Edgar Allen Poe Poems: Edgar Allan Poe was a poet and writer from America. He was born on 19 Jan 1809. Edgar Allen Poe had several themes that he used in his writing; however, his most common themes were based on the twin subjects of love and death. The subconscious self and the human imagination were usually the revolving ideas of his poems.
Many of his poems also revolve around how a protagonist who lost his love deals with grief. Edgar Allen Poe had witnessed several deaths since he was a kid. These deaths were the reason behind the emotion, which is reflected in his poems.
Students can also check the English Summary to revise with them during exam preparation.
10 Incredible Edgar Allan Poe Poems
Here are ten incredible Edgar Allen Poe poems:
Annabel Lee
“Annabel Lee” is the very last poem by Edgar Allan Poe.
It was written in 1849 and published not long after the author’s death in the same year.
It features a subject that frequently appears in Poe’s writing: the death of a young, beautiful woman and how it affects the beautiful woman’s lover.
The poem starts on a note of a fairy tale where the poet says that long ago, “in a kingdom by the sea,” there lived a girl named Annabel Lee who loves the poet.
However, under harsh circumstances, when “wind blew out of a cloud” and killed Annabel. Although she was no more, their love was eternal and too strong to be defeated by the demons or angel who envied their love.
The narrator is reminded of the ravishing image of Annabel Lee by everything, including the moon and the stars. At night, he lies by her tomb by the sea and gets lost in her thoughts.
Alone
The underlying theme of this poem is loneliness. This poem has a tone of gloominess and was published in 1875, 26-years after the poet’s death.
The poet had lost his mother at a very young age. Slowly he understood that he was a misfit in society and that the things he loved did not fascinate others. He started to seclude himself from others.
His interpretation of life was different from others. What we also get to see is the inner manifestation of the poet onto the world. His seeing a demon in the cloud follows the poet’s writing style, which has goth elements.
The Raven
The Raven is probably the most famous poem by the poet due to its writing style and underlying tone.
The poem describes a harrowing night in December in the narrator’s life, where there are constant knocks on the door and a talking raven, which says one word- “Nevermore.”
The poet had recently lost his loved one Lenore and this grief of loss was being reminded to him now and then by this grim Raven. He asks whether or not he will ever again see Lenore in Heaven, but the Raven only responds, “Nevermore.” This constant and mundane reply makes the poet realize that there is no escape from his loneliness and resigns towards it.
A Dream Within A Dream
The poem highlights the stark difference between a dream and reality.
The poem embarks on the passing of time as perceived through reflection at or near the end of one’s life. When we go towards the end of our life, our perception of our living days change. They appear as dreams we have been living without any stronghold on reality.
The narrator kisses the listener as a parting gesture. He conveys to the listener that he believes that his life has indeed been a dream, but he suggests that everything “is but a dream within a dream.” He stands on the shore of the ocean, holding grains of sand as he cries. This section embarks on the idea that no matter how hard we hold onto our days, they will slip away.
The Haunted Palace
This poem is an allegory and conveys a king’s thoughts about his place and subjects’ safety. This poem, originally published in 1839, was later incorporated into Poe’s short story, “The Fall of the House of Usher.”
In the early days of the king, this place was lush green and full of prosperity. However, due to certain tragic events, the place lost lushness, and bad luck befell the place.
Poe equated the palace to one’s mind. With time and the onset of depression, it changes, just like the disintegration of the palace.
To My Mother
The poet’s mother passed away when he was very young. This poem is not dedicated to either the memory of his foster mother or his biological mother. The main idea behind the poem is his mother-in-law.
The poet’s wife, Virginia, passed away, and this poem was a tribute to her and her mother.
Dream-Land
Different people interpret this poem in different terms. Many consider it a portrayal of a nightmare, and some consider it a collection of sublime thoughts.
The poem describes a journey to his land of dreams. During this journey, the poet comes across harrowing landscapes.
The poem has many themes, and the most prevalent theme is a dream versus reality.
Lenore / A Pæan
The name Lenore has been mentioned in the poem The Raven. The poem was initially named A Pæan.
The poet conveys to us the death of Lenore. This poem starts with Guy De Vere, the intended husband, conveying how everyone loved her wealth. He accuses everyone of wishing her ill and causing her death.
The poet asks him not to mourn her death. He further says that he is not mourning but sure that her soul has reached Heaven.
The City in the Sea
This poem talks about a city that is in a state of melancholy. Death is always lurking in this city by the sea.
The graves lie open, which seem to embark on the idea of death. The wind in the sea causes a red glow which is the onset of hell’s arrival as the city is about to sink.
The city is not based on a solid setting, and hence its disintegration does not affect the readers.
Eldorado
The poem is about the endeavour of a knight in quest of Eldorado. Even after searching for endless time, he fails to find it. He loses hope and asks “pilgrim shadow” for the location of Eldorado. However, the shadow does not directly answer the question; instead, he urges the knight not to lose hope and take on even greater perils.
The poem ends on an ambiguous note. The primary theme of the poem is death. The knight will continue to find Eldorado till he finally meets death. Thus, the poem embarks on the possibility of reaching your dreams and not give up on them.
