The narrator recalls his deep love for a maiden named Annabel Lee who lived in a kingdom by the sea. Despite their young age, their love was strong and pure. However, Annabel Lee was taken away by her high-born kinsmen and placed in a sepulcher by the sea. The narrator believes their love was so strong that not even death can separate them.

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Meaning of "Annabel Lee" by Joan Baez


"Annabel Lee" tells the story of a tragic love that transcends even death. The narrator's deep love for Annabel Lee is portrayed as pure and eternal, existing beyond the boundaries of life and death. The constant mention of the sea symbolizes eternity and the cyclical nature of life and death. The opposition between heaven and the underworld, angels and demons, highlights the idea of a supernatural, everlasting love that defies any earthly force. Despite the physical separation of death, the narrator still feels a profound connection with Annabel Lee through dreams and memories. The poem reflects on the enduring power of love and the belief that it can conquer even the most final of separations.