- 7th Grade
Source: Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe
Assessment Answers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| PART A: Which of the following best describes a central theme of the text? | Love can sometimes be so strong that it cannot be stopped by death. |
| PART B: Which of the following quotes best supports the answer to Part A? | “And neither the angels in heaven above / Nor the demons down under the sea / Can ever dissever my soul from the soul / Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.” (Lines 30-33) |
| Which of the following statements best summarizes how the speaker describes Annabel Lee? | The speaker idealizes her, describing her as beautiful and seemingly having no other purpose than to love him. |
| PART A: What effect does the personification of nature have on this poem? | It supports the speaker’s claims that Annabel Lee was purposefully taken from him due to jealousy from the heavens. |
| PART B: Which of the following quotes best embodies an example of the answer to Part A? | “Yes !- that was the reason [as all men know / In this kingdom by the sea] / That the wind came out of the cloud by night / Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.” (Lines 23-26) |
| What does the rhyme scheme reveal about the speaker? | The speaker is still very focused on his relationship with Annabel, and she is never far from his mind. |
Discussion Answers
In the context of this poem, how do people face death? Cite evidence from this text, your own experience, and other art or literature to answer this question.
In “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe, people face death through a lens of profound love and enduring connection, suggesting that emotional bonds transcend the physical separation death imposes.
The speaker in the poem faces the death of Annabel Lee not with detachment or resignation, but with a deep, abiding love that refuses to acknowledge death as a barrier between them. This is evidenced by the lines:
- “And neither the angels in heaven above / Nor the demons down under the sea / Can ever dissever my soul from the soul / Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.” (Lines 30-33)
These lines illustrate the speaker’s belief that their souls remain united despite Annabel Lee’s physical death, indicating a refusal to accept separation and a conviction that love endures beyond death.
From personal experiences and cultural narratives, it’s clear that individuals face death in varied ways, often influenced by their beliefs, relationships, and the circumstances surrounding the death. Some might find solace in the idea of an afterlife or spiritual continuation, akin to the speaker’s belief in an enduring connection with Annabel Lee.
Others may focus on legacy, memory, and the impact the deceased had on the living, finding comfort in the continuation of their influence.
In other art and literature, similar themes emerge. For example, in W.H. Auden’s “Funeral Blues,” the speaker expresses profound grief and a sense of loss that permeates every aspect of life, reflecting how deeply death can affect individuals. Conversely, in “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas, there’s a call to resist death passionately, highlighting the human desire to cling to life and the impact of death on those left behind.
Both in “Annabel Lee” and across other artistic expressions, the confrontation with death often reflects a mixture of love, loss, defiance, and acceptance. These narratives suggest that while death is a universal experience, the individual response to it is deeply personal, shaped by a complex interplay of emotions, relationships, and beliefs.
In the context of this poem, how are we changed by love? What point does this poem make about the nature of love? Cite evidence from this text, your own experience, and other art or literature to answer this question.
In “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe, love is portrayed as a transformative force that deeply impacts and changes individuals.
The poem suggests that love is not just an emotion but a profound connection that can transcend even death. It implies that love has the power to shape one’s identity, actions, and perceptions of the world.
Evidence from the text includes:
- “But we loved with a love that was more than love — I and my Annabel Lee;” (Lines 9-10)
- “And neither the angels in heaven above / Nor the demons down under the sea / Can ever dissever my soul from the soul / Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.” (Lines 30-33)
These lines suggest that the speaker’s love for Annabel Lee was so intense and profound that it was beyond ordinary love, implying a transformation in how the speaker views himself and the world around him.
This love is so strong that it continues unabated even after Annabel Lee’s death, showing that the speaker is forever changed by this love.
From personal experiences, love can often change individuals in numerous ways, such as altering priorities, influencing decisions, and shaping life paths. Love can inspire growth, bring joy, and sometimes pain, fundamentally altering one’s perspective and approach to life.
In other art and literature, the transformative power of love is a recurring theme. For instance, in Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s sonnet, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways,” love is shown as an empowering force that affects the speaker deeply.
Similarly, in the novel “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gatsby’s love for Daisy shapes his entire life, influencing his actions, ambitions, and ultimately his fate, illustrating how love can define and change an individual’s life.
The point “Annabel Lee” makes about the nature of love is that it is an overpowering, enduring force that defies the natural laws of life and death. The poem portrays love as eternal and unbreakable, capable of surviving the ultimate separation caused by death.
This view of love as transcendent and transformative is echoed in various cultural narratives, suggesting that love’s impact on individuals is profound and lasting, changing them in ways that are both beautiful and, at times, sorrowful.
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