An unpleasant situation

The first story – “How to Write a Blackwood Article” – is a satirical text in which Edgar Allan Poe criticises the sensationalist and superficial literary works of his time, particularly the style of 'Blackwood's Magazine'. With ironic detachment, the author “advises” how to write a successful article full of exaggerated emotions, brutality, and shocking elements. For example, the editor in this story advises the author to kill herself and record her feelings.

The second story – “A Predicament”. The main character, the author from the previous story, finds herself in an embarrassing and absurd situation that exposes hypocrisy, excessive dignity, and the fear of public ridicule. The author uses irony and exaggeration to mock social conventions and show how petty human fears can be.