poe spent much of his life editing and writing articles on the subject of literary theory. his work led him to develop his own ideas about poetry and art. he believed that all works of art should have a single effect on the intended audience. a single emotion should be expressed through any piece of art, no matter whether it was written,performance,or painted. poe subsequently championed stories published in magazines and short lyric poems. he was unsupportive of longer work, especially epic poems, as they usually were written to have multiple effects on a reader. poe believed that art should be produced for its own sake. this was contrary to the positions of several other thinkers of his time who argued instead that art should serve a higher purpose,such as instilling values or portraying moral lesson.