Why did he write the poem of "Annabel Lee"? What history is there about the poem, "Annabel Lee"? Do you have any iformation on the Poem "Annable Lee", pertaining to a report, that might come in handy. (dates, reasons, historical facts!)

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2002

Answers

he was talking about his dead wife. the wicked wind was the black plage.

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2002

No dedication, and no direct attribution by Poe. Considering the text it is not so much a tribute to Virginia or any other woman as an expression of the bereaved man's feelings and revolt, his unconquerable love on the shore that separates him from his happier days and the after-life."To love and be loved by me." The girl seems rather depersonalized like other ideal Beatrice figure such as "To Helen."

As also per Thomas Mabbott in his book on Poe's poetry there are strong resemblances between this ballad and "The Mourner" 1807 by someone initialed D.M.C. and some between Sarah Helen Whimtamn's "Stanzas for Music".

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2002

No dedication, and no direct attribution by Poe. Considering the text it is not so much a tribute to Virginia or any other woman as an expression of the bereaved man's feelings and revolt, his unconquerable love on the shore that separates him from his happier days and the after-life."To love and be loved by me." The girl seems rather depersonalized like other ideal Beatrice figure such as "To Helen."

As also per Thomas Mabbott in his book on Poe's poetry there are strong resemblances between this ballad and "The Mourner" 1807 by someone initialed D.M.C. and some between Sarah Helen Whitman's "Stanzas for Music".

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2002

Hard question!

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2002

"Annabel Lee" was written in memory of his dead wife, Virginia Clemm. She died in 1847 from Tuberculosis (known then as the "Consumption") - NOT the Black Plague. This poem was published in 1849 - the same year that Edgar Allan Poe died from uncertain causes. Edgar & Virginia seemed to be very much in love, as can be evidenced by the Valentine poem that Virginia wrote for Edgar. He never truly got over her death, although he did become engaged to 2 other women before he died (the latter of the 2 was his childhood fiancee).

You can find all sorts of information about Poe at http://www.eapoe.org

-- Anonymous, October 08, 2003