Annabel Lee - Poe

Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe

Overview

• The poem "Annabel Lee" is a narrative of love and loss, reflecting on the deep emotional connection between the speaker and Annabel Lee, set in a mystical kingdom by the sea.

Page 1 Summary

• Setting and Characters:

  • The poem begins by establishing a nostalgic setting: a kingdom by the sea.

  • Introduces Annabel Lee, a maiden whose sole purpose was to love and be loved by the speaker.

• Childhood Love:

  • Emphasizes that both the speaker and Annabel Lee were children when they fell in love.

  • Their love is described as profound and transcending ordinary love.

• Conflict:

  • A chilling wind signifies the arrival of tragedy, which takes Annabel Lee away from the speaker.

  • Her highborn relatives take her to a sepulchre, highlighting social hierarchies and the bond of love interrupted by fate.

• Jealousy of Angels:

  • The poem suggests that angels in Heaven envy the love of the speaker and Annabel Lee, hinting at the purity and depth of their love.

  • The chilling wind is presented as a force responsible for her demise, emphasizing a sense of helplessness.

Page 2 Summary

• Eternal Bond:

  • The poem continues by asserting that neither angels nor demons can sever the bond between the speaker and Annabel Lee.

  • The speaker feels her presence in nature, as dreams and stars remind him of her beauty.

• Imagery of Love and Loss:

  • The moon and stars symbolize the omnipresence of Annabel Lee in the speaker's life, even after her death.

  • The poem ends with the speaker lying beside Annabel Lee in her sepulchre, depicting a haunting sense of eternal love and unity in death.

• Themes:

  • The themes of love, loss, jealousy, and the supernatural are intricately woven throughout the poem, highlighting both the beauty and tragedy of their story.