Loss of Breath

Synopsis

"Loss of Breath", also known as "Loss of Breath: A Tale Neither in Nor Out of 'Blackwood' ", is a short story written by American author Edgar Allan Poe under the pseudonym "Littleton Barry". A satirical tale, the story is narrated by Mr. Lackobreath who recounts his attempt to find and reclaim his lost breath, which he had literally misplaced. Throughout his journey, he is repeatedly dismembered and disfigured, falsely assumed to be dead, hanged, locked away, and prematurely interred. The absurd exaggerations may be explained by the fact that the tale was meant to satirize fiction published in the Edinburgh Blackwood Magazine, which was known for its sensational texts. Inspired by the rapid scientific developments during the nineteenth century and pre-Civil War period, Poe and other writers commonly expressed their ideas and perspectives about the newfound medical culture and practices. As a result, medicine and fiction intertwined during this period. Poe used the characters and plot as devices to convey predominant aspects and concerns regarding medicine in the nineteenth century. Poe also used them to criticize practitioners with an underlying sentiment, suggested to be common during his time. Furthermore, the themes in the story reflect common philosophical movements and beliefs from the nineteenth century, such as transcendentalism and pseudoscience.