The Bells consist of four stanzas of varying lengths that follows no particular rhyme scheme (Poetry E., 2003). Each stanza consists of four different bells: sleigh, wedding, alarm and lastly funeral (Poetry E., 2003). Common occurrence of the ringing, Poe finds a metaphor for the progression of the common man from the carefree times of youth (as in the merry sound of the sleigh bells), to the serious commitment of marriage, to critical situations of emergencies in ones mature life, and finally to the conclusion of death (Poetry E., 2003). This natural progression, however, receives a dramatic emphasis because the descriptions become more and more emotionally charged (Poetry E., 2003). The stanzas are all miniature stories within and all seem to …show more content…
The first universal theme is happiness. The sleigh bells creating childhood memories in one’s youth (Poetry E., 2003). The second universal theme joy is found in the second stanza. The golden bell is another metaphor symbolizing happiness, wealth, and commitment (Authors D., 2003). The third universal theme is fear, appears in the third stanza (Authors D., 2003). “What a tale of terror, now, their turbulency tells.” (Edgar Allen Poe). One can picture fear and sound expressed through an onomatopoeia effect with words, including: shriek, screams of the people (Authors D., 2003). Finally the last universal theme is death (Authors D., 2003). “One Human heart stone- they are neither man nor woman- they are neither brute nor human- they are ghouls (Edgar Allen Poe).” Poe is talking about death not being a person, but inhuman object this taunting us and waiting for us to answer his ringing. Poe’s metaphor of man experiences is well written. These are many of the universal themes found throughout the poem and in one’s