1. Which fact about Poe's background contributes most to an understanding of "To One in Paradise"? A. Shortly before his mysterious death, Poe was found ill and disheveled, far from where he was supposed to be. B. In 1844, Poe became engaged to a woman named Sarah Elmira Royster Shelton. C. Poe's wife, Virginia, died at the young age of 24 after she contracted tuberculosis five years before. D. Poe joined the army but left to become a poet after failing to live up to the army's strict expectations.

C. Poe's wife, Virginia, died at the young age of 24 after she contracted tuberculosis five years before. This profound loss greatly impacted Poe’s writing, infusing it with themes of love, loss, and longing, which resonate deeply in "To One in Paradise." The poem can be seen as an emotional tribute to Virginia, capturing his remembrance and idealization of their time together. Additionally, Poe often grappled with death and the ephemeral nature of happiness in his works. His personal tragedies, particularly the death of loved ones, shaped his literary voice, which is characterized by both melancholy and an intense yearning for the unattainable, elements that are beautifully woven into the fabric of "To One in Paradise."