In his recent book entitled, A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe<\/a>, journalist Mark Dawidziak confirmed that although symptoms of Edgar’s death point to tuberculosis, but there is also “a co-conspirator: an affliction known as election fraud<\/a>“.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this post, I take a look at some of the most famous Edgar Allan Poe poems and provide a brief synopsis of their main themes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Related: Charles Bukowski Poems<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n The poem Annabel Lee<\/a> by Edgar Allen Poe is one of his most famous works, telling the story of two lovers, Annabel Lee and the narrator, who remain in love even after death separates them. It begins:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “It was many and many a year ago,<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a kingdom by the sea,<\/p>\n\n\n\n That a maiden there lived whom you may know<\/p>\n\n\n\n By the name of Annabel Lee”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The poem reflects Poe’s feelings of deep, intense love and speaks to the eternal bond between soulmates, even after death. It is full of vivid imagery and uses repetition as a way of emphasizing its themes. The poem ends with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of my darling\u2014my darling\u2014my life and my bride,<\/p>\n\n\n\n In her sepulchre there by the sea\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n In her tomb by the sounding sea.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Poe’s poem, Alone<\/a>, is a reflection on loneliness and alienation, describing a world that is hostile and unforgiving. It begins:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “From childhood’s hour I have not been<\/p>\n\n\n\n As others were\u2014I have not seen<\/p>\n\n\n\n As others saw\u2014I could not bring<\/p>\n\n\n\n My passions from a common spring\u2014”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The poem reflects on the feelings of being an outcast and disconnected from the world, as well as Poe’s own struggles with depression since an early age. The poem ends these linese:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “In its autumn tint of gold\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n From the lightning in the sky<\/p>\n\n\n\n As it pass\u2019d me flying by\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n From the thunder, and the storm\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n And the cloud that took the form<\/p>\n\n\n\n (When the rest of Heaven was blue)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of a demon in my view\u2014”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n This poem<\/a> explores themes of time and memory, questioning how we can cling to our memories even as they inevitably fade away. It begins:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Take this kiss upon the brow!<\/p>\n\n\n\n And, in parting from you now,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thus much let me avow\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n You are not wrong, who deem<\/p>\n\n\n\n That my days have been a dream;<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet if hope has flown away<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a night, or in a day,<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a vision, or in none,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is it therefore the less gone?”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The poem is full of melancholic reflections on life and death as Poe contemplates the transient nature of existence. In his musings, he reflects that even though things may be lost, they can still live on in our memories. The poem ends with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n O God! can I not grasp<\/p>\n\n\n\n Them with a tighter clasp?<\/p>\n\n\n\n O God! can I not save<\/p>\n\n\n\n One<\/em> from the pitiless wave?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is all<\/em> that we see or seem<\/p>\n\n\n\n But a dream within a dream?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The Raven<\/a> is one of Edgar Allan Poe\u2019s most famous poems and has become a classic in the literary world. It tells the story of a mysterious visitor, a raven, that visits a man who is mourning the death of his beloved Lenore. The poem begins with the narrator musing on how he wishes he had never opened his door to the strange bird:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,<\/p>\n\n\n\n As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The poem goes on to explore themes of death, regret and loss. The narrator is haunted by the raven’s words, “Nevermore,” a phrase which reminds him of his beloved Lenore that he can never reclaim. The poem ends with these lines :<\/p>\n\n\n\n “And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;<\/p>\n\n\n\n And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon\u2019s that is dreaming,<\/p>\n\n\n\n And the lamplight o\u2019er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;<\/p>\n\n\n\n And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shall be lifted\u2014nevermore!”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n To My Mother<\/a> is one of Poe\u2019s most heartfelt and sentimental poems, dedicated to his mother. In it, he expresses his love for her and the admiration that she has given him through her lifetime of guidance and care. The poem begins:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Because I feel that, in the Heavens above,<\/p>\n\n\n\n The angels, whispering to one another,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Can find, among their burning terms of love,<\/p>\n\n\n\n None so devotional as that of \u201cMother,\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The poem goes on to describe the maternal love and devotion of his mother, who has been a source of strength and solace for him throughout his life. The poem ends with these lines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “My mother\u2014my own mother, who died early,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Was but the mother of myself; but you<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are mother to the one I loved so dearly,<\/p>\n\n\n\n And thus are dearer than the mother I knew<\/p>\n\n\n\n By that infinity with which my wife<\/p>\n\n\n\n Was dearer to my soul than its soul-life.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n This poem is a touching tribute to Poe\u2019s beloved mother and an expression of his love for her. It is a beautiful reminder of the power and importance of family, love and devotion.<\/p>\n\n\n Dream-Land <\/a>is a poem about death and the afterlife. In it, Poe speaks of a dream-land where he can be reunited with his lost love, Lenore. The poem begins:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “By a route obscure and lonely,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Haunted by ill angels only,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where an Eidolon, named Night,<\/p>\n\n\n\n On a black throne reigns upright,<\/p>\n\n\n\n I have reached these lands but newly<\/p>\n\n\n\n From an ultimate dim Thule\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n From a wild weird clime that lieth, sublime,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Out of Space\u2014out of Time.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The poem goes on to describe a dream-land of beauty and peace, in which the narrator can once again be with Lenore. The poem ends:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “By a route obscure and lonely, <\/p>\n\n\n\n Haunted by ill angels only,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where an Eidolon, named NIGHT,<\/p>\n\n\n\n On a black throne reigns upright, <\/p>\n\n\n\n I have wandered home but newly <\/p>\n\n\n\n From this ultimate dim Thule.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Dream-Land is an enchanting and vivid poem that transports the reader to a place of beauty and peace. It speaks of death, longing and hope, and is a fitting tribute to Poe\u2019s beloved Lenore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eldorado<\/a> is a poem about an intrepid knight’s quest for the mythical El Dorado. The poem begins:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Gaily bedight,<\/p>\n\n\n\n A gallant knight,<\/p>\n\n\n\n In sunshine and in shadow,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Had journeyed long,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Singing a song,<\/p>\n\n\n\n In search of Eldorado.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The poem continues to describe the knight’s tireless search for the fabled city of gold, and his ultimate realization that it was an elusive dream. The poem ends with these lines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n ” Over the Mountains<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of the Moon,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Down the Valley of the Shadow, <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ride, boldly ride,\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shade replied,\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you seek for Eldorado!\u2019<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Eldorado is a poignant poem about the futility of searching for something that may never be found. It speaks to the human desire for success and wealth, and highlights the importance of appreciating what we have in the present moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Edgar](\"https:\/\/www.selectedreads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Edgar-Allan-Poe-to-my-mother-576x1024.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n1 Annabel Lee<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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2 Alone<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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3 A Dream Within A Dream:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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4. The Raven:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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5. To My Mother <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Edgar](\"https:\/\/www.selectedreads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Edgar-Allan-Poe-the-Raven-576x1024.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n6.Dream-Land<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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7.Eldorado<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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8.The Haunted Palace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n