Poetic Devices
Alliteration
The poem opens with "In a kingdom by the sea," immediately establishing a haunting soundscape through the repetition of "k." This continues with lines like "Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee." The harsh "k" and "g" sounds create a sense of coldness, isolation, and death, mirroring the speaker's grief and the harsh reality of loss.
Pathetic Fallacy
"Annabel Lee" is drenched in pathetic fallacy, where Poe gives nature human-like characteristics. The cold wind becomes a ruthless killer, while the angels are jealous rivals. The moon is personified as bringing the narrator dreams of Annabel Lee.
Anaphora
One notable example of anaphora in the poem is the repetition of the phrase "In a kingdom by the sea" at the beginning of several stanzas. This repetition serves to anchor the reader in the setting of the poem while also reinforcing the significance of the sea as a backdrop for the narrator's memories of his beloved Annabel Lee. By repeating this phrase, Poe not only establishes a sense of continuity throughout the poem but also imbues the setting with a haunting and ethereal quality that mirrors the narrator's feelings of longing and nostalgia.
Refrain
The refrain, "Annabel Lee," appears at the end of every other stanza, acting as a poignant reminder of the narrator's enduring love for Annabel Lee despite her untimely death. This repetition highlights the permanence of Annabel Lee's presence in the speaker’s life.
