Final answer:
The subjects of 'The Bells' in the first two sections are the celebratory silver bells and the romantic golden wedding bells, both embodying joyful human experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subjects of the first two sections of Poe's poem 'The Bells' revolve around the joyful and mirthful experiences that bells can represent. In the first section, silver bells are a symbol of celebration and merriment, suggesting the sound of sleigh bells during winter, which invoke happiness and light-heartedness. The second section shifts to a more romantic and euphoric mood corresponding to golden wedding bells, which signify love and the unity of marriage.
Both sections are connected through the overarching theme of the lifecycle of human experiences and emotions, with the first two stages being joyful and filled with light. Textual evidence for the joyous occasions includes phrases such as "What a world of merriment their melody foretells!" in the silver bells and "What a world of happiness their harmony foretells!" in the golden bells.