Final answer:
Edgar Allan Poe believed that good short stories require a single unifying effect, which is a true statement. This unifying effect is meant to ensure that every aspect of the story works together to create a significant, cohesive impact on the reader.option a is correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that Edgar Allan Poe believed that good short stories require a single unifying effect. This idea is a central tenet in Poe's literary theory and is crucial to understanding his approach to writing short stories. Poe thought that every element of a work, from its textual details to its emotional impact, should contribute to this singular effect. He argued that this unity of effect was essential in short stories, which by their nature provided a limited canvas compared to the expansive narratives possible in novels. Poe's attention to a single unifying effect ensures that every character, event, and detail in the story contributes to the reader's overall experience and the story's thematic resonance.
Contrary to approaching literature as a means to convey a direct message, as in Aesop's Fables, Poe's concept of unifying effect in short stories is more nuanced, emphasizing an emotional or psychological impact rather than a straightforward moral. The complexity of human existence and the subtleties inherent in literary works mean that reducing a story to a single message can oversimplify the rich and multifaceted experience that literature aims to provide.
The structure of a short story, with a central conflict and often a surprise twist at the end, aligns with Poe's perspective. This structure emphasizes the importance of every element working together to surprise, challenge, and satisfy the reader while delivering a memorable and cohesive impact, which is exactly what Poe's single unifying effect is all about.