First, I was wondering why are you so knowledgable in Poe's works, Mr. Murphy...

Secondly, I would like to know a few things about Dream-land. In the poem, Poe refers King in the "So will its King, who hath forbid". Who might that be? The Eidolon? Also, why are NIGHT, SPACE and TIME captalized? I think I am missing the message that he is trying convey with the captalization. Well, thank you for your help.

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2001

Answers

That is exactly what I knew I had neglected. the King(Hop Frog, the Bells, King Pest, Plutonian shores) is often a figure of tyrannical death.(Poe was strong for American democracy). The emphasis on certain words capitalized, often in toto expresses the other worldliness yet reality of the dark dreamlworld, truly another dimension beyond scientific measurement or logic. The light of heaven, of Hope is missing in this journey. Eidolon is a phantom with a personified name NIGHT. This as the Greeks deified or spiritualized various ideas like Fate or Destiny. Thule is a legendary land at the ends of the earth- or beyond. I do not consider myself that knowledgeable, nor does Poe always help us with explaining all his poems in detail though frustrated readers often complained to him about certain details. I just seem to see a connection between various of Poe's poems.The life-borderland-afterlife is a strong one with many combinations and permutations, sometimes hopeful, most containing some awe or dread, passing through darkness and difficulties.

I have studied, have written poetry myself and am writing a work based on Poe.Now you have me looking for some poetic analysis other than intuition and biography.

-- Anonymous, May 31, 2001