Analysis Of Edgar Allan Poe

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Richi Desai
Mrs.Stokes
Pre­AP English 1 4A
6 January 2015
Poetic Style Analysis Essay
Poe was famous for his short stories in America, England, and especially in France.The
Conqueror Worm, A dream within a dream ,Anabelle Lee, To Helen, and El Dorado are deep and loved poems of Poe. These poems portray how deep and insightful Poe’s thoughts were. Edgar Allan Poe’s style is characterized by extended metaphor, imagery, and metaphors.
First, Edgar Allan Poe uses extended metaphors throughout his poetry in order to take a serious subject and turn it into something playful. For example, in the poem The Conqueror
Worm,” [A] human gore imbued” ... “blood­red thing that writhes from out”(Poe, The
Conqueror Worm, 27 & 32). Poe uses the extended metaphor to compare death to angels
Another example, in the poem El Dorado “Singing a song” as if it were the sound of heaven ,” his heart as shadow” of the people who were sent to heaven because of the sins they committed (Poe, El Dorado, 5 & 9). Poe uses the extended metaphor to compare the city of El Dorado to heaven. The poem also shows the journey of death.
Next, Edgar Allan Poe uses imagery throughout his poetry in order to show the reader his unconditional love towards Helen and Annabel Lee. For example, “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”(Poe, Annabel Lee,39­42) . In the poem Annabel Lee Poe uses imagery in order show his obsessive love towards Annabel Lee. He has an unconditional mad love for her that can

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In the poem To Helen Poe uses imagery to describe how perfect helen was. She seemed almost fake because of how perfect she was. Also, the way the speaker described her she seemed like the most perfect person.
There after, Edgar Allan Poe uses metaphors throughout his poetry in order to compare contrary objects. [The]”Grains of the golden sand are like memories ~~ How few! yet how they creep”( Poe, A dream within a dream, 15 & 16). In the poem A dream within a dream Poe uses metaphors comparing sand to memories. The two things are so different yet so comparable.Memories make you who you are or they can also break you and your confidence.
Another example is, “ The curtain [to] a funeral pall”(Poe, The Conqueror Worm, 35). In the poem The Conqueror Worm Poe uses a metaphor to be able to compare the ending of a play to the end of humanity. As the curtains close so does humanity.
Lastly, Poe uses extended metaphors, Imagery, and Metaphors to be able to show the deep meanings behind his poems. By using these devices it makes it easier for the reader to connect to Poe. It also makes his writing more realistic. HIs poems express unconditional love or terrifying death of human