Annabel Lee
It was many, many years ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this was the reason that, long ago,
In this kingdom by the sea, a wind blew
Out of a cloud, chilling
My beautiful Annabel Lee;
So that her highborn kinsman came
And bore her away from me,
To shut her up in a sepulchre
In this kingdom by the sea.The angels, not half so happy in heaven,
Went envying her and me—
Yes!—that was the reason (as all men know,
In this kingdom by the sea)
That the wind came out of the cloud by night,
Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.But our love it was stronger by far than the love
Of those who were older than we—
Of many far wiser than we—
And neither the angels in heaven above,
Nor the demons down under the sea,
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee:For the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night tide, I lie down by the side
Of my darling, my darling, my life and my bride,
In her sepulchre there by the sea,
In her tomb by the sounding sea.
What Happens in the Poem?
“Annabel Lee” tells the story of a deep and enduring love between the narrator and a young woman named Annabel Lee. They live in a seaside kingdom and share a love so intense that even the angels in heaven envy them. Tragedy strikes when a chilling wind, believed to be sent by the envious angels, claims Annabel Lee’s life. Despite her death, the narrator’s love remains unbroken. He continues to feel her presence in the moonbeams, the stars, and the sound of the sea, and spends his nights lying by her tomb.
What’s Special About This Poem?
- Eternal Love – The poem portrays a love that transcends death, suggesting that true love is everlasting and cannot be destroyed by physical separation.
- The Power of Grief – “Annabel Lee” explores the profound and lasting impact of loss, with the narrator’s grief permeating every aspect of his existence.
- A Fairytale Setting – The kingdom by the sea creates a mystical, dreamlike atmosphere that enhances the poem’s emotional impact and lends it timelessness.
Unlocking the Poem: Literary and Poetic Devices
Understanding Literary Devices
Writers use special techniques, called literary devices, to make their work more impactful. Let’s explore some of these in “Annabel Lee.”
- Imagery – Poe uses vivid descriptions to paint pictures in our minds. Consider the lines “The moon never beams, without bringing me dreams / Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.” We can almost see the moonlight and feel the narrator’s longing.
- Symbolism – The sea represents the vastness of love and loss, serving as a backdrop that echoes the narrator’s feelings.
- Allusion – The reference to angels in heaven hints at the supernatural influence on the story’s events.
- Personification – The wind is described as “chilling and killing,” giving it human qualities that heighten the sense of danger.
- Repetition – The refrain “In a kingdom by the sea” is repeated, reinforcing the setting and the poem’s haunting rhythm.
Understanding Poetic Devices
Poetic devices shape the musicality and structure of a poem. In “Annabel Lee,” several such devices are evident.
- Rhyme Scheme – Each stanza follows a consistent rhyme scheme, creating musicality and enhancing memorability.
- Repetition – The repeated use of “Annabel Lee” underscores the narrator’s deep attachment to his lost love.
- Refrain – The line “In a kingdom by the sea” serves as a refrain, providing cohesion across stanzas.
- Internal Rhyme – Words within the same line rhyme, such as “beams” and “dreams,” adding a subtle lyrical quality.
- Enjambment – Poe lets sentences flow into the next line without punctuation, creating momentum. For example, “The angels, not half so happy in heaven, / Went envying her and me.” The lack of a full stop emphasizes continuity.
Personification
Characters and objects are given human traits. The wind, for instance, “chilling and killing” Annabel Lee, gives it a malevolent presence that influences the narrative.
Allusion
The mention of angels hints at the supernatural realm, suggesting that celestial beings may be involved in earthly tragedies.
Symbolism
The sea often symbolizes depth, continuity, and the unknown. In this poem, it reflects the boundless nature of the narrator’s love and the mysterious forces that influence his fate.
Imagery
Poe’s descriptive language paints an evocative picture of the seaside setting, the wind’s cold breath, and the luminous moon. These images deepen the reader’s immersion in the narrator’s sorrow.
Refrain
The repeated refrain “In a kingdom by the sea” reinforces the setting and ties the stanzas together, creating a cohesive narrative thread.
Repetition
Beyond the refrain, the repeated use of the narrator’s name and the phrase “Annabel Lee” highlights his unwavering devotion and obsession with her memory.
Enjambment
Poe often lets sentences spill over into the next line without a pause. This technique creates a flowing rhythm and keeps the reader’s attention focused on the narrative’s progression.
The Narrator’s Perspective
The narrator’s perspective is conveyed through the first‑person voice and the intimate details he shares. He describes himself and Annabel Lee as children living in the same kingdom, illustrating the innocence and depth of their bond. The repetition of the line “In this kingdom by the sea” across stanzas emphasizes their shared world and the permanence of their connection even after loss.
The Role of the Supernatural
Supernatural elements, such as the envious angels and the chilling wind, add a mythic dimension to the story. They suggest that forces beyond human control can influence love, destiny, and tragedy, enhancing the poem’s dramatic resonance.
Themes of Love and Loss
“Annabel Lee” centers on the themes of love and loss, portraying a bond that transcends death and a grief that remains palpable. These themes resonate across time because they reflect universal human experiences of affection and sorrow.
Why This Poem Still Resonates Today
By understanding the literary and poetic devices employed in “Annabel Lee,” readers can appreciate the poem’s artistry and the way it uses imagery, symbolism, rhyme, and rhythm to convey timeless emotions. The poem’s haunting setting, unwavering devotion, and the enduring presence of the beloved all contribute to its lasting appeal.