Insanity And Death In Edgar Allan Poe's Life

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Edgar Allan Poe once noted about insanity, “I do not suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it.” Many of Poe’s readers may agree with his words because he includes many moments of insanity in his stories. Likewise, as Poe suffered from a great deal of tragedy during his lifetime such as the deaths of four family members, the reader may believe that his life was not the simplest and most pleasant. Although Poe’s short stories and poems seem quixotic, “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “Annabel Lee,” and “The Conqueror Worm” illustrate a direct reflection of how these events affected him in his lifetime. In “The Conqueror Worm,” Poe focuses deeply on death and difference. First, Poe introduces his view on death. As stated in the poem, “Out — out are the lights — out all! And, over each quivering form, The curtain, a funeral pall, Comes down with the rush of a storm, while the angels, all pallid and wan, uprising, unveiling, affirm that the play is the tragedy, ‘Man,’ and its hero the Conqueror Worm.” This quote resembles Poe’s life because he knows that death is …show more content…

According to the text it says, “By the name of Annabel Lee, and this maiden she lived with no other thought that to love and be loved by me.” This quote resembles Poe’s love for his wife, Virginia, and that he only loved her, and she only loved him. As Poe also stated, “That the wind came out of the cloud by night, chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.” This quote articulates that Virginia was a gorgeous girl, and she died instantaneously and unusually. Lastly, as the poet declares, “And neither that angels in Heaven nor the demons down under the sea can ever dissever my soul from the soul of Annabel Lee.” This quote reflects on how people try to separate Poe from his love, Virginia, but it could not happen because they were united as one, and inseparable. In conclusion, “Annabel Lee,” reflected mainly on his wife, Virginia, in many