Kareem Washington

December 16, 2008

Period 2 English
Essay
“Eldorado” Analysis
The poem “Eldorado” by Edgar Allan Poe has an underlying meaning and can be

interpreted if closely analyzed. The poem surrounds the journey to the mythical city of Eldorado

which promises many riches in gold. The knight begins his journey with much enthusiasm but

after searching in vain, he grows old and insane as well. During his period of insanity he

questions his shadow to the road to Eldorado. His shadow replies and tells him the road to the

riches of Eldorado is “Over the mountains, Of the moon, Down the Valley of the Shadow”. The poem

has much to offer in its meaning due its symbolic and somewhat reflective nature. The poem also is a

response to the current events during the time in which it was written. The poem also uses a variety of

literary devices. The poem “Eldorado” is a bountiful source of symbols, historical perspective, and

literary techniques.

The poem has a deep, profound moral within its contents. Poe uses the term “shadow” within

each of its four stanzas which all have six lines. In the middle of each line the term is used to represent

something different. The first shadow represents the shade under the sun, the second represents the

darkness that has overtaken the knight’s heart, the third represents to the living figure of his shadow, and

the fourth refers to the “Valley of the Shadow”, which may be a reference to the “Valley of Death”. The

fact that the knight and had become old, and he must pass through the “Valley of the Shadow” at the end

of the poem can be seen as a symbol of death. The knight sets off in search of physical riches, yet after

finding nothing but insanity, reaches the end of his life. The moral can be seen as to avoid the constant

search for the riches of this world for it leads to nothing but despair. Poe published his poem during his

final year, and the knight could have been a reference to himself, since the knight was both aged and
mentally unstable, as he was. Also, the knight during the journey never felt accomplished, as did Poe

during his lifetime. The knight, however, was most likely a reference to the many subjects to the Gold

Rush, which took place in the same time period as the poem was published, 1849. The poem could have

been a moral warning to the many who would suffer the same fate as the knight in the search for worldly

riches. Poe uses many literary devices in this poem, including symbols such as the knight for the subjects

of the Gold Rush, the “Valley of the Shadow” for death, or the journey for life. Symbols enhance the

poem by engaging the reader to think more in depth. He also uses internal rhyming throughout the poem,

which can be cited in nearly every line. Rhyming helps engage the reader by appealing to their level of

interest. Poe also uses the mood of the poem through emphasizing the irony surrounding the journey of

the knight. Setting a mood to the poem enhances the poem through helping the reader more clearly

understand how the subjects and events within the poem might function. Conclusively, the poem presents

the reader with the use of symbols, historical perspective, and literary devices.

The poem “Eldorado” in essence has a deeper, core significance than its outer story. He

primarily uses the knight and the shadows as a way to convey a deeper meaning. He uses it in

such a way to signify a reflection and moral outlook on the world. He takes into account the

Gold Rush through his poem as well when looked as from a historical perspective. He also uses

literary devices to enhance the poem and engage the reader. He uses these literary devices such

as symbols, internal rhyming, and mood. Undoubtedly, the poem is a great foundation for the use

of many different techniques to engage the reader in deeper thought in from an analytical,

historical, and literature viewpoint.