Blackwood -

: Poe uses this character to mock the "highbrow" literature of his time, which often used overly complex vocabulary, obscure foreign quotes, and dramatic, near-death narratives to intrigue readers. Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine

: The editor tells her that "genuine" articles require intense, exaggerated sensations. He suggests she put herself in a life-threatening situation—like drowning, hanging, or being bitten by a mad dog—and record every excruciating feeling until the very end. BlackWood

The magazine Poe satirized was a real and highly influential publication. : Poe uses this character to mock the