Lenore
Ah, broken is the golden bowl! the spirit flown forever,
Let the bell toll, a saintly soul floats on the Stygian river,
And, Guy De Vere, hast thou no tear? Weep now or nevermore,
See! on yon drear and rigid bier low lies thy love, Lenore,
Come, let the burial rite be read; the funeral song be sung,
An anthem for the queenliest dead that ever died so young,
A dirge for her the doubly dead in that she died so young.“Wretches! ye loved her for her wealth and hated her for her pride,
And when she fell in feeble health, ye blessed that she died!
How shall the ritual then be read, the requiem how be sung,
By you, by yours, the evil eye, by yours, the slanderous tongue,
That did to death the innocent that died, and died so young?”Peccavimus; but rave not thus! and let a Sabbath song
Go up to God so solemnly the dead may feel so wrong!
The sweet Lenore hath gone before, with Hope that flew beside,
Leaving thee wild for the dear child that should have been thy bride,
For her the fair and debonair, that now so lowly lies,
The life upon her yellow hair but not within her eyes,
The life still there, upon her hair, the death upon her eyes.Avaunt! Tonight my heart is light. No dirge will I upraise,
But waft the angel on her flight with a Pæan of old days!
Let no bell toll, lest her sweet soul, amid its hallowed mirth,
Should catch the note, as it doth float up from the damned Earth.
To friends above, from fiends below, the indignant ghost is riven,
From Hell unto a high estate far up within the Heaven,
From grief and groan to a golden throne beside the King of Heaven.
Summary of Lenore
- Publication history: “Lenore” was first published in 1843 in the American Literary Journal. Earlier drafts appeared under the title “A Paean.” The poem has remained a key work in Poe’s exploration of grief and the afterlife.
- Structure and tone: The poem is written as a dramatic monologue addressed to Guy De Vere, a friend of the deceased. The speaker urges De Vere to express his sorrow openly, criticizes those who mourn only for social gain, and ultimately offers a vision of Lenore’s ascent to the heavens.
- Central themes: The poem contrasts authentic mourning with superficial tribute, emphasizes the importance of sincere remembrance, and juxtaposes earthly sorrow with spiritual hope.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in Lenore
Poe’s masterful use of literary devices deepens the emotional resonance of the poem.
- Anaphora: Repeated opening phrases such as “From Hell unto a high estate” and “From grief and groan” create a rhythmic emphasis that underscores the transformation of the speaker’s emotions.
- Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonants, as in “flown forever” and “saintly soul,” provides musicality and draws attention to key images.
- Allusion: References to Greek mythology—such as the Stygian river—and to biblical imagery—such as the Sabbath song—anchor the poem in a broader cultural context.
- Assonance: Repeated vowel sounds, for example the /e/ in “See on yon drear and rigid bier,” create a melodic harmony that supports the poem’s mournful tone.
- Consonance: The recurrence of consonant sounds, such as the /r/ and /s/ in “Come let the burial rite be read the funeral song be sung,” contributes to the overall sonic texture.
- Imagery: Vivid descriptions, such as “yellow hair” and “death upon her eyes,” create powerful visual images that evoke the poem’s themes.
- Metaphor: The ascent of Lenore to heaven functions as a metaphor for spiritual liberation.
- Rhetorical Question: Questions posed for effect, such as “And, Guy De Vere, hast thou no tear,” heighten emotional intensity.
- Symbolism: Objects and images—like the golden bowl, the Stygian river, and the paean—carry symbolic weight, enriching the poem’s exploration of death and the afterlife.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Lenore
In addition to literary techniques, Poe employs several poetic devices to structure the poem and shape its rhythm.
- Diction: The choice of archaic and elevated language creates a solemn, almost ceremonial tone.
- End Rhyme: A consistent rhyme scheme, such as “forever / river” and “more / Lenore,” reinforces musicality and cohesion.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows an ABAB rhyme pattern within each stanza, contributing to its rhythmic flow.
- Stanza Structure: The poem is organized into four stanzas, each advancing the thematic progression from sorrow to hope.
- Tone: The tonal shift from grief to spiritual transcendence mirrors the speaker’s emotional journey.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines offer solace and hope in times of loss:
Should catch the note, as it doth float up from the damned Earth.
To friends above, from fiends below, the indignant ghost is riven.
From Hell unto a high estate far up within the Heaven.
From grief and groan to a golden throne beside the King of Heaven.
“Lenore” remains a powerful exploration of grief, mourning, and the possibility of spiritual transcendence. Poe’s masterful use of literary and poetic devices creates a poem that continues to resonate with readers today.