Edgar Allan Poe's "Annabel Lee" is a haunting poem that explores themes of love, loss, and the destructive power of nature. Examining the characters and setting allows us to understand the poem's underlying message.
Characters:
Annabel Lee: The poem's central figure, she is a young woman, beautiful and beloved by the speaker. While she is not explicitly characterized, her essence is conveyed through the speaker's adoration: "She was a child and I was a child, in this kingdom by the sea." Her innocence and purity make her loss even more tragic.
The Speaker: This unnamed character is consumed by grief for Annabel Lee. He is obsessed with her memory and blames her death on external forces. His devotion is unwavering: "But our love was stronger by far than the love of a hundred kings, or of a thousand queens." His obsession borders on madness, revealing the powerful grip of grief.
The "Angels": These ethereal beings are responsible for Annabel Lee's death, "chill winds" that "blew from a cloud, chilling my beautiful Annabel Lee." The angels are a powerful force, representing a cruel fate that tears lovers apart.
The "Kingdom by the Sea": This setting plays a crucial role in the poem's atmosphere. The "sea" evokes vastness, mystery, and danger. The "kingdom" suggests a secluded, idyllic place where love flourishes. The sea is a symbol of the destructive power of nature, and the kingdom represents the fragile nature of love.
Setting Analysis:
The poem's setting is both idyllic and melancholic. The "kingdom by the sea" is a place of beauty and love, but it is also vulnerable to the forces of nature. The "chill winds" that kill Annabel Lee represent the destructive power of the natural world, a force that can disrupt even the strongest love.
The setting's symbolism underscores the poem's central themes:
* Love's fragility: The idyllic setting contrasts with the tragic death of Annabel Lee, highlighting the fragility of love in the face of external forces.
* The power of nature: The sea and the "chill winds" symbolize the destructive power of nature, a force that can obliterate even the most powerful love.
* The persistence of grief: The speaker's constant dwelling on the kingdom by the sea and his unwavering love for Annabel Lee demonstrate the enduring nature of grief and the inability to escape the pain of loss.
Conclusion:
The characters and setting in "Annabel Lee" work together to create a deeply moving and evocative poem. Through the speaker's unwavering devotion to Annabel Lee and the powerful presence of the sea, Poe explores the destructive power of nature, the fragility of love, and the persistence of grief. The poem's simple language and evocative imagery create a haunting and unforgettable experience for the reader.