Symbol Analysis
In contrast to the Ghouls, these spirits might seem creepy at first, but they turn out to be exactly what the speaker is looking for. They are the ghosts of people who have died, and their presence is soothing for him. When these guys show up, things start to change, and a world that seemed evil and disgusting suddenly doesn't seem so bad.
- Line 34: Poe never actually says that these are ghosts, but the phrase "sheeted memories" is a really beautiful way to call up that image. We can see their lonely faces floating by, draped in cloth, visible, but impossible to see clearly. It might be the saddest part of a poem that's pretty sad already. Still, there's something really lovely about it, too.