once upon a midnight dreary
analytical Essay
565 words
“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary”, is one of the most famous poetry lines in America. Edgar Allan Poe had a life most people would think of as crazy. He wrote a famous poem called “The Raven” that is very strange like most of the poems he wrote. Edgar Allan Poe had a devastating childhood and a dark life as an adult. He was born January 19,1809, under the name of Edgar Poe. His father soon abandoned Poe and his fate is unknown. When Poe was two years old his mother died. John Allan who was part of the Ellis and Allan Tobacco Merchants then adopted him. Poe attended many schools because he could never manage to stay in one school very long. In 1826, he went to the University of Virginia for not even one year and was kicked out because he never paid his gambling debts. Poe started living a dark life after he was kicked out because he had to live on the streets. He married his 13-year-old cousin Virginia Clemm in 1836. He was happy until 1847 when Virginia Clemm died. He was so unhappy that a year later he attempted suicide. The circumstances of Poe’s death remain a mystery. But after a visit to Norfolk and Richmond for lectures, he was found in Baltimore in a pitiable condition and taken unconscious to a hospital where he died on Sunday, October 7, 1849. He was buried in the yard of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, Maryland. “The Raven” is a very great poem that has many literary devices and has great meaning. Edgar Allan Poe wrote many poems but “The Raven” is probably his most famous poem. “The Raven” was chosen because in 4th grade my teacher read it to the class and since then it has had a lot of meaning. This poem is about a ”rapping at my chamber door” and then he realizes a raven causes the rapping on his chamber door. The raven is always saying “Nevermore” and then he goes so crazy he kills himself. He dies because the speaker says “And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor/ Shall be lifted- nevermore!” “The Raven” contains many literary devices such as symbolism, metaphors, sensory images, and personification. The raven symbolizes the character conscious. A metaphor in “The Raven” is the raven being a “a thing of evil” which is represented throughout the poem.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how edgar allan poe's "once upon a midnight dreary, while i pondered, weak and weary" is one of the most famous poetry lines in america.
- Narrates how edgar allan poe had a devastating childhood and dark life as an adult. he married his 13-year-old cousin virginia clemm in 1836 and was happy until 1847.
- Analyzes how edgar allan poe's "the raven" is a great poem that has many literary devices and great meaning.
- Opines that edgar allan poe was a great and marvelous poet, who went through rough life as an adult and wrote great poems like ”the haunted palace” and “eldorado”.
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- Poe: The Maker of a Genreanalytical essayOne of Edgar Allan Poe’s most infamous poems is The Raven. Poe is known for his Gothic style writing and this is reflected in the poem. The poem which is published in the year 1845, is one that launches Poe into celebrity status (Bloom). The tone throughout the poem is melancholy and captivates readers with well written ...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that edgar allan poe was born in boston, massachusetts on the 19th day of january, 1809. his father leaves the family shortly after his birth, and his mother dies shortly before his third birthday.
- Analyzes how edgar allan poe's infamous poem, the raven, is melancholy and captivates readers with well-written cadence. the raven symbolizes grief over the loss of a woman he loves.
- Narrates how edgar allan poe whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "lenore."
- Analyzes how the poem is proof of an internal breakdown in and of itself by the speaker.
- Analyzes how the tell-tale heart shows more of poe's gruesome literature. the narrator in the tale has murdered an older man that was living with him.
- Analyzes how poe's third piece, the cask of amontillado, reflects revenge throughout the story. the narrator is the antagonist and seeks revenge against another character.
- Explains that edgar allan poe was one of the most influential writers in american literature. he was known for his dark minded thoughts, manic depression, and alcoholic tendencies.
- Cites bloom, harold, ed. edgar allan poe, classic critical views, and bloom's major short story writers.
- Explains sova, dawn b., "the cask of amontillado." critical companion to edgar allan poe: a literary reference to his life and work.
- Cites bloom, harold, ed. edgar allan poe, classic critical views.
- Explains bloom's literature. facts on file, inc. web. 7 may 2014.
735 wordsRead More - Essay On Edgar Allan Poeanalytical essayEdgar Allan Poe, the man known as the father of horror stories. His short stories and poems are known to be gloomy, dark, and morbid. Most people are not aware that many of his works are reflections of his own life. Throughout his whole life, Poe experienced numerous tragedies. Many of his hard experiences can be seen in his poems Annabel Lee, Alone, and Israfel. His short stories were also affected by his past. The Raven also has small depictions of Poe’s life. A tragic past, consisting of a lack of true parents and the death of his wife, made Edgar Allan Poe the famous writer he is today, but it also led to his demise and unpopularity.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that edgar allan poe's short stories and poems are gloomy, dark, and morbid. his tragic past led to his demise and unpopularity.
- Explains that edgar allan poe was abandoned by his father in 1811 and adopted by mr. and mrs.
- Analyzes how poe took john allan's death harshly and began adding opium to his alcohol. he struggled to find money and a suitable job.
- Analyzes how poe's poem "alone" discusses his uniqueness and self-individuality. he felt lonely with his real parents, foster father, and wife dead.
- Analyzes how poe faced many deaths of relatives and loved ones throughout his lifetime, including the death of his wife virginia.
- Opines that edgar allan poe's haunting poems and morbid stories will be read by generations of people from many different countries, a fact which would have provided some source of comfort for this troubled, talented yet tormented man.
709 wordsRead More - Mental Disorder In Edgar Allan Poe's The Ravenanalytical essayEdgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” follows the story of a young man who is sadden by the death of a woman named Leonore. As the reader advance through the poem, the main character is getting more and more emotionally unstable. He is clearly suffering from some kind of mental illness most likely depression. The narrator is in first person, we are living the poem through the eyes of the main character. (He compulsorily constructs self-destructive meaning around a raven’s repetition of the word 'Nevermore ', until he finally despairs of being reunited with his beloved Lenore in another world. Just because of the nightmarish effect, the poem cannot be called an elegy.) Poe use vivid details to describe how the narrator is gradually losing his mind.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how poe recurred to personification to give human qualities to the raven. ravnes are uncapable of talking from their soul, so giving them a soul is personification.
- Analyzes how the raven perched on a bust of pallas to remind the narrator that death is the ultimate finale.
- Analyzes how the protagonist was losing his mind as he tried to decipher who sent the raven.
- Analyzes how edgar allan poe's "the raven" follows the story of a young man who is sadden by the death of leonore.
- Analyzes how the poem is based on poe's life. the raven represents evil and death, while leonore represents life and purity.
1099 wordsRead More - Edgar Allan Poeanalytical essayEdgar Allan Poe is one American author whose name is known to almost everyone. Edgar is known for his elegant poems and for being a tough critic of refined tastes, but also for being the first master of the short story form, especially tales of mystery. He has a talent of having an extraordinary hold upon the readers imagination and not letting lose. Many advents of Edgar’s life has probably led to the strange, but successful and renowned pieces of American literature.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that edgar allan poe is known for his elegant poems and for being a tough critic of refined tastes. he is also the first master of the short story form, especially tales of mystery.
- Narrates how eliza arnold poe gave birth to her second child, edgar, on january 19th 1809 in boston, massachusetts.
- Explains that frances allan convinced her husband john to let them take edgar in, but they never formally adopted him. john promised david poe’s relatives that edgar would receive a proper and good education.
- Describes how the allans moved their tobacco trading company to london where the tobacco industry had been in a depression. edgar received his first formal education in london and was sent to stoke newington where he studied latin and dance.
- Explains that edgar was an excellent runner, leaper, boxer and a strong swimmer. he attended the academy of joseph h. clarke, and then studied with burke.
- Explains that edgar enrolled at the university of virginia in 1826 at age seventeen. he excelled in his language classes, latin, french, and spanish. his sadness was caused by his first romantic interest, elmira royster.
- Narrates how edgar's moods and gloominess, which john allan took as unappreciation for everything he had done for edgar, caused more quarrels with john.
- Analyzes how the strain between edgar and john grew during 1827. edgar could not stand it any longer and moved out of the allan’s home.
- Describes how edgar returned to his birthplace, boston, and began making a living of his own. he wrote for small newspapers and published the forty-page booklet "tamerlane and other poems".
- Narrates how edgar decided to join the united states army in 1827 and was promoted to sergeant major for artillery.
- Narrates how edgar left the u.s. army to become a cadet in richmond on april 15th 1829. john became impatient and accused edgar of misleading him. the quarrels grew when edgar began to have financial problems.
- Analyzes how john allan became nervous after his wife's death and became involved with elizabeth wills, the mother of their illegitimate twins. edgar continued to write to john and even tried drawing a picture of himself for john.
- Narrates how edgar continued to write poetry while living in baltimore and sent some of his poems to american monthly which published them as "sickly rhymes". he published more poems in a volume, which is unknown whether was supported by john allan or not.
- Describes how edgar gained admission to west point in the spring of 1930. he was appointed to a cadetship and signed for five years of duty to the united states.
- Narrates how edgar became upset when the news of john allan's marriage to a woman twenty years younger, named louisa patterson, came to him. he decided to leave west point, but john refused to answer.
- Analyzes how edgar returned to baltimore to live among his father's family and published new poems which showed his performance in mixing the past and present, dream and reality, myth and science.
- Narrates how edgar moved to baltimore to spend time with his family and meet his blood relatives, including his first cousins, elizabeth herring, virginia clemm, and neilson poe. their reunion and happiness ended abruptly when william died due to "intemperance."
- Narrates how edgar turned to fiction instead of poetry, hoping to make more money. edgar entered a contest in the saturday courier for "the best american tale", but the judges were impressed by his work.
- Narrates how edgar learned of the birth of john allan's and his new wife’s son in august 1831. edgar did not ask for money but mentioning that he was 'wretchedly poor'.
- Narrates how edgar accepted edger's advice from thomas willis, who had just begun a new magazine in richmond. edgar had fallen in love with his thirteen-year-old cousin and now had the chance to support her and maria.
- Analyzes how edgar returned to baltimore and married virginia. he wrote back to thomas willis asking for his old job back, but could not risk edgar’s drinking again. edgar performed all duties of an editor and worked on his writings.
- Narrates how edgar, maria, and virginia stayed in richmond for sixteen months, but he felt uncomfortable living there because it reminded him of john allan. they moved to new york, where edgar became interested in getting a government job.
- Explains that edgar's busiest period was when he wrote many reviews and his own articles. he continued his job with poor pay because it gave him much recognition and enriched his reputation.
- Narrates how virginia grew ill, and edgar pushed her to sing and study in hope to strengthen her, but by january 1942 she began to bleed from her mouth as she sang.
- Analyzes how edgar tried to set up his own magazine but failed due to alcohol abuse. he published autobiographical pieces and reviewed english authors to gain more recognition in england.
- Narrates how edgar allan poe went into a spiraling downfall after virginia's death. he returned to richmond in 1989 hoping to find financial support for his journal, but was unsuccessful.
- Explains that edgar allan poe led a strange and unusually hard life, but through his experiences he produced many outstanding and wonderful works which contributed to american literature in several different areas.
4000 wordsRead More - Poe's Life Reflected in The Ravenanalytical essayEdgar Allen Poe was one of the greatest writers of the nineteenth century. Perhaps he is best know for is ominous short stories. One of my personal favorites was called The Raven. Throughout his works Poe used coherent connections between symbols to encourage the reader to dig deep and find the real meaning of his writing. Poe's work is much like a puzzle, when u first see it its intact, but take apart and find there is much more to the story than you thought. The Raven, written in 1845, is a perfect example of Poe at his craziest. Poe's calculated use of symbolism is at his best in this story as each symbol coincides with the others. In The Raven, Poe explains a morbid fear of loneliness and the end of something through symbols. The symbols not only tell the story of the narrator in the poem, they also tell the true story of Poe's own loneliness in life and the hardships he faced. Connected together through imagery they tell a story of a dark world only Poe Knows exists.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes edgar allen poe's use of coherent connections between symbols to encourage the reader to dig deep and find the real meaning of his writing.
- Analyzes how poe's story of the raven tells of a lonely man who has lost his one true love lenore.
- Analyzes how lenore is an important symbol. she represents the happiness the narrator once felt, the change that comes, and the loneliness that follows change.
- Analyzes how poe uses the word "chamber" to describe the narrator's solitary confinement and loneliness. the raven "perched upon a bust of pallas" holds the secrets of the chamber.
- Analyzes how the narrator is asking the raven for information about his life and even lenore.
1427 wordsRead More - The Raven Rhetorical Analysisanalytical essayEdgar Allen Poe’s poem, "The Raven" starts off in a dark setting with an apartment on a "bleak December" night. The reader meets an agonized man sifting through his books while mourning over the premature death of a woman named Lenore. When the character is introduced to the raven he asks about Lenore and the chance in afterlife in which the bird replies “nevermore” which confirms his worst fears. This piece by Edgar Allen Poe is unparalleled; his poem’s theme is not predictable, it leads to a bitter negative ending and is surrounded by pain. To set this tone, Poe uses devices such as the repetition of "nevermore" to emphasize the meaning of the word to the overall theme; he also sets a dramatic tone that shows the character going from weary
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes edgar allen poe's poem, "the raven," which starts with an agonized man mourning over the premature death of a woman named lenore.
- Analyzes how edgar allen poe communicates his overall motif through similes and metaphors. the narrator is comparing his hopes to the bird's ability to fly.
- Analyzes how edgar allen poe uses the word chamber instead of bedroom to create a dark and mysterious tone. the stormy night represents the narrator's life and loss and the darkness that is still to come from the bird since his mistress.
- Analyzes edgar allen poe's use of symbols in "the raven". the raven symbolizes the narrator’s grief of lenore and the storm represents the loss of his mistress.
1017 wordsRead More - Edgar Allan Poe Essayanalytical essayEdgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809, to David and Elizabeth Poe, both actors, in Boston, Massachusetts. His father, a heavy drinker, abandoned the family when Poe was a year old, and at two years of age, Poe witnessed his mother’s death of tuberculosis. He was haunted by his mother’s death; it was a topic that he often explored in his writings later in life. Poe was then separated from his two sibling and taken in by the Allans, from whom he took his second name, in Richmond, Virginia. Although, Poe had a good relationship with his foster mother, he had a turbulent relationship with his foster father, with whom he often argued (Giammarco, 2012).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that edgar allan poe was one of the most prolific, acclaimed writers known today. his writings are known in particular for their melancholy and often gruesome themes.
- Explains that edgar allan poe was born on january 19, 1809, to david and elizabeth, both actors, in boston, massachusetts. he witnessed his mother's death of tuberculosis, which he explored in his writings later in life.
- Explains that poe attended school in england for five years, and later returned to america to continue his schooling. he was a talented student, but had few friends, so he struggled with significant poverty.
- Narrates how poe became an established writer and editor of multiple publications, including graham's magazine, and broadway journal.
- Analyzes how poe's poetry became increasingly gruesome as his life passed, reflecting his emotional state, particularly after his wife'
- Analyzes how poe's behavior indicates impulsivity and a lack of self-control. his drinking, gambling, dropping out of school to join the army, and frequent firing, are examples of such behavior.
- Analyzes poe's impulsivity and creativity, coupled with his episodes of depression, indicates that he likely suffered from bipolar disorder.
- Analyzes how poe's behavior and self-description is indicative of bipolar disorder, and his drinking problem is one quite common to sufferers.
- Analyzes how poe's struggles with mental illness are clearly portrayed in his various writings. the poem "alone" illustrates a mood of melancholy and depression indicative of his mental state.
- Analyzes poe's poem "the happiest day" as an apt description of his bipolar disorder.
- Explains that edgar allan poe was a highly successful and talented writer, but his life was fraught with difficulties and mental illness. he achieved great things and worked to become an accomplished writer.
1235 wordsRead More - Edgar Allan Poe Essaynarrative essayEdgar Allan Poe was born on a cold day in a lodging house in Boston, Massachusetts. It was January 19, 1809, and storming in the Boston Harbor. He was born as Edgar Poe to David Poe, Jr., and Elizabeth Arnold Hopkins Poe. They were both traveling actors. Poe’s parents split in when Edgar was one. He also had two siblings; Henry and Rosalie. The youngest was Rosalie, and the oldest was Henry, so Edgar was the middle child. In 1810, their father abandoned his family and left Elizabeth to care for the three children. Mrs. Poe then died a year later in 1811 from pulmonary tuberculosis.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that edgar allan poe was a man of mystery and suspense. his work often reflected his troubles and losses in life. he took part in enlisting in the military or that his death is unknown.
- Narrates how edgar allan poe was born on a cold day in boston, massachusetts, on january 19, 1809, and storming in the boston harbor. his parents split in when edgar was one.
- Narrates how edgar allan poe was baptized in the episcopal church in 1812 when he was three. his foster father, john, sold tobacco, cloth, wheat, tombstones, and slaves.
- Explains that poe was bullied at school because his parents had worked in the theatre, which at the time was a shameful career choice.
- Explains that poe attended the university of virginia, founded by thomas jefferson, with strict rules, high chaos, and huge dropout rates. he lost in touch with his high school love, sara elmira royster, who was almost engaged.
- Explains that poe was a good student and spent much of his time in the temporary library. he played seven-up and loo at mosby's, and rolled dice at the local tanner’s shop.
- Analyzes how poe's story had a humorous character named "gaffy" and he threw the manuscript into the fire. a literary critic said that the hero’s name appeared to many times in the plot.
- Analyzes how poe's gambling became out of hand and soon he was high in debts. he had no money to take care of himself, and no way to pay for his classes.
- Narrates how poe sent letters to elmira royster after leaving the university. the letters were unanswered because her family lived near the allan's.
- Narrates how poe enlisted in the us army as a private in may 1827. he served two years and was rewarded the rank of sergeant major for artillery.
- Narrates how poe went to westpoint as a cadet in 1830 and married his second wife, louisa patterson. the foster father disowned him after many fights over the affairs with allan.
- Narrates how poe won a contest on "the manuscript found in a bottle" and moved to richmond with his aunt mrs. clemm and virginia. he joined george r. graham to be editor for graham's magazine.
- Narrates how poe married his cousin, virginia eliza clemma, on september 22, 1835, and they grew up happily together.
- Narrates how poe left graham’s magazine to start his own magazine. virginia's health was worsening as her lungs weakened, and he wrote endlessly about death.
- Narrates how poe moved back to new york city in 1844 and became the editor of broadway journal and later, sole owner of the raven on the evening mirror.
- Describes how virginia and poe moved to a smaller house in the outskirts of philadelphia, where frederick thomas visited in 1842.
- Describes how poe became known as "the raven" and edgar allan began to drink more due to the excitement on his new piece. the broadway journal failed in 1846.
- Narrates how poe was desperate to find a replacement after virginia's death. he considered proposing to elmira shelton in 1848.
- Narrates how poe's life seemed wasted in 1849, when he arrived at her house and she inhaled ether. her mother sent him away.
- Narrates how poe drank severely and suffered horrific hallucinations. he enrolled in the richmond branch of the sons of temperance, bought a wedding ring but, nothing changed.
- Describes how poe was found in an irish tavern-gunners hall- in october 3rd. he was stupefied with drinks and wore badly fit trousers, crumpled shirt, and dirty hat.
- Explains that edgar allan poe's legacy influenced a whole new genre of literacy. he was one of the first critics to focus on style in literary work.
2017 wordsRead More - Symbolism In Edgar Allan Poe's Poem, The Ravenanalytical essayIn the poem “The Raven” Edgar Allan Poe wrote about grief, sadness, and depression. He is writing about a young girl named Lenore. She is depicted as pure, beautiful, and the very thing that the main character lives for, his beloved Lenore. When he loses her, he is sent into a spiral of depression. This leads him to believe that a black raven pecking at his door was sent by Lenore. Through out the poem “The Raven” Poe uses many things to illustrate the theme darkness, such as the words he so carefully uses, the symbols that are chosen, and the description of everything.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes edgar allan poe's poem "the raven" about grief, sadness, and depression. he is writing about a young girl named lenore.
- Analyzes how the natural bitterness of the sonnet is set up from the earliest starting point, when the storyteller starts with a specific end goal to get his mindset off of lenore.
- Analyzes how murkiness speaks to the peril hiding all through the verse. the shadows, hopelessness, scariness encapsulate the setting and environment inside of the lyric.
- Analyzes how poe chose words that made disposition, such as "darkness", "fearing," "echo", and "nothing" to convey the despairing state of mind.
- Analyzes how edgar allan poe's poem is a point-by-point examination of depression and misery. there is not the slightest glimmer of hope at the poem’s ending.
632 wordsRead More - The Life and Times of Edgar Allan Poeanalytical essayEdgar Allan Poe was born in 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts to drifting actor parents. Denying his parental responsibilities, Edgar’s father abandoned his wife and children, leaving her to support the family as best she could. He died somewhere around 1810. His mother traveled through various cities acting in as many stage performances as she could get, but the struggle eventually took a toll on her health. Towards the end of 1811, shortly after turning 2, while in Richmond, Virginia, she became ill and died. Her three children were put into homes. His brother William died young, his sister Rosalie later became insane, and Edgar was placed into the home of a well-off, yet unsupportive man named John Allan. Allan was emotionally detached from Poe, refusing to even legally adopt the boy. This move would begin a chain of events, eventually triggering a drinking problem, that would cause majority of Poe’s psychological troubles later in life. He was raised in an wealthy home, but lacked the emotional support needed to build determination and confidence in himself.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that edgar allan poe was a master of his craft, gifted with the talent of introducing each reader to his or her own fears.
- Explains that edgar allan poe was born in 1809 in boston, massachusetts to drifting actor parents. his father abandoned his wife and children, leaving her to support the family as best she could.
- Narrates how edgar's foster father, john allan, denied him the means to survive out of his home and forbade him to study poetry. he was devastated when his first love, elmira royster, married someone else.
- Analyzes how edgar's writings reflect an imagination that most of his readers will only experience when dreaming at night. he explores the processes and avenues of death.
- Analyzes how poe's poem "the raven" takes readers through the heart of misery with a dark shadow of terror.
- Opines that edgar allan poe's death was mysterious and strange as his life and stories. the cause of his death is unknown.
- Analyzes how poe's drinking problem led him to relapse after his wife died in 1847. he was unfaithful and used opium, laudanum, and morphine. his life was twisted and chaotic.
1140 wordsRead More