Final answer:
Poe used to entertain social gatherings with grotesque and fantastical stories of his experiences and impressions of places like London and Paris, creating a blend of reality and imagination steeped in gothic and macabre elements.
Step-by-step explanation:
At social gatherings, Poe used to tell grotesque and fantastical stories about trips to London & Paris. Edgar Allan Poe was a master of mystery and the macabre, often engaging his audience with tales that combined the real and the surreal, blurring the lines between truth and fiction. His stories were known to delve into topics like witchcraft, the supernatural, and gothic themes, with an emphasis on creating a sense of awe and terror. Poe's anecdotes often included his own imaginative spin on events, inspired by his various literary works, such as 'The Purloined Letter' and 'The Fall of the House of Usher,' which explore the psychological effects of fear and the supernatural.