'The City In The Sea' by Edgar Allan Poe


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Lo! Death has reared himself a throne
In a strange city lying alone
Far down within the dim West,
Where the good and the bad and the worst and the best
Have gone to their eternal rest.
There shrines and palaces and towers
(Time-eaten towers that tremble not!)
Resemble nothing that is ours.
Around, by lifting winds forgot,
Resignedly beneath the sky
The melancholy waters lie.

No rays from the holy heaven come down
On the long night-time of that town;
But light from out the lurid sea
Streams up the turrets silently—
Gleams up the pinnacles far and free—
Up domes—up spires—up kingly halls—
Up fanes—up Babylon-like walls—
Up shadowy long-forgotten bowers
Of sculptured ivy and stone flowers—
Up many and many a marvellous shrine
Whose wreathed friezes intertwine
The viol, the violet, and the vine.

Resignedly beneath the sky
The melancholy waters lie.
So blend the turrets and shadows there
That all seem pendulous in air,
While from a proud tower in the town
Death looks gigantically down.

There open fanes and gaping graves
Yawn level with the luminous waves;
But not the riches there that lie
In each idol's diamond eye—
Not the gaily-jewelled dead
Tempt the waters from their bed;
For no ripples curl, alas!
Along that wilderness of glass—
No swellings tell that winds may be
Upon some far-off happier sea—
No heavings hint that winds have been
On seas less hideously serene.

But lo, a stir is in the air!
The wave—there is a movement there!
As if the towers had thrust aside,
In slightly sinking, the dull tide—
As if their tops had feebly given
A void within the filmy Heaven.
The waves have now a redder glow—
The hours are breathing faint and low—
And when, amid no earthly moans,
Down, down that town shall settle hence,
Hell, rising from a thousand thrones,
Shall do it reverence.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The City In The Sea: A Haunting Poem by Edgar Allan Poe

Are you a fan of dark, eerie poetry that sends shivers down your spine? Do you love to indulge in a world of mystery and imagination? If yes, then you must have heard of Edgar Allan Poe, a master of the macabre, who has left an indelible mark on literature history. Among his many works, "The City In The Sea" stands out as an exceptional poem that captures the essence of Poe's gothic style and his fascination with death, decay, and the supernatural. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the poem's theme, structure, language, and symbolism to understand its significance and impact.

The Theme of Death and Decay

The City In The Sea is a poem that explores the theme of death and decay. The poem describes a city that lies deep beneath the ocean, where the dead reside in silence and darkness. Poe creates a haunting image of the city, with its "black towers" and "fallen fanes" that evoke a sense of ruin and desolation. The poem suggests that the city was once magnificent and prosperous, but now it is a ghostly place inhabited by the dead.

Poe's depiction of the city emphasizes the theme of decay. He uses words like "ruin," "decay," and "desolation" to describe the city's state, painting a picture of a once-great civilization that has fallen to ruin. The theme of decay is also evident in the poem's imagery, as Poe describes the "mournful waters" that surround the city, emphasizing the sense of isolation and abandonment that pervades the poem.

The Structure and Language of the Poem

The City In The Sea is written in a lyrical and haunting style, with a meter and rhyme scheme that adds to the poem's musicality. The poem is composed of six stanzas, each with a different number of lines and a different rhyme scheme. The first and last stanzas have an ABAB rhyme scheme, while the second and fifth stanzas have an AABB rhyme scheme. The third and fourth stanzas have an ABCCBA rhyme scheme, which is a unique and complex pattern that adds to the poem's musicality and depth.

The language of the poem is rich and evocative, with a range of literary devices that enhance the poem's meaning and impact. Poe uses vivid imagery to describe the city, creating a sense of atmosphere and mood that draws the reader into the poem's world. He uses metaphors and similes to describe the city's inhabitants, comparing them to "ghosts" and "shadows" that haunt the city's ruins.

The Symbolism of the Poem

The City In The Sea is a poem that is rich in symbolism. The city itself can be seen as a symbol of the decay and ruin that Poe explores in the poem. The city represents a once-great civilization that has fallen into ruin, symbolizing the impermanence of human existence and the inevitability of decay and destruction.

The poem's imagery and language also contain symbolic meaning. The "mournful waters" that surround the city can be seen as a symbol of the abyss that separates the dead from the living. The "black towers" and "fallen fanes" represent the ruins of a once-great civilization that has crumbled into dust. The "shadowy" and "phantom" inhabitants of the city represent the dead, haunting the ruins of their former lives.

Conclusion

The City In The Sea is a haunting and powerful poem that captures the essence of Poe's gothic style. The theme of death and decay, the musical structure and language, and the rich symbolism all combine to make this poem a masterpiece of American literature. Through this poem, Poe explores the human condition, the impermanence of existence, and the inevitability of decay and destruction. The City In The Sea is a testament to Poe's genius and his enduring legacy as one of America's greatest literary voices.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The City In The Sea: A Haunting Tale of the Depths

Edgar Allan Poe is known for his dark and eerie tales, and "The City In The Sea" is no exception. This poem is a haunting depiction of a city that lies beneath the sea, and the eerie atmosphere that surrounds it. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism used by Poe to create this eerie and mysterious world.

The poem begins with a description of the city, which is said to be "in the sea." The city is described as a place of "dimness," "desolation," and "decay." The use of these words immediately sets the tone for the poem, and creates a sense of unease and foreboding. The city is also described as being "haunted," which further adds to the eerie atmosphere.

As the poem progresses, we learn more about the city and its inhabitants. The people who live in the city are said to be "pale," "ghastly," and "ghoulish." This description of the people adds to the overall sense of dread and horror that permeates the poem. The people are also described as being "unhappy," which suggests that they are trapped in this city and unable to escape.

The imagery used in the poem is also very effective in creating a sense of unease. The sea is described as being "black," "cold," and "unfathomable." This description of the sea creates a sense of danger and mystery, and suggests that there are dark and unknown forces at work in this world. The city itself is described as being "silent," which adds to the sense of isolation and loneliness that the inhabitants must feel.

One of the most striking images in the poem is the description of the "winged seraphs of heaven." These angels are said to be "hovering" over the city, and their presence adds to the sense of otherworldliness and mystery. The fact that these angels are "winged" suggests that they are not bound by the same laws of physics as the inhabitants of the city, and that they are somehow connected to a higher power.

The symbolism used in the poem is also very effective in creating a sense of mystery and foreboding. The city itself can be seen as a symbol of death and decay, as it is described as being "desolate" and "decayed." The sea can be seen as a symbol of the unknown and the mysterious, as it is described as being "unfathomable" and "cold." The angels can be seen as a symbol of hope and redemption, as they are described as being "winged" and "hovering."

Overall, "The City In The Sea" is a haunting and eerie poem that explores themes of death, decay, and isolation. The imagery and symbolism used by Poe are very effective in creating a sense of unease and foreboding, and the poem is a testament to his skill as a writer. If you are a fan of dark and eerie tales, then "The City In The Sea" is definitely worth a read.

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