Wednesday, September 11, 2013

What sound devices does Poe use in his poem "The Bells" besides onomatopoeia, alliteration, rhyme, and repetition?

"The Bells" is a fascinating poem. If it is read aloud
correctly, the listener can almost hear bells tolling in the bell tower. I think you've
pretty much covered the poetic sound devices with the examples you've listed, but I
think I can still help you.


One sound device that Poe uses
expertly in this poem is rhythm. Each stanza of the poem is about a different kind of
bell, and the rhythm of each stanza seems to fit the way each different bell rings. Just
as the sleigh bells of the first stanza constantly "tinkle, tinkle, tinkle," you almost
feel as if you have to read the stanza quickly to keep up. If you've ever watched a
royal wedding or heard wedding bells tolling, you'll understand how the short lines of
the second stanza seem to mimic the musical quality of wedding bells. Click on the link
in the sources section and listen to them for yourself.


The
rhythm of the third stanza will leave the reader breathless! You feel the urgency of the
alarm bells. The final stanza's rhythm conveys the somberness of the solitary tolling
bell. Combined with the repetition and alliteration of "bells, bells, bells," again the
rhythm lets you hear that bell tolling. It is not the tinkling jingle of the sleigh
bells or the happy music of the wedding bells or the urgent call of the alarm bells. It
is slow and ponderous. Click on the link to listen to a funeral bell
tolling.

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