However, the story's ending reveals that the man is simply a man who bears a striking resemblance to Poe and whose life has eerily mirrored Poe's. This revelation makes the entire story a red herring because it was all based on a false premise.
The story ultimately explores the nature of identity and the enduring legacy of famous individuals, even in the absence of a direct connection. The fact that the man's life and death mirrored Poe's so closely, even though he wasn't actually Poe, underscores the theme of the story – that the impact of a person's life can extend far beyond their own existence.