- It was many and many a year ago,
- In a kingdom by the sea,
- That a maiden there lived whom you may know
- By the name of Annabel Lee;
- And this maiden she lived with no other thought
- Than to love and be loved by me.
- I was a child and she was a child,
- In this kingdom by the sea,
- But we loved with a love that was more than love—
- I and my Annabel Lee—
- With a love that the wingèd seraphs of Heaven
- Coveted her and me.
- And this was the reason that, long ago,
- In this kingdom by the sea,
- A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling
- My beautiful Annabel Lee;
- So that her highborn kinsmen came
- And bore her away from me,
- To shut her up in a sepulchre
- In this kingdom by the sea.
- The angels, not half so happy in Heaven,
- Went envying her and me—
- Yes!—that was the reason (as all men know,
- In this kingdom by the sea)
- That the wind came out of the cloud by night,
- Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.
- But our love it was stronger by far than the love
- Of those who were older than we—
- Of many far wiser than we—
- And neither the angels in Heaven above
- Nor the demons down under the sea
- Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
- Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
- For the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams
- Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
- And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes
- Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
- And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
- Of my darling—my darling—my life and my bride,
- In her sepulchre there by the sea—
- In her tomb by the sounding sea.
Introduction
A hauntingly beautiful poem “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe has transcended time and space in its popularity. It still remains a celebrated literary work even after more than a century since its first publication in 1849. Interestingly, it is the same year when Poe breathed his last. However, the enduring popularity of the poem lies not just in its theme but also its musicality, evocative language, and terrifying setting. Through the use of intricate sentence structures, Poe skillfully creates a foreboding and melancholic atmosphere that pervades the entire poem as well as the readers alike.
Annotations of “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe
| Word/Phrase | Line # | Annotations |
| Kingdom by the sea | 2, 8, 20 | A place by the sea, possibly a fictional kingdom created by the author |
| Maiden | 4 | An old-fashioned term for a young unmarried woman |
| Wingèd seraphs | 11 | Heavenly beings with wings, commonly depicted in religious art |
| Coveted | 12 | Strongly desired or coveted |
| Highborn kinsmen | 17 | People of high social standing who were related to Annabel Lee |
| Sepulchre | 19, 40 | A tomb or burial place |
| Envying | 22 | Feeling jealousy or envy towards someone |
| Dissever | 32 | To separate or divide something into different parts |
| Moon never beams | 34 | The moon never shines or illuminates without bringing the speaker dreams of Annabel Lee |
| Stars never rise | 36 | The stars never appear without the speaker feeling the presence of Annabel Lee |
| Night-tide | 39 | The time of night |
| Sepulchre/Tomb by the sounding sea | 40, 41 | Annabel Lee’s final resting place by the sea |
Literary in “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe
| Literary Device | Verse | Identification, Meanings, and Explanations |
| Alliteration | “In her tomb by the sounding sea” (line 41) | The repetition of the “s” sound in this line creates alliteration. It draws the reader’s attention to the setting to show how the sea creates a terrible sound. |
| Allusion | 11. With a love that the wingèd seraphs of Heaven | The reference to the winged seraphs of Heaven alludes to the angels mentioned in the Bible. Poe uses this allusion to emphasize the intensity of their love. |
| Anaphora | 28. Of those who were older than we— 29. Of many far wiser than we— | The repetition of “Of” in the beginning of two verses show the use of anaphora in this poem. |
| Assonance | 29. Of many far wiser than we— | The repetition of the “i” sound in “wiser” and “we” creates assonance. It draws the reader’s attention to the similarity of the two words. |
| Consonance | 33. Of the beautiful Annabel Lee; | The repetition of the “l” sound in “Annabel” and “Lee” creates consonance. It creates a musical effect and draws the reader’s attention to her name. |
| Enjambment | That a maiden there lived whom you may know By the name of Annabel Lee; And this maiden she lived with no other thought Than to love and be loved by me. | The sentence continues to the next line without pause or punctuation. It creates a sense of continuity and fluidity. |
| Hyperbole | 9. But we loved with a love that was more than love— | The speaker exaggerates the intensity of their love for Annabel Lee, using hyperbole to emphasize the depth of their feelings. |
| Imagery | 34. For the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams | The image of the moonbeams bringing the speaker dreams creates a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. |
| Internal Rhyme | 36. And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes | The rhyme between “rise” and “eyes” creates internal rhyme. It adds to the musicality of the poem and draws the reader’s attention to the speaker’s feelings. |
| Irony | 20. In this kingdom by the sea. | The repetition of this phrase creates irony because it juxtaposes the romantic image of a kingdom by the sea with the tragedy of Annabel Lee’s death. |
| Metaphor | 31. Nor the demons down under the sea | The demons are a metaphor for the speaker’s fears and anxieties. Poe uses this metaphor to create a sense of foreboding and danger. |
| Personification | 15. A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling | The wind is personified by being given the ability to chill. This creates a sense of foreboding and danger. |
| Refrain | 39. Of my darling—my darling—my life and my bride, | The repetition of this refrain emphasizes the speaker’s intense love for Annabel Lee. |
| Repetition | 26. Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee. | The repetition of the “ing” sound creates a musical effect and emphasizes the violence of Annabel Lee’s death. |
| Rhyme Scheme | 1. It was many and many a year ago, | The poem follows a regular rhyme scheme, with each stanza following ABABCB. |
| Simile | 11. With a love that the wingèd seraphs of Heaven | A comparison between the intensity of the speaker’s love and the love of the angels in heaven. |
| Symbolism | 19. To shut her up in a sepulchre | The sepulchre symbolizes death and the loss of the speaker’s love. |
Poetic and Sound Devices in “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe
| Literary Device | Reference of Verses | Meanings and Functions |
| Alliteration | Line 1: “many and many” | The sound of “m” emphasizes the abundance of time passed |
| Assonance | Line 3: “whom you may know” | Adds a musical quality and emphasis to the familiarity of the maiden through /o/ sound as repeated. |
| Consonance | Line 4: “Annabel Lee” | Repeats the “l” sound for musical effect and emphasis |
| End Rhyme | Line 4: “Annabel Lee” and Line 6: “by me” | Creates a sense of completeness and satisfaction within each line |
| Rhyme Scheme | ABABCB | Provides structure and organization to the poem |
| Diction | Line 17: “highborn kinsmen” | Word choice emphasizes the class and status difference between the speaker and Annabel Lee’s family |
| Verse Type | Free verse with occasional rhyme | Allows for flexibility in structure and rhythm while still incorporating traditional poetic elements |
| Stanza Type | Six-line stanzas (sestets) | Creates a consistent pattern and rhythm throughout the poem |
| Poem Type | Narrative and lyric poetry | Tells a story while also expressing personal emotions and feelings |
| Tone | Mournful and nostalgic | Conveys a sense of longing and sadness for a lost love |
Functions of Literary Devices in “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe
Function 1: Imagery: Imagery in “Annabel Lee” creates a beautifully haunting picture of the setting and the characters involved in the storyline. For example, the opening lines of the poem create an image of a distant kingdom situated somewhere by the sea where the protagonist lived with Annabel Lee. Poe’s use of imagery helps readers to better picture the setting and realize the emotions and situations presented in the poem.
Function 2: Repetition: Repetition intends to emphasize key phrases and ideas in the poem. For example, the phrase “kingdom by the sea” occurs three times in the first six lines of the poem, highlighting the importance of the setting. The repetition of the name “Annabel Lee” throughout the poem reinforces the importance of the protagonist’s love for her. This shows how repetition stresses upon the situation, characters, and feelings to make the readers understand reality.
Function 3: Symbolism: Symbolism in the poem conveys deeper meanings beyond the literal text. The wind blowing out of the cloud that chills Annabel Lee is a symbolic representation of death, and her sepulchre symbolizes the finality of death. The moon and stars that the protagonist dreams of symbolize his enduring love for Annabel Lee. Several other things that are generally associated with horror symbolize death, fear, and terror haunting the storyline of the poem.
Function 4: Rhyme and Rhythm: The poem’s rhyme and rhythm create a musical quality that enhances the emotional impact of the poem. Poe uses internal and end rhymes to create a consistent pattern, giving the poem a lyrical quality. This musical quality is exemplified by the repetition of the phrase “Annabel Lee” throughout the poem. The rhythm also contributes to the poem’s dreamlike quality, emphasizing the protagonist’s longing for his lost love.
Themes in “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe
- Love and Death: “Annabel Lee” revolves around the central theme of love and death. Poe portrays the power of love, which transcends the boundaries of death, as the narrator’s love for Annabel Lee persists even after her demise. The poem conveys the idea that love is a force that can overcome death and that true love never dies. The narrator’s memories of Annabel Lee serve as a testament to the enduring nature of love. As he remarks in lines 34-35, “For the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams / Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.” It shows how he recalls his beloved even when he dreams. The same happens during his waking hours. Therefore, the poem shows love and death intertwined.
- Jealousy and Envy: The theme of jealousy and envy is also present in the poem “Annabel Lee.” It happens that even the angels in heaven are envious of the love between the narrator and Annabel Lee, leading to her untimely death. Poe suggests that jealousy can lead to destructive outcomes, and in this case, it results in the tragic end of Annabel Lee’s life. This theme is evident in lines 21-22, where the narrator states, “The angels, not half so happy in Heaven, / Went envying her and me.” Yet, the poet does not clarify whether the beloved of the speaker dies naturally or the angels cause her death.
- Memory and Remembrance: “Annabel Lee” also explores the theme of memory and remembrance. The narrator’s love for Annabel Lee seems alive through his memories of her, and he continues to honor her memory by visiting her tomb. The poem highlights the significance of memories in preserving the essence of loved ones who have passed away. This theme is evident in lines 38-40, where the narrator declares, “And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side / Of my darling—my darling—my life and my bride, / In her sepulchre there by the sea.” This also shows that memory and rememberance play an important role in bringing love, death, and terror to the limelight.
- Life and Death as a Cycle: The final theme in “Annabel Lee” is the cyclical nature of life and death. Poe presents the concept that death is not the end, but a continuation of life, and that the love between the narrator and Annabel Lee will transcend death. The poem suggests that death is a part of the natural cycle of life and that those we love will always be a part of us. This theme is evident in lines 32-33, where the narrator affirms, “Can ever dissever my soul from the soul / Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.”
Literary Theories and Interpretations of “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe
- Psychoanalytic Theory: A psychoanalytic interpretation of “Annabel Lee” would focus on the psychological motivations behind the narrator’s behavior and emotions. The poem suggests that the narrator is deeply attached to Annabel Lee to the point that her death causes him intense grief and leads him to seek comfort in her memory. This could be seen as a manifestation of the narrator’s desire for a mother figure, as Annabel Lee is described as being childlike and innocent (lines 7-8). It is also that the narrator’s persistent attachment to Annabel Lee’s memory could be interpreted as a form of denial or refusal to accept her death (lines 34-41).
- Historical Theory: From a historical perspective, the poem could be seen as a reflection of the societal values and beliefs of the time in which it was written. The theme of the supernatural, with the angels and demons mentioned, could be interpreted as a reflection of the spiritualism popular in the mid-19th century. The portrayal of Annabel Lee as a passive and innocent figure, and the narrator as a heroic lover, could be seen as reflecting traditional gender roles and societal expectations regarding romantic relationships (lines 3-6, 9-12).
- Reader-Response Theory: Reader-response theory focuses on the role of the reader in interpreting a text. From this perspective, “Annabel Lee” can be seen as a highly personal and emotional poem that invites readers to connect with the narrator’s grief and longing. The use of repetition, such as the repeated phrases “Annabel Lee” and “kingdom by the sea,” creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that draws the reader into the narrative (lines 2, 4, 5, 9, 34). The themes of love, death, and memory are universal and relatable, allowing readers to interpret the poem in a way that is meaningful to them personally.
- New Criticism Theory: New Criticism is an approach to literary criticism that focuses on the text itself rather than its historical or cultural context. A New Critical interpretation of “Annabel Lee” would focus on the poem’s language and imagery, as well as its use of symbolism and metaphor. For example, the repeated mention of the sea could be seen as a symbol of both the narrator’s love and his grief, as the sea is both beautiful and dangerous (lines 2, 19, 40-41). Also, the use of personification, such as when the wind seems “chilling and killing” Annabel Lee, creating a sense of foreboding and suspense (lines 15, 25).
Essay Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements about “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe
- Topic: Love and Loss in “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe
Question: How does Poe explore the themes of love and loss in “Annabel Lee”?
Thesis Statement: Through the portrayal of the intense and enduring love between the narrator and Annabel Lee, as well as the tragic loss of Annabel Lee, Poe demonstrates the powerful and destructive effects of love and loss on the human psyche.
- Topic: Death and Immortality in “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe
Question: How does Poe use the theme of death and immortality in “Annabel Lee”?
Thesis Statement: By exploring the concepts of death and immortality through the narrator’s undying love for Annabel Lee and the imagery of the sea and the moon, Poe demonstrates the enduring nature of love and the idea that love can transcend death.
- Topic: Gothic Elements in “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe
Question: How does Poe use gothic elements in “Annabel Lee”?
Thesis Statement: Through the use of dark and supernatural elements such as death, loss, and haunting imagery, Poe creates a gothic atmosphere that underscores the narrator’s sense of loss, despair, and madness.
- Topic: Imagery and Symbolism in “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe
Question: How does Poe use imagery and symbolism in “Annabel Lee”?
Thesis Statement: Through the use of vivid and haunting imagery such as the sea, the moon, and the angels, as well as symbolic elements such as the sepulchre and the seraphs of Heaven, Poe creates a powerful and haunting poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and mortality.
Short Questions-Answers about “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe
- Question: How does the theme of love and loss shape the narrative of “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe, and what techniques does the poet use to convey the depth of emotion?
Answer: “Annabel Lee” shows the theme of love and loss shaping the narrative by presenting the speaker’s intense emotional attachment to the titular character as well as his profound grief at her death. The poem employs various poetic techniques to convey the depth of these emotions, including repetition, imagery, and metaphor. For example, the refrain of “the kingdom by the sea” emphasizes the speaker’s yearning for the lost love. Similarly, the image of the angels envying the couple’s love conveys the idea of a love transcendental and eternal. Through these techniques, the poet creates a hauntingly beautiful and poignant portrait of love and loss that resonates with readers.
- Question: In “Annabel Lee,” Poe explores the idea of the supernatural and the afterlife. How does he use language and imagery to convey the otherworldly nature of the poem?
Answer: Poe uses language and imagery in “Annabel Lee” to create a sense of the supernatural and extra-terrestrial. For instance, he describes the couple’s love as “seraphs in Heaven” and “winged seraphs of Heaven,” suggesting a divine or heavenly quality to their relationship. Additionally, the image of the moon as a “demon” and the “sea” as a “tomb” create a sense of darkness and foreboding. The repetition of the refrain “the kingdom by the sea” also adds to the otherworldly nature of the poem, suggesting a place that is both magical and mysterious. Through these techniques, Poe creates a hauntingly beautiful and mystical world that is both unsettling and enchanting.
- Question: The character of Annabel Lee is central to the poem, but the reader is given little information about her beyond her name. How does this lack of detail contribute to the emotional power of the poem?
Answer: The lack of detail about Annabel Lee in the poem serves to heighten the emotional power of the poem by emphasizing the universality of the speaker’s experience. By withholding specific details about Annabel Lee’s appearance or personality, Poe invites readers to project their own experiences of love and loss onto the character. This creates a sense of empathy and universality that connects the poem with the readers at the emotional level. Moreover, the simplicity of the poem’s language and structure becomes easy for the readers to perceive meanings and understand signs and symbols.
- Question: What is the role of repetition and refrain in “Annabel Lee,” and how does it contribute to the overall effect of the poem?
Answer: The repetition of the refrain “the kingdom by the sea” in “Annabel Lee” serves to emphasize the central importance of the setting and the speaker’s longing for his lost love. The refrain creates a sense of familiarity and comfort, drawing the reader into the speaker’s emotional landscape. Additionally, the repetition of phrases such as “in this kingdom by the sea” and “the angels, not half so happy in Heaven” creates a hypnotic effect that contributes to the dreamlike quality of the poem. Using these literary devices, Poe creates a sense of nostalgia and longing that permeates the entire poem, drawing readers to experience emotions akin to the poem.