Does anyone remember either this or something similar in any of Poe's works?

"That which seperates man from angel is the sheer force of their wills."

thank you,

TAC

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2003

Answers

"Ligeia" opens with a quote like this from Glanvil, which then is discussed in context of the death of his beloved who utters the last words and dies. The Poe repeats the reference again closing the full circle of the emphasized illustration and the first part of his story.

The phrasing is different as to emphasize the will of man striving to overcome death, a cry like that in "A Dream with a Dream" and the obstinate will of the lover in "Annabel Lee". Hovering on the denial, on immortality and death leads to a senses of struggle and angst poresent in many of Poe's works making it a genuine existential cry that brooks no ordinary consolation or escape. Even Ligeia's successful return is a thing of terror.

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2003