Close reading of the passage of “Ligiea” by E.A Poe Essay Example
Close reading of the passage of “Ligiea” by E.A Poe Essay Example

Close reading of the passage of “Ligiea” by E.A Poe Essay Example

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The narrator gives a vivid description of Loggia, emphasizing her importance to him. He begins by describing her tall and slim stature in great detail. He utilizes words such as 'somewhat' in order to provide a precise portrayal of her features. Additionally, he employs sophisticated language, with words like 'emaciated,' 'demeanor,' and 'incomprehensible,' in order to capture her essence.

Despite his best efforts to convey her majesty, the narrator feels that no words can properly capture Loggia's beauty. He speaks of his wife as if he is enchanted by her, describing her as a very silent person who moves effortlessly like a shadow. Her low, sweet voice and marble hands lend credibility to the idea that she is an unearthly being, resembling more of a statue or an angelic creature than a mortal woman.

For the narrator, no other woma

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n could ever surpass his beloved wife's beauty. He is overcome with devotion to her, yet at the same time struggles to understand her completely.In the story, the husband of Algeria reveals that his statements are influenced by opium, which raises questions about the story's reliability. He finds his wife mysterious because her facial features do not conform to classical stereotypes. He references a Francis Bacon quote about true beauty having a hint of strangeness in his effort to understand her oddity, but he fails to do so. Despite his inappropriate language, he demonstrates his devotion to his wife by describing her features in detail and using poetic language to convey her extraordinariness. The narrator continues to examine her physical traits with an almost objectifying gaze, as if every part of her body is exposed to his scrutiny.Th

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most heavenly aspect of her entire body, according to the protagonist, are her lips, as evidenced by the triumph of all things heavenly. He examines every detail of her mouth and utilizes personification to give a more vivid and distinct image to the reader. Additionally, when discussing her appearance, he does not hesitate to compare her to the classical Greek pattern of beauty, believing her to be perfect in every way. Poe's Algeria is narrated by an unnamed protagonist who can manipulate the story to his imagination's limits. The narrator's tone is filled with intense emotions fueled by his powerful obsession with his wife. The writing style features an abundance of enumerations, long lists of adjectives joined by "and," and the personification of specific parts of the narrator's wife. The goal is to draw the reader into a deeper understanding of Algeria's character while also creating a sense of mystery and extraordinariness.

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