Literary Analysis- "Annabel Lee" By Edgar Allen Poe

The poem “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allen Poe is a representation of Annabel Lee’s death. The poem provides a description of the underlying love that the speaker has for Annabel Lee, a love that commenced many years ago in an unidentified "kingdom by the sea." Poe makes use of numerous poetic devices so as to improve the reader's comprehension of his profound love for his beloved Annabel Lee, therefore making it be amongst the best poems.

One of the literary devices that Poe makes use of in this poem is the rhyming structure. The rhyming structure employed by Poe plays a very big role. Poe's central purpose for utilizing rhythm/rhyme is to bring in a new approach of expressing the grief of the speaker. The name "Annabel Lee" is a significant component of the rhyming scheme all through the poem. Edgar Allen Poe further improves the rhythm structure of the poem by use of alliteration in the following line “but we loved with a love that was more than love," which places emphasis to the reader, the well-built relationship that existed between the two lovers. A rhyming link in “chilling” as well as “killing” (lines 25 and 26) provides an exaggeration of the horror of the death of Annabel Lee. The rhyme scheme of the poem starts with an ababcb pattern, however, as the poem progresses, it gets more intricate, as it ends with the pattern lbmbnnbb within the last stanza. As the lengths and number of the lines increases, its dramatic pitch as well intensifies. His moan for Annabel Lee as well escalates, therefore depicting the unconditional love that Poe had for her. As a result, Edgar Allan Poe's utilization of rhythm is very significant in comprehending the quintessence of the love Poe had for Annabel Lee.

Repetition is another literary device that is utilized in the poem. Although “Annabel Lee” poem is not precisely a ballad, it can be referred to as one since it utilizes the repetition of words as well as phrases with the intent of creating a mournful result. Edgar Allen Poe utilizes assonance a couple of times in the poem through the repetition of the “e” sound. Lines 2,4 and 6 of the first stanza ends with sea, Lee, as well as me respectively. Another instance of assonance is evident from Stanza 6 “and so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side/Of my darling- my darling- my life and my bride”. In addition, Poe also relies on alliteration heavily. For example “it was stronger by far than the love/Of those who were older than we- /Of many far wiser than we. These sound devices are important in creating more pleasing sound patterns.

In addition, Poe also uses imagery in the poem. All through this poem, light and dark imagery are used so as to help the readers to comprehend the strong feelings of loss that he continues to go through long after her death. Summoning a dreamlike feeling when talking concerning “a kingdom by the sea,” Poe means that the imaginary kingdom is a brilliant land of enchantment where both the speaker and Annabel fell in love while they were children. Through addressing Annabel as a "maiden" instead of a "woman," Poe brings about images of purity as well as innocence to the mind of the readers.

In conclusion, Poe utilizes literary devices effectively in this poem in order to convey his message. These literary devices make the poem be exciting for the readers. Poe’s use of rhyming structure, repetition, as well as imagery, makes the poem be one of the best poems.

Work Cited

POE, EDGAR A. "Analysis on the Poem “Annabel Lee”." Your Love Pills | J25code2. N.p.,

n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2015. https://yourlovepills.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/analysis-on-

the-poem-annabel-lee-by-edgar-allan-poe/