Analysis Of Annabel Lee By Edgar Allen Poe

Poetry

Often times I read a poem to myself silently and find it hard to understand the significance of the point that the author is trying to establish. It is when that poem is read aloud that it really begins to shine and bring feeling to a work of art (823). The elements of sound are what make a poem come to life and provoke thought in the readers mind so that the author and reader make a connection. Whether it is creating flow, provoking immersive images, or creating suspense, elements of sound like alliteration, onomatopoeia, and rime strengthen the meaning of a poem in ways that you could never fully experience when reading silently. Alliteration is an element of sound where the repetition of sounds is found in successive words (815).

Rime is important in creating structure in a poem by offsetting lines that rime rather than letting the poem jumble together. It can also set the tone for a poem by creating a certain atmosphere. Incorporating rime can create suspense when done correctly and can keep the reader alert, thus drawing attention to a specific moment (817). The poem, “ Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allen Poe is a great representation of the use of Rime (993). “In a kingdom by the sea, / That a maiden there lived whom you may know / By the name of Annabel Lee; (“Annabel” 2-4). Poe establishes structure and flow when he rimes the long “e” sound throughout the whole poem (993). It is the end riming that sets the atmosphere and keeps the readers attention as he progresses through his story. “That the wind came out of the cloud by night, / Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee (“Annabel” 24-25). With the combination of repeating Annabel’s name and riming with the long “e” Poe makes it clear that Annabel meant a great deal to him. “And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side / Of my darling--my darling--my life and my bride,” (“Annabel” 37-38). Poe then breaks the structure and flow creating suspense as he changes the sounds that the reader has started to become accustom to as he draws near the end of his story. “In her sepulcher there by the sea, / In her tomb by the sounding sea.” (“Annabel” 39-40). After the break in rime Poe resorts back to riming with the long “e” to solidify the love he still has for Annabel