This answer key provides model responses for the worksheet based on Edgar Allan Poe's "Annabel Lee." Use these answers to guide your grading and provide feedback to students.
1. Who is the narrator of "Annabel Lee"?
The narrator is a man who is deeply in love with Annabel Lee. He is also the speaker of the poem, recounting their eternal love and the events that led to her untimely death.
2. What is the main theme of the poem?
The main theme of "Annabel Lee" is the enduring power of love. The poem explores how the love between the narrator and Annabel Lee transcends even death, highlighting the idea of eternal and unbreakable bonds.
3. How does Poe use setting to enhance the mood of the poem?
Poe sets the poem in a "kingdom by the sea," which creates a romantic and ethereal atmosphere. The seaside setting contributes to the melancholic and dreamy mood, emphasizing the timeless and otherworldly nature of the narrator's love.
4. Identify an example of repetition in the poem and explain its effect.
An example of repetition is the phrase "kingdom by the sea," which is used multiple times throughout the poem. This repetition reinforces the setting and creates a musical quality, enhancing the poem's lyrical and haunting mood.
5. What literary device is used in the line "We loved with a love that was more than love," and what does it emphasize?
The literary device used is repetition, specifically the repetition of the word "love." This emphasizes the depth and intensity of the narrator's feelings for Annabel Lee, suggesting that their love transcends ordinary understanding.
6. Describe how the speaker's love for Annabel Lee is portrayed.
The speaker's love for Annabel Lee is portrayed as pure, passionate, and eternal. He describes their love as a powerful bond that persists beyond death, indicating a deep and unending connection that defies the natural order.
7. How does the poem convey a sense of eternity?
The poem conveys a sense of eternity through its consistent references to the everlasting nature of the narrator's love and the undying memory of Annabel Lee. Phrases like "in a kingdom by the sea" and the idea that their souls are forever entwined contribute to the timeless quality of their relationship.
8. What role does the sea play in the poem?
The sea serves as a symbolic backdrop that represents the vastness and depth of the narrator's love. It also adds to the poem's romantic and melancholic atmosphere, emphasizing the endless and unchanging nature of their bond.
9. How does Poe create a melancholic tone in the poem?
Poe creates a melancholic tone through the themes of lost love and death, the somber imagery of the night and the sea, and the speaker's expressions of sorrow and longing. The rhythmic and lyrical quality of the poem also enhances its mournful mood.
10. Explain the significance of the angels in the poem.
The angels in the poem symbolize the envy and malice that the narrator believes caused Annabel Lee's death. They represent external forces that disrupted their pure and innocent love, highlighting the theme of love's resilience against adversity.