Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe
The poem narrates a tragic love story set in a kingdom by the sea, where a young maiden named Annabel Lee and the speaker share a profound and innocent love. Their bond is so intense that it attracts the envy of celestial beings. A chilling wind, perceived as a malevolent force, leads to Annabel Lee's untimely death, orchestrated by her noble relatives who believe their love is inappropriate due to their youth. Despite her death, the speaker insists that their love transcends even death itself. He believes that no external force, including angels or demons, can sever the connection between their souls. The speaker continues to dream of Annabel Lee, feeling her presence in the moonlight and stars. He finds solace in lying beside her tomb by the sea, affirming that their love endures beyond the grave. The poem encapsulates themes of love, loss, and the eternal bond between lovers, emphasizing the idea that true love remains unbroken, even in death.
By Edgar Allan Poe · First published 1849 · Genre: Romanticism, Gothic, Lyric Poetry · 411 words
First lines
It was many and many a year ago, / In a kingdom by the sea, / That a maiden lived whom you may know / By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought / Than to love and be loved by me.
I was a child and she was a child, / In this kingdom by the sea:
But we loved with a love that was more than love --
What this Textopian page supports
Annabel Lee is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edgar Allan Poe, dated 1849 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Edgar Allan Poe
- Date: 1849 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romanticism, Gothic, Lyric Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Tragedy
- Length: 411 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Genres
- Romanticism — The poem explores themes of idealized love and emotional depth, characteristic of Romantic literature.
- Gothic — The poem contains elements of the supernatural, death, and a melancholic atmosphere, typical of Gothic literature.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, focusing on love and loss in a lyrical format.
- Narrative Poetry — The poem tells a story of love and tragedy, fitting the narrative structure of poetry.
Tags
Love · Poetry · Death · Loss · Memory · Beauty · Tragedy · Romance · Melancholy · Longing · Elegy · Symbolism