Lenore

By Edgar Allan Poe

Elegy
Ah, broken is the golden bowl! the spirit flown forever! Let the bell toll! a saintly soul floats on the Stygian river; And, Guy de Vere, hast thou no tear? weep now or nevermore! See! on yon drear and rigid bier low lies thy love, Lenore! Come! let the burial rite be read, the funeral song be sung! An anthem for the queenliest dead that ever died so young, A dirge for her the doubly dead in that she died so young. "Wretches! ye loved her for her wealth and hated her for her pride, And when she fell in feeble health, ye blessed her, that she died! How shall the ritual, then, be read? the requiem how be sung By you- by yours, the evil eye, by yours, the slanderous tongue That did to death the innocence that died, and died so young?" Peccavimus; but rave not thus! and let a Sabbath song Go up to God so solemnly the dead may feel no wrong. The sweet Lenore hath "gone before," with Hope, that flew beside, Leaving thee wild for the dear child that should have been thy bride. For her, the fair and debonair, that now so lowly lies, The life upon her yellow hair but not within her eyes The life still there, upon her hair, the death upon her eyes. "Avaunt! avaunt! from fiends below, the indignant ghost is riven, From Hell unto a high estate far up within the Heaven, From grief and groan, to a golden throne, beside the King of Heaven! Let no bell toll, then, lest her soul, amid its hallowed mirth, Should catch the note as it doth float up from the damned Earth! And I! to-night my heart is light! no dirge will I upraise, But waft the angel on her flight with a Paean of old days!"

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem exhibits a profound exploration of loss, grief, and transcendence, weaving a narrative of death and the afterlife through vivid imagery and a rich play of emotions. The tone is elegiac and solemn, yet with a hint of defiance against the sorrow. The speaker's voice oscillates between mourning the untimely demise of the young Lenore and almost celebrating her ascension to a higher plane, thus creating a poignant juxtaposition of the earthly and divine, the tangible and ethereal.

Two dominant themes emerge: the injustice of premature death and the hypocrisy of mourning. The lamentation for Lenore's death 'so young' intensifies the tragedy, while the accusation of those who 'loved her for her wealth and hated her for her pride' introduces a biting critique of societal hypocrisy. Structurally, the poem effectively uses repetition, particularly the refrain 'died so young,' to underscore the tragedy. Furthermore, the use of antiquated language and references to Christian rituals imbue the poem with a timeless, almost spectral quality. However, the poem concludes with a surprising shift in tone. The speaker refuses to sing a dirge, choosing instead to 'waft the angel on her flight with a Paean of old days,' suggesting a transcendence of grief and a shift from desolation to celebration. This surprising turn calls for an interesting, layered interpretation of the poet's view on death and grief.

Understanding Elegy

An elegy is a form of poetry that expresses sorrow or lamentation, often for someone who has died. This type of poetry serves as a tribute to the deceased, reflecting on their life and the grief left behind.

Elegies are deeply emotional and personal, exploring themes of loss, mourning, and remembrance. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Mournful Tone: Elegies are characterized by a tone of sadness and reflection, as the poet grapples with the pain of loss.
  • Tribute to the Deceased: The subject of an elegy is often someone who has passed away, with the poem serving as a memorial that honors their life and legacy.
  • Personal Reflection: Elegies often include personal reflections on the impact of the deceased on the poet's life, as well as broader musings on mortality and the human condition.
  • Structure and Form: While elegies can vary in form, they often follow a traditional structure that includes an expression of grief, praise for the deceased, and a sense of consolation or acceptance.

From ancient times to the present, elegies have provided a way for poets to navigate the complexities of grief and loss, offering solace and a means of preserving the memory of those who have passed.