How Does Edgar Allan Poe Use Of Sound In The Bells
Warrington 1
Chris Warrington
Mrs. Speed
Honors English 11
8 December 2006
Devices of Sound in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Bells” Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1809. Poe is known for many of his great works, including his poem “The Bells.” The poem is considered a tour de force, which is a work that shows the author’s superiority as a writer (Cuddon 924). Poe strengthens his poem by using tempo, alliteration, assonance, and onomatopoeia. Poe’s use of tempo in “The Bells” makes the reader read the poem exactly the way the author wants it to be read. Tempo is described by The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language as “a characteristic rate of rhythm” (1325). Throughout the poem, Poe uses rhyming
to make the poem flow as it is read. At the beginning of the poem, Poe uses the words, “tinkle, tinkle, tinkle” (line 4). The bells he is describing are small and silver. Readers scan the lines at a fast speed. At the end of the poem, Poe uses longer words to describe large, steel bells. The lines are longer and read slower. Edgar Allan Poe uses alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds, in his poem (Quinn 13). This sound device adds to the power and flow of the poem, as well as to its tone. An example of alliteration is seen in the line, “[w]hat a tale of terror, now, their turbulency tells” (line 38). Repetitions of the t sounds emphasize the importance of the
Warrington 2 poem. Another example is observed when Poe writes, “[b]razen bells” (37). The poet, again, uses this to empower the poem. Edgar Allan Poe uses another sound device, assonance, in his poem. J.A. Cuddon defines assonance as “the repetition of similar vowel sounds, usually close together to achieve a particular effect of euphony” (58). Like the other sound devices, assonance is apparent in many occasions throughout the poem. One example of assonance in “The Bells” is seen in the words, “moaning and groaning” (line 113). The repeating long o sounds make a rhyming pattern that occurs various times in the poem. Poe uses assonance a second time in the line, “[w[hat a horror they outpour” (55). The repeating or sound also creates a pattern of rhythm. The most apparent sound device Poe uses in “The Bells” is onomatopoeia, “a word whose sound hints at its meaning” (Quinn 231). An example of onomatopoeia is Poe’s own created word “tintinnabulation” that describes the sounds of the ringing bells (line 11). Poe’s use of onomatopoeia makes the reader hear the different sounds of the bells as if they were real. Another example is seen in the line, “[h]ow they clang, and clash, and roar!” (54) It is obvious that Poe’s choice of words is very strong and relates to the sounds of the bells.
Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Bells” is constructed to force the reader to almost hear the ringing in his or her own ears. This poem is a great example of a tour de force, which flaunts Poe’s expertise as a writer. Poe’s use of four sound devices turns “The Bells” into one of Poe’s most powerful pieces of work.
Chris Warrington
Mrs. Speed
Honors English 11
8 December 2006
Devices of Sound in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Bells” Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1809. Poe is known for many of his great works, including his poem “The Bells.” The poem is considered a tour de force, which is a work that shows the author’s superiority as a writer (Cuddon 924). Poe strengthens his poem by using tempo, alliteration, assonance, and onomatopoeia. Poe’s use of tempo in “The Bells” makes the reader read the poem exactly the way the author wants it to be read. Tempo is described by The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language as “a characteristic rate of rhythm” (1325). Throughout the poem, Poe uses rhyming
to make the poem flow as it is read. At the beginning of the poem, Poe uses the words, “tinkle, tinkle, tinkle” (line 4). The bells he is describing are small and silver. Readers scan the lines at a fast speed. At the end of the poem, Poe uses longer words to describe large, steel bells. The lines are longer and read slower. Edgar Allan Poe uses alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds, in his poem (Quinn 13). This sound device adds to the power and flow of the poem, as well as to its tone. An example of alliteration is seen in the line, “[w]hat a tale of terror, now, their turbulency tells” (line 38). Repetitions of the t sounds emphasize the importance of the
Warrington 2 poem. Another example is observed when Poe writes, “[b]razen bells” (37). The poet, again, uses this to empower the poem. Edgar Allan Poe uses another sound device, assonance, in his poem. J.A. Cuddon defines assonance as “the repetition of similar vowel sounds, usually close together to achieve a particular effect of euphony” (58). Like the other sound devices, assonance is apparent in many occasions throughout the poem. One example of assonance in “The Bells” is seen in the words, “moaning and groaning” (line 113). The repeating long o sounds make a rhyming pattern that occurs various times in the poem. Poe uses assonance a second time in the line, “[w[hat a horror they outpour” (55). The repeating or sound also creates a pattern of rhythm. The most apparent sound device Poe uses in “The Bells” is onomatopoeia, “a word whose sound hints at its meaning” (Quinn 231). An example of onomatopoeia is Poe’s own created word “tintinnabulation” that describes the sounds of the ringing bells (line 11). Poe’s use of onomatopoeia makes the reader hear the different sounds of the bells as if they were real. Another example is seen in the line, “[h]ow they clang, and clash, and roar!” (54) It is obvious that Poe’s choice of words is very strong and relates to the sounds of the bells.
Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Bells” is constructed to force the reader to almost hear the ringing in his or her own ears. This poem is a great example of a tour de force, which flaunts Poe’s expertise as a writer. Poe’s use of four sound devices turns “The Bells” into one of Poe’s most powerful pieces of work.