Poe includes a key feature of gothic literature by referencing the spirit of a deceased being, in this case the bride's former lover.

The beautiful, feminine, and powerful tone at the beginning of the poem, with words such as "ring", "wreath", "satin", and "jewels" is based on the themes of aesthetic beauty and vivid descriptions from romantic era literature. This allows for a more dramatic contrast when the tone shifts to one of grief, death, and dissatisfaction and Poe transitions to a more gothic style of writing.

The frequent repetition of the phrase "I am happy now" shows that the bride the bride's desperate attempts to convince herself that she is, in fact happy. If she truly believed in her happiness, then she would not need to constantly repeat, or assert, the phrase.

The repetition of the phrase "and, though" acts as an anaphora and emphasizes the disparity between the expected happiness associated with marriage and the actual distress the bride feels.

Poe establishes an A/B/A/A/B rhyme scheme, and this pattern (the second and the last lines rhyme, the remaining lines rhyme) continues throughout the rest of the poem. Having a consistent rhyme scheme enhances the overall flow and readability of the poem.

As a ballad, or an especially emotional form of verse, this poem draws inspiration from the Romantic literary period. The romantic movement acted as a foundation for the eventual development of gothic literature, so there are several overlapping characteristics between the two genres.

The wedding ring symbolizes the expectation that wedded couples are content together. The bride clings to this material object in spite of her broken heart, hoping that the symbolism associated with the ring will become a reality.

"Knell" refers to a bell that rings to announce a death or a funeral. Poe uses a simile to compare the sound of wedding vows to the sound of a death knell. This comparison introduces the concept of death, a major characteristic of gothic literature, into the poem, and it also shows the bride's mixed emotions towards her wedding.

The bride is referencing her deceased lover, who died in battle. Death and decay is one of the main characteristics of gothic literature.

First-person perspective makes it possible for the reader to better understand the speaker's experiences, thoughts, and feelings, and it increases the emotional stakes of the narrative. Poe writes from the perspective of a bride, or a woman who is about to be married.

The final line goes against the established pattern of ending each stanza with the phrase "I am happy now". Breaking the pattern draws attention to the line and shows its importance as the bride fears her deceased lover is unhappy with her marriage. This concern shows the bride's guilt and dissatisfaction with her marriage.

The words "awaken" and "dream" imply the bride's confused, subliminal mental state as she struggles to let go of her past lover and embrace her future. Gothic literature often includes or references the sublime to establish a heightened, incomprehensible sense of fear, awe, or confusion.

The words "awaken" and "dream" imply the bride's confused, subliminal mental state as she struggles to let go of her past lover and embrace her future. Gothic literature often includes or references the sublime to establish a heightened, incomprehensible sense of fear, awe, or confusion.

The final line goes against the established pattern of ending each stanza with the phrase "I am happy now". Breaking the pattern draws attention to the line and shows its importance as the bride fears her deceased lover is unhappy with her marriage. This concern shows the bride's guilt and dissatisfaction with her marriage.

First-person perspective makes it possible for the reader to better understand the speaker's experiences, thoughts, and feelings, and it increases the emotional stakes of the narrative. Poe writes from the perspective of a bride, or a woman who is about to be married.

The bride is referencing her deceased lover, who died in battle. Death and decay is one of the main characteristics of gothic literature.

"Knell" refers to a bell that rings to announce a death or a funeral. Poe uses a simile to compare the sound of wedding vows to the sound of a death knell. This comparison introduces the concept of death, a major characteristic of gothic literature, into the poem, and it also shows the bride's mixed emotions towards her wedding.

The wedding ring symbolizes the expectation that wedded couples are content together. The bride clings to this material object in spite of her broken heart, hoping that the symbolism associated with the ring will become a reality.

As a ballad, or an especially emotional form of verse, this poem draws inspiration from the Romantic literary period. The romantic movement acted as a foundation for the eventual development of gothic literature, so there are several overlapping characteristics between the two genres.

Poe establishes an A/B/A/A/B rhyme scheme, and this pattern (the second and the last lines rhyme, the remaining lines rhyme) continues throughout the rest of the poem. Having a consistent rhyme scheme enhances the overall flow and readability of the poem.

The repetition of the phrase "and, though" acts as an anaphora and emphasizes the disparity between the expected happiness associated with marriage and the actual distress the bride feels.

The frequent repetition of the phrase "I am happy now" shows that the bride the bride's desperate attempts to convince herself that she is, in fact happy. If she truly believed in her happiness, then she would not need to constantly repeat, or assert, the phrase.

Larkin refers to religion as a "musical brocade". A musical brocade is used to describe religion based stories about immortality, so Larkin uses this term to emphasize ways in which religions try to ignore, simplify, or explain death.

Larkins ALLUDES to religion, criticizing the tendency of religious groups to try and understand death. This is a more general allusion, so it reaches a larger audience, but it also signifies the universal nature of death-related fears.

Through METONYMY, Larkin refers to death as a dysfunctional anesthetic to emphasize the permanence of death. One of the reasons Larkin fears death is because once It happens, it cannot be undone. As he claims earlier, immorality is not an option.

Another METONYMY depicting death, this one focusing on the unnerving aspect of the unknown. Death is a slight chill down the spine, present enough to have an effect on everyday life but not present enough to directly confront. It captures the uneasiness and ambiguity of death.

Larkin personifies the telephones as crouching to heighten the moment when they ring. It creates tension and makes the telephones, as well as the work that is associated with them, seem more threatening.

Larkin uses METONYMY when referring to death as a "small unfocused blur". This emphasizes the notion that death is a constant presence, regardless of the situation. even if it is just a small, blurry image.

Here Larkin uses a SIMILE to compare the concept of death with a wardrobe. Just as a wardrobe is large, direct, and difficult to move, death is similarly a constant, unmovable presence in every person's life.

Another SIMILE comparing postmen and doctors. Larkin explicitly makes the connection that both workers go "house to house" visiting people, but what they do during these visits is left up to the reader.

Larkin uses a SIMILE to compare the sky of a new day to white clay. Both concepts act as a blank canvas or a fresh start; just as the sky in the morning leaves room for endless possibilities throughout the day, a lump of clay has the potential to transform into anything the artist desires. Both items are also described as being "white with no sun", which reenforces a bland, mundane depiction of reality.

supported by beliefs, no solid structure to enforce these ideas