The Significance of Annabel Lee

The human heart is a remarkably powerful thing. It pushes people, beating faster every time it is necessary, and will not quit even if told to do so. Most importantly, one’s heart undoubtedly keeps that person alive and in motion. The timeless concept of “speaking through your heart” is apparent through many mediums: singing, writing, and obviously talking are only a few of these methods of communication. Although when someone is put out to be cryptic, unapproachable, and even dark, others may have a hard time listening to someone talk through their heart. However, one person that I am certain can attract people to listen to what his heart has to say is Edgar Allan Poe and his literature. With that being said, when I hear the words Edgar Allan Poe escape from someone’s mouth, I imagine a mysterious and not quite understood, yet vastly known man with fiery and passionate inner emotions. Many did view him as a strange and arcane person through his writings, and continue to do so today. No matter what others’ thoughts are concerning Poe as a living being, very few can deny the depth of the intense, profound emotions he expresses through his heartfelt writings. Therefore I can conclude that his poem, “Annabel Lee,” is a direct reference to the unquestioningly interesting life he led, as well as the deep love he possessed for his wife, Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe.

In this piece of literature, there is a boy and a girl who are absolutely infatuated by each other, and feel as if they could spend the rest of their lives together at that location. When the author says, “In a kingdom by the sea” (Poe 2), I immediately think of a gloomy beach. In my mind I see the couple on a beach with an unmoving ocean to one side, and flat landsc...

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... although I do understand that hormones can be set ablaze at a very young age for both boys and girls, causing them to have these feelings for one another regardless of what people with more lifetime experiences think. Poe states in his poem, “But our love it was stronger by far than the love / Of those who were older than we / Of many far wiser than we” (27-29), which reinforces my thoughts over the matter of age. Poe had exceedingly different thoughts compared to those around him, seeing that most of the events in the author’s life were extremely uncommon. Therefore the life of Poe is one that is not experienced often by an ordinary man, and his extraordinary life is doubtlessly exhibited in his literature.

Works Cited

Poe, Edgar Allan. "Annabel Lee." Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation, n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2014. .