Annabel Lee, by Edgar Allan Poe
Study Questions
1. What made life meaningful to the narrator of the poem?
His relationship with Annabel Lee : “And this maiden she lived with no other thought /
Than to love and be loved by me” “We loved with a love that was more than love” “In our
kingdom by the sea”
2. What was the real cause of Annabel Lee’s death, according to the poet?
The angels were jealous of their love and caused a cold wind to blow “chilling and killing
my Annabel Lee”
3. According to the poem, what would you say the narrator spends most of his time
doing?
Dreaming and thinking about A.L – wandering along the ocean’s edge
4. Find the main idea: Annabel’s and the poet’s love for each other
5. Find the facts: All the following are true
The poet fell in love with Annabel long before he wrote the poem
Even the angels envied the lovers
The moon reminds the poet of Annabel’s smiling face
The poet is always thinking of Annabel Lee
6. Go beyond the facts: Readers can conclude the following
The poet’s love for Annabel is still so intense that she seems real to him.
7. Determine the writer’s style and technique:
The poet describes a personal experience
The poet communicates personal feelings
8. How do assonance, alliteration, and repetition influence the mood of the poem?
They create a musical, dreamy quality - somewhat artificial, unreal – perfect
9. How does imagery influence the mood of the poem?
Contrast between beautiful images (kingdom, moon beams, stars) v. death images
(chilling wind, highborn kinsmen, sepulcher, tomb)
10. What is the mood?
Idyllic, peaceful, sad, haunting
11. What tone does the author express toward Annabel Lee?
Worshipful, tender, devoted
12. What is the irony of the poem?
Angels killed Annabel Lee; beautiful poem about death
13. How does this poem fit in a unit on horror and suspense?
It is horrifying that angels would be so cruel to kill one of two young lovers