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Watch this episode ad-free by joining the ITBR Patreon! patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom
In this episode, I sit down with Poe scholar Dr. Amy Branam Armiento to explore why Edgar Allan Poe continues to captivate readers nearly two centuries later. From discovering “The Raven” as a young reader to teaching gothic literature today, Amy shares how Poe’s exploration of power dynamics, psychological unraveling, and human vulnerability keeps his work relevant.
We discuss the difference between gothic and horror—how gothic literature uses confined spaces and allegory to examine political and societal tensions—and why stories like “The Masque of the Red Death” resonated so deeply during COVID-19.
Amy also reflects on today’s evolving gothic landscape, where diverse voices are reshaping monster narratives and challenging traditional perspectives. Finally, we address the realities facing academia, including shrinking conference funding and the struggle to balance teaching with scholarship.
You can find out more about Amy's work here: https://www.frostburg.edu/academics/colleges-and-departments/english/faculty--staff.php
And here's her edited collection of essays: https://www.amazon.com/More-Than-Love-Enduring-Fascination/dp/0881469467
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Use the promo code ivorytower for 20% off your order of Writing on Fire and all Broadview Press books! https://broadviewpress.com/product/writing-on-fire/
Follow ITBR on IG @ivorytowerboilerroom and TikTok @dr.andrewrimby
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can watch video episodes of the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ivorytowerboilerroom
Thanks to our following sponsors!
To subscribe to The Gay and Lesbian Review visit glreview.org. Click Subscribe and enter promo code ITBRChoice to get a free issue with a subscription purchase. Follow them on IG @theglreview and TikTok @g_and_lr
Head to Broadview Press, an independent academic publisher, for all your humanities related books. Use code ivorytower for 20% off your broadviewpress.com order. Follow them on IG @broadviewpress.
Thanks to the ITBR team! Dr. Andrew Rimby (Host and Director), Mary DiPipi (Chief Contributor), and Sean Penta (Intern)
By Dr. Andrew Rimby4.1
2929 ratings
Watch this episode ad-free by joining the ITBR Patreon! patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom
In this episode, I sit down with Poe scholar Dr. Amy Branam Armiento to explore why Edgar Allan Poe continues to captivate readers nearly two centuries later. From discovering “The Raven” as a young reader to teaching gothic literature today, Amy shares how Poe’s exploration of power dynamics, psychological unraveling, and human vulnerability keeps his work relevant.
We discuss the difference between gothic and horror—how gothic literature uses confined spaces and allegory to examine political and societal tensions—and why stories like “The Masque of the Red Death” resonated so deeply during COVID-19.
Amy also reflects on today’s evolving gothic landscape, where diverse voices are reshaping monster narratives and challenging traditional perspectives. Finally, we address the realities facing academia, including shrinking conference funding and the struggle to balance teaching with scholarship.
You can find out more about Amy's work here: https://www.frostburg.edu/academics/colleges-and-departments/english/faculty--staff.php
And here's her edited collection of essays: https://www.amazon.com/More-Than-Love-Enduring-Fascination/dp/0881469467
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Use the promo code ivorytower for 20% off your order of Writing on Fire and all Broadview Press books! https://broadviewpress.com/product/writing-on-fire/
Follow ITBR on IG @ivorytowerboilerroom and TikTok @dr.andrewrimby
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can watch video episodes of the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ivorytowerboilerroom
Thanks to our following sponsors!
To subscribe to The Gay and Lesbian Review visit glreview.org. Click Subscribe and enter promo code ITBRChoice to get a free issue with a subscription purchase. Follow them on IG @theglreview and TikTok @g_and_lr
Head to Broadview Press, an independent academic publisher, for all your humanities related books. Use code ivorytower for 20% off your broadviewpress.com order. Follow them on IG @broadviewpress.
Thanks to the ITBR team! Dr. Andrew Rimby (Host and Director), Mary DiPipi (Chief Contributor), and Sean Penta (Intern)

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