Death: A Recurring Theme in Poe's Poetry Although Edgar Allan Poe is one of the best known American writers of short stories, he "turned to poetry as often as he could" (Buranelli 88) Several poems: "Ulalume", "The Raven," "Lenore," and Annabel Lee" deal specifically with the death of a beautiful woman. ... The recurring theme of death in Poe's poetry, especially the death of a beautiful young woman is supported by strange morbid settings, a dreamlike, gloomy atmosphere and repetitive wording and sounds. ... Poe then follows his own advice for poetry by having the sad speaker ...

• Word Count: 1648
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Poe's Poems In personal appearance, Edgar Allen Poe was a quiet, shy-looking, but handsome man; he was slightly built, and was five feet, eight inches in height. ... Poe made many contributions to Western Literature. ... Poe developed a theory that he applied to both his short stories and his poems. Its most basic principle was that in short fiction and poetry, the writer should aim at creating a single and total psychological or spiritual effect upon the reader. ... But, with the air of a lord or lady, he perched above my chamber door upon a bust of Pallas (39-40). ...

• Word Count: 2508
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School