Meaning Of Annabel Lee

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Mr. Edgar Allan Poe was a profound American writer, critic and editor. He was famous for his writings of horror and suspense. He was critical of not only his own work but of others. He published, “The Philosophy of Composition,” to educate other writers on how to write and how to write effectively. This in mind, his poem, “Annabel Lee,” is living proof he indeed wrote the way he presented in, “The Philosophy of Composition.” He states there are several theories that must be obeyed in order to write with purpose. He refers this method to how went about writing, “The Raven;” however, his rules apply to his other works as well such as, “Annabel Lee.” “It is only with the dénouement constantly in view that we can give a plot its indispensable air …show more content…

In “Annabel Lee,” his most common refrains are “Annabel Lee,” and “In this kingdom by the sea.” He claims that the refrain must be brief because if it were long it would not have the same effect on the reader. Choosing the word or words for refrain do have meaning, they are not just a word or phrase that is repeated every so often. Poe expresses, “The sound of the refrain being thus determined, it became necessary to select a word embodying this sound, and at the same time in the fullest possible keeping with that melancholy which I had pre-determined as the tone of the poem” (“The Philosophy of Composition”741). This means that the word must still reflect the tone you are portraying throughout. “Annabel Lee,” uses “In a kingdom by the sea.” This phrase sounds just like, “once upon a time,” in my opinion. It serves what he may be trying to get across. This love he and Annabel Lee share is so rare and beautiful it is one just like we hear about in fairy tales. This refrain may have been purposely chosen for that reason. When he repeats, “Annabel Lee,” or “my beautiful Annabel Lee,” he puts emphasis on her name and that she was his and still

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