Annabel Lee is a poem written by Edgar Allan Poe, first published in 1849. The poem is a ballad, a type of song that tells a story, and is written in a simple, straightforward style with an emphasis on emotion. The poem is notable for its haunting, melancholic tone and its theme of lost love.
The theme of Annabel Lee is the enduring power of love, even after death. The speaker of the poem is a man who is still deeply in love with his deceased beloved, Annabel Lee. Despite the fact that she has been taken from him, he remains devoted to her and remembers her with great fondness. He speaks of their love as a "joy that is infinite," a love that is so strong that it transcends death and remains eternal.
The speaker's love for Annabel Lee is portrayed as pure and innocent, and the poem suggests that this is the reason for their enduring love. The speaker states that "the angels, not half so happy in Heaven, went envying her and me." This line suggests that their love was so pure and true that it was envied even by the angels in heaven.
Throughout the poem, the speaker laments the loss of Annabel Lee and the fact that they can no longer be together in this life. However, the poem also suggests that their love will continue even after death, as the speaker says that "we loved with a love that was more than love." This suggests that their love was so strong that it transcends the boundaries of this world and will continue on in some form even after death.
In conclusion, the theme of Annabel Lee is the enduring power of love, even after death. The poem celebrates the strength and purity of the love between the speaker and Annabel Lee, and suggests that this love will continue on even after death. It is a tribute to the enduring nature of love and the enduring bond between two people who are deeply in love.