the way? We highly doubt it.

"The Tell-Tale Heart"

In this short story, one dude kills another dude and buries him under the floorboards. The only problem is, killer dude is convinced that the dead dude's heart is still beating—and he can hear it.

This is a classic Poe short story. In it, you'll find all of those characteristic Poe touches: lots of suspense, lots of the grotesque, a serious dose of mental instability, and, of course, some good old-fashioned blood and gore.

What do you think is lurking on your floorboards, folks?

"The Fall of the House of Usher"

This story about a disintegrating family—and their disintegrating house—totally foreshadows Southern Gothic writers' obsession with decay and disintegration. Poe's story is spooky and sad, and it sure served as an example for many Southern Gothic writers.

Like "The Tell-Tale Heart," this is also considered to be one of Poe's classic works, and it's the first in a long line of creepy Southern stories about dilapidated houses and the dilapidated people who live inside them.

Shmoops:

Mental decay and disintegration are a big theme in Poe's "A Tell-Tale Heart." These quotations from the story reflect how the narrator begins to lose his marbles.

In true Southern Gothic style, the family at the center of Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" is totally weird. Check out just how strange this family is here.