Close reading of the passage of "Ligiea" by E.A Poe
19th century „Ligeia”, written by Edgar Allan Poe is a short story, that encompasses the fate of the unnamed narrator and his wife. Throughot the tale appear numerous descriptions of the characters as well as the narrator's feelings and inner thoughts. His insights and memories revolve mostly around the figure of Ligeia and how much she influenced his life. The second paragraph of the story focuses on the detailed depiction of the wife's appearance and thus gives a reader much of the insight into narrator's mind. The narrator starts his vivid description of Ligiea and from the very beginning he gives a signal to a reader that her figure is particullarly significant to him (There is one dear topic[...]It is the person of Ligeia.) He begins with describing her stature, which was very tall and slim and as he does it the reader is able to see how he tries to portray her as much precisley as possible. For instance, he enumerates her features with the usage of words such as somewhat to give a detailed picture of her person. What is more, the narrator employs a number of sophisticated words to present his beloved wife, such as emaciated, demenanor or incomprehensible. He states that it is really difficult to depict her majesty; she seems so perfect that no words can properly give back her beauty. The narrator speaks of Ligeia as if he was enchanted by her. According to him, she was a very silent person, who moved like a shadow and even when she came into the room she couldn't be heard (She came and departed as a shadow). He talks about her low sweet voice and marble hands, which may give the impression that Ligeia had a features of unearthly being; with her beauty she resembles more of a statue or an angelic creature. For him, no other woman could ever surpass her.
(In a beauty of face no maiden ever equalled her). The narrator himself is overcome by his devotion to his wife and at the same time struggles to understand her. However, he becomes a
(In a beauty of face no maiden ever equalled her). The narrator himself is overcome by his devotion to his wife and at the same time struggles to understand her. However, he becomes a