"Annabel Lee" has the same basic premise as the raven which is the sadness that comes after loss but "Annabel Lee" tells the story of how that love came to be. The Love of these two is so strong that even the angels feel envious of them. Of course it all has to end with the loss of Annabel because it wouldn't be Poe if it didn't. Poe lived this kind of loss so it wasn't a chore for him to write so powerfully and convincingly. Like the Gettysburg Adress, if you lived it it's always more genuine when you write it down.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Edgar Allen Poe
I think everyone can agree that Edgar Allen Poe is one of the greatest writers of the 19th century if not of all time. His poems and short fiction are timeless and still have a great impact on readers today. His poem "The Raven" is so famous that a sports team is named after it. "The Raven" is possibly the most well written poem ever. The feelings of dread flow from "The Raven." The concept of the finality of death is the scariest aspect of the poem. People today don't seem to understand why the poem is considered scary mainly I think because people today have become so exclusively literal. The Raven says "nevermore" because Lenore is dead and there is nothing he can do to bring her back. She is dead and the narrator will never see her again. The narrator isn't named because the narrator could be any one of us. All of us will lose people we love and none of us will be able to bring them back and they will be lost forever. We'll sit like the narrator by the fire trying not to think of the ones we've lost. Sitting, reading a volume of forgotten lore or watching the television, biting our nails nervously while we focus on the rustle of the curtains or the creek of a door. Trying to focus on anything that will keep us from realizing that it is over for the ones we loved and soon it will be over for us. Scary, huh? At least Orpheus was given a chance, am I right?
"Annabel Lee" has the same basic premise as the raven which is the sadness that comes after loss but "Annabel Lee" tells the story of how that love came to be. The Love of these two is so strong that even the angels feel envious of them. Of course it all has to end with the loss of Annabel because it wouldn't be Poe if it didn't. Poe lived this kind of loss so it wasn't a chore for him to write so powerfully and convincingly. Like the Gettysburg Adress, if you lived it it's always more genuine when you write it down.
"Annabel Lee" has the same basic premise as the raven which is the sadness that comes after loss but "Annabel Lee" tells the story of how that love came to be. The Love of these two is so strong that even the angels feel envious of them. Of course it all has to end with the loss of Annabel because it wouldn't be Poe if it didn't. Poe lived this kind of loss so it wasn't a chore for him to write so powerfully and convincingly. Like the Gettysburg Adress, if you lived it it's always more genuine when you write it down.
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I have to agree with you, Poe is an outstanding writer, who can put a multitude of feelings in just one poem, though alot of his writings center around death and the unknown afterward, about true love and about someone who is a few cards shy of a full deck. I enjoy reading them all, and I love the reference to the Simpons, they did do a great job at explaining The Raven.
ReplyDeleteHaha, love the simpsons clip. That episode ruined "The Raven" for me. Every time I read it now, I picture Bart's head perched on the bust of Pallas.
ReplyDeleteIt’s very interesting that you think Poe’s “The Raven” is the best poem of all time? Literary Sacrilege! What about John Milton’s 23rd Sonnet or his Paradise Lost or anything by William Shakespeare? Don’t like Renaissance Literature? What about "The Typer" by William Blake, or anything by Maya Angelou, Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, or Sylvia Plath. The list can go on and on, but I have a sneaking suspicion you favor Poe and his works. So let's agree to disagree. One aspect we both share in our interpretation of "The Raven", is the definite philosophical end of life's journey. It makes readers think about taking more advantage of the precious moments we have on this earth. To appreciate loved ones that walk with us side by side. Each day is a blessing and a curse in the knowledge that the end is always near. We have always been afraid of the unknown. Poe paints numerous emotional portraits in his writing depicting the theory that life must be destroyed in order to be reborn. A theory that was quite popular during his time. Is there really "nevermore" to life after death? From Poe's perspective, there is possibly nothing but the vast emptiness of space. The poem is haunting and makes for a good read. Especially during the autumn months, when the leaves are starting to turn and the wind begins to carry a chill. Have you ever experienced an up state New York fall? In the mornings, just as the sun starts to rise, the fog is so dense and thick. It moist air touches everything. It is also a great time to reflect on the past year’s happenings. For me, whenever I read this poem, it brings me back to the eerily unsettling mornings of New York State’s autumn mornings.
ReplyDeleteIn reality, I think the speaker of the poem was barely holding himself together. The raven entering his home was the straw that broke the camel’s back. He was already suffering from loss and loneliness and the raven just underscored how much despair he was really feeling. I think we all go through moments where we feel like we are going to break. Usually this takes place during trying times, after a loved one dies or during the terminal illness of a loved one. What’s really crazy about the whole poem is the fact that the man decides “Oh there’s a bird in my house, let me talk to it instead of shooing it out.” But seriously, the best poem?
I said quite possibly the best which is a dramatic way of saying it's not the best. Like how i'd say percy shelley's ozymandias or Robert Frost's trial by existence are two of the greatest poems ever made.
DeleteOkay, okay you left yourself an out there. I understand that some people really love Poe and I feel like there are other author's that outshine him for so many reasons. It seems to me that Poe is taught frequently in middle school and high school, so he is the go-to author when it comes to picking favorites. If kids these days only listen to one song, of course, it'll be their favorite. "Let it Go", is just one example. I went shopping today and counted at least four kids singing and/or humming that Frozen Song! Either way, I can't pick a favorite food, favorite movie or favorite song. The same goes for literary works. There are definitely things I don't enjoy though: peas, cheesy pop music, football, The IRS and emo-crazed literature. Peace!
DeleteThanks for the Simpsons clip! And the poetry throw down between you and Michael!
ReplyDelete