Insight Into His Life
Miscellaneous
Writing Style
100
The following lines entail what? "From childhood's hour I have not been As others were; I have not seen As others saw; I could not bring My passions from a common spring,"
Poe knew from a young age that he was different. He knew that he was on the left side of the psychological plane while others were on the right. The things that made others happy, did not have the same effect on Poe.
100
What specific lines refer to the theme of isolationism?
-As others were; I have not seen -As others saw; I could not bring -All I loved, I loved alone -The title, itself
100
In the first half of the poem, Poe maintains rhyme, but each line does not articulate a complete thought. Why did he do that?
To force the reader to pause and take in what was previously read. Poe depicts his feeling of alienation, but does so in an unorthodox fashion.
200
"And all I loved, – I loved alone" pertains to what in Poe's life?
Everything! Others didn't view things the way he did. To him, there was always a deeper, sadder meaning. It must have been hard for him to make any connections.
200
What's a metaphor in the poem?
-the common spring -the demon
200
The second half of the poem then shifts to the classical style of rhyme, ending the though process. What's the purpose of this clean-cut rhyming?
The world is now extremely ordered and in unison, but still beautiful. He brings in his own experiences and makes it easier to take in.
300
"I could not bring my passions from a common spring." What is the common spring? What is Poe's spring?
The "common spring" is the everyday optimism that most find enough. To Poe, however, the spring from which he drew passion was pessimism.
300
What is the tone?
The tone of the poem is sad and it makes the reader pity Poe.
300
How do descriptions enhance the meaning of being alone? EG: "red cliff of the mountain..." "autumn tint of gold..."
They show how Poe really had the time and desire to stop and look around, to indulge in everything. Not only beautify the poem, but hint into more of Poe's life.
400
Explain the following lines: "From every depth of good and ill, The mystery which binds me still, From the torrent, or the fountain..."
Poe was always confused about how anything in this world can be seen positively and negatively. Water, for example can be a harmful storm (torrent) or a beautiful piece of scenery (fountain).
400
Is there any parallelism in the poem? If so, where?
"As others were; I have not seen As others saw; I could not bring."
400
Poe wrote that works with obvious meanings cease to be art. He believed that quality work should be brief and focus on certain effects. What effects come from this poem?
-Sympathy -Sadness -Despair -Sorrow
500
Who is the demon? "And the cloud that took the form When the rest of Heaven was blue Of a demon in my view"
-Poe himself -Life in general -The death of his wife, the last person he actually spoke to
500
Why does the repetition of the word "from" have a great impact on the poem?
The word emphasizes the beginning to the end and the nonstop feeling of loneliness.
500
How is this poem gothic?
Gothic fiction is a genre of literature that combines elements of both horror and romance(5 I's). In this, the horror comes from just the details on his inner feelings. Individualism, inspiration, and idealism come into play from romance.
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