At the center of this gossip was a woman named Elizabeth F. Ellet, whose affections Poe had previously scorned. Ellet may be represented by the king himself, with his seven councilors representing Margaret Fuller, Hiram Fuller (no relation), Thomas Dunn English, Anne Lynch Botta, Anna Blackwell, Ermina Jane Locke, and Locke's husband.
The controversy centered around Elizabeth F. Ellet, a woman who had previously been scorned by Poe. Ellet can be seen as a symbol of the king, with his seven closest advisors representing Margaret Fuller, Hiram Fuller, Thomas Dunn English, Anne Lynch Botta, Anna Blackwell, Ermina Jane Locke, and Locke's husband.