Analysis of Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe

The poem “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe tells the story of a young man who loses the woman he loves due to the envy of angels, and he claims to hold onto his feelings for her forever (Poe). The main character concludes that living without Annabel is impossible, highlighting the theme of death in Poe’s narrative, but many critics question the role of love in the poem (Dumas 313; Sharma 5319). While some scholars emphasize death as the primary inspiration for Poe, it does not fully explain the intricacies of the poem. The focus on the narrator's self, as discussed by Savoye, Dean and Boyd, Rădulescu, and Romić, underscores the influence of society at the time, adding layers of complexity to the narrative. Despite the prevalent view of death as the central theme in “Annabel Lee,” I contend that Poe's work primarily revolves around love and the grief of losing it.

Many scholars often highlight death as the main source of inspiration for Edgar Allan Poe’s works, but there are other factors at play in the poem “Annabel Lee.” Hasanah et al. describe Poe’s stories as gothic with dark themes, but they fail to address the depth of love portrayed in the poem (57). While death is a recurring motif in Poe’s works, it does not overshadow the theme of love, which is evident in his depiction of the affection between the protagonist and Annabel Lee. The societal influences of the time also shape the narrative, as seen in the Victorian ideal of women as passive objects of desire (Rădulescu 127). The poem reflects the social norms of the era, emphasizing the enduring nature of love beyond the grave. Literary devices such as hyperbole and personification further highlight the theme of love in the poem, underscoring the depth of emotions felt by the characters (Hasanah et al. 57; Syafitri and Marlinton 55).

The personal experiences of Edgar Allan Poe also contribute to the theme of love in “Annabel Lee.” The poet’s own losses, including those of his mother and wife, are reflected in the narrative, adding a layer of authenticity to the emotions portrayed in the poem (Mulhall 1; Hasanah et al. 57). Poe’s personal grief and melancholy are evident in the poem, suggesting that his own feelings of loss and longing are central to the narrative. The focus on the individual and their emotional turmoil underscores the theme of love as a driving force in the poem, rather than death being the primary motif.

In conclusion, “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe is a reflection of love and the grief of losing it, rather than just a meditation on death. The poem draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including Poe’s personal experiences and the societal norms of the time, all of which contribute to the central theme of love in the narrative. By examining the poem through the lens of love and personal emotion, we gain a deeper understanding of Poe’s intentions and the complexities of human relationships.

References

• Dumas, Jacky W. “The “Annabel Lee” Blues.” The Comparatist, vol. 43, 2019, pp. 313-323. Web.
• Hasanah, Uswatun, et al. “Figurative Language in Poe’s Annabel Lee.” Jurnal Ilmu Budaya, vol. 9, no. 1, 2021, pp. 54-61. Web.
• Mulhall, Brenna. “The Romanticization of the Dead Female Body in Victorian and Contemporary Culture.” Aisthesis: Honors Student Journal, vol. 8, no. 2, 2017, pp. 1-8.
• Poe, Edgar Allan. “Annabel Lee.” Poetry Foundation. n.d. Web.
• Rădulescu, Laura Monica. “The Alienation of the Female Figure: Denial of Subjectivity in The Fall of The House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe.” Explorations of Identity and Communication, edited by Carmen Popescu, Editura Universitaria Craiova, Presa Universitară Clujeană Cluj-Napoca, 2018, pp. 121-128.
• Romić, Iva. “Female Characters in Selected Works of Edgar Allan Poe.” KICK, vol. 2, 2019, pp. 61-66.
• Savoye, Jeffrey A. “The Capital Warning of “Annabel Lee”.” The Edgar Allan Poe Review, vol. 19, no. 2, 2018, pp. 287-289. Web.
• Sharma, Lok Raj. “Exploring Basic Modes of Expression in English Poetry.” International Journal of Recent Advances in Multidisciplinary Research, vol. 06, iss. 11, 2019, pp. 5317-5320.
• Syafitri, Dewi, and Melisa Marlinton. “An Analysis of Figurative Language Used in Edgar Allan Poe’s Poems.” Linguistic, English Education and Art (LEEA) Journal, vol. 2, no.1, 2018, pp. 43-59. Web.
• Yin, Jiaqi. “An Analysis of “Beauty of Death” in Edgar Allen Poe’s Poetry.” English Language, Literature & Culture, vol. 3, no. 1, 2018, pp. 20-24. Web.