Annabel Lee

1. The poem’s setting in a “kingdom by the sea” is somewhat vague and open to interpretation. Is the kingdom an earthly one in a particular geographical location? Is it meant to be imaginary, as in a fairytale? Or perhaps the kingdom is all in the speaker’s mind? Is it a grand kingdom in its glory days, or a quiet, unassuming community? Who is its ruler? Who are its inhabitants?

Create your own interpretation of the seaside kingdom, and illustrate it in a medium of your choice. You may draw a picture or other illustration, create a poster, write a detailed description, make a collage, build a clay model, or find some other way of expressing your interpretation of the poem’s setting. Provide as many details as possible about the kingdom, such as the location, weather, time period, buildings / architectural style, inhabitants, ruler(s), and population (size).

You may find it helpful to first brainstorm on paper about how you picture the kingdom. Stay true to any clues given in the poem, but feel free to fill in the blanks with your own imagination.

2. Listen to readings of two of Poe’s other poems, “The Raven” and