Comparison of Annabel Lee, There is No Frigate Like a Book and Richard Cory Poems

Poetry Essay

Poetry is a truly unique and creative form of writing, expressing a wide variety of ideas. It makes one feel and think in a certain way, and to become inquisitive and full of wonder. There are different forms and types of poetry such as song lyrics, commercial jingles, sonnets, and ballads. Some genres of poetry include romantic, gothic, and dramatic. The literary elements in each poem can contribute to the tone and mood that is being evoked as well. Every poem generates a distinctive perspective, and each is special in its own way. Some examples of such poems are “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe, “There is no frigate like a book” by Emily Dickinson, and “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson.

First off, “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe is a poem that would be mainly categorized under the Gothic genre, although some elements of Romanticism are featured. These Gothic and Romantic elements do help to comprehend this poem, since it describes how the death of the narrator’s lover came to be. Certain words such as “demons” and “sepulchre” can be described as of a Gothic nature, while words like “beautiful” and “angels” correlate to Romanticism. The lines “It was many and many a year ago” and “Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee” portray a reminiscent and sorrowful tone, along with a dark mood, while a romantic mood can be induced by lines such as “But we loved with a love that was more than love.” Literary elements such as personification, repetition, and imagery also demonstrate the tone and mood. For example, “With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven coveted her and me” is an example of personification which depicts a romantic mood. The meaning of this poem is that love can still continue to persist even with the interference of death. Hence, one will understand how strong and powerful love can really be by reading “Annabel Lee.”

Next, “There is no frigate like a book” is a poem of the fantasy genre by Emily Dickinson. With the idea that this poem has a fantasy aspect to it, it does make it easier to understand since the poem compares reading to different modes of travel. Mentioning “Coursers,” “Traverse,” and “Chariot” add to the fantasy concept. Lines such as “To take us lands away” and “Nor any Coursers like a page of prancing Poetry” help to establish an adventurous mood as well as a wondrous and imaginative tone. The literary elements of simile and personification are demonstrated, an example being “There is no frigate like a book” which is a simile that adds to the wondrous, full of thought tone. The point that this poem is trying to get at is that even if one is unable to travel, they are able to still take on explorations by reading a good book. Therefore, one will be able to look at reading with a whole new light.

Finally, the poem “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson is one of the Realism genre. Due to the fact that this poem has to do with Realism, this makes it easier to grasp the meaning of the poem since the character of focus, Richard Cory, provides an insight on life and how it actually is. The following lines and phrases “He was a gentleman from sole to crown,” “Clean-favoured and imperially slim,” “he glittered when he walked,” “richer than a king,” and “admirably schooled in every grace” indicate a pleasant mood, however an ironic tone as well. A few of the literary elements in this poem are repetition and imagery, an example of repetition being “And he was always,” which sides with an ironic tone. This repeated phrase has a hint of foreshadowing to it as well. The message of this poem is that being wealthy and rich doesn’t guarantee happiness, and that people are not what they seem or appear to be. Thus, “Richard Cory” allows for the reader to make connections to human life.

In conclusion, the poems that have been explained, “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe, “There is no frigate like a book” by Emily Dickinson, and “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson, can be seen as truly different but original as well. “Annabel Lee” describes how the narrator is deeply in love with a woman by the name of Annabel Lee, representing Poe’s wife and cousin Virginia Clemm, who died due to the envy of the angels in heaven. He is depressed about her death but still loves her greatly. “There is no frigate like a book” expresses the power of reading.“Richard Cory” displays irony in which the poor took to thinking that wealth was the answer to their problems, while the prosperous Richard Cory was not satisfied or content with his life. The messages of these poems are all valuable and truly meaningful ones. Overall, poetry is full of endless possibilities and one cannot expect each poem to be the same.