Does anyone know where i can find criticisms and/or interpretations on Poe's "The Bells"? Must be scholarly.

-- Anonymous, February 12, 2002

Answers

Thomas Ollive Mabbott's books on Poe include a study of "The Bells". Especially informative as to the genesis and development of the poem from a short fancy to the epic sweep we have today. Try to think of Poe's works as "transparently suggestive" as a central step. The effect is clear and universal but evokes a depth beyond its vague terms. With most romantic poets especially in short poems the presentation seems straight forward and simplistic next to Poe's often stark brevity. Even a jaunty ballad becomes a vehicle of disturbing emotions.

Check Poe's story "The Devil in the Belfry", a humorous(sort of) tale and the use of bells in The Masque of the Red Death and several references to ghouls(not demonic but neutral intermediaries) in other stories and poems. Compare to "Lenore" for the sense of that wild laughter in face of death. I did a capsule of the Bells and Mabbott's information on an earlier Bells post.

One of the great examples of onomatopaeia and emotional resonance.

-- Anonymous, February 12, 2002