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Analysis of “The Raven” by Edgar Alan Poe

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Analysis of “The Raven” by Edgar Alan Poe


I. Introduction

Thesis statement: “The Raven” is one of Poe's most renowned masterpieces, a poem imbued with themes of death and sorrow as well as deep symbolism.

II. Edgar Alan Poe made death of his wife and his grief caused by this unfortunate event a central topic of the poem.

A. Poe has transformed his sorrowful emotions into the lines of his poem.

III. Such symbols as raven demonstrate the poet's focus on the topic of death.

A. The raven is the embodiment of his feeling of despair.

IV. Conclusion

Analysis of “The Raven” by Edgar Alan Poe

Introduction

Edgar Alan Poe is one of the most prominent poets of the 19th century and the founder of symbolic poetry that is largely based on the psychological analysis. “The Raven” is a shining example of such poetry. This literary work was first published on January 26, 1845 on the pages of the New York periodical called “Evening Mirror”. It immediately gained immense popularity and is rightfully considered one of the best works ever created by this author. “The Raven” is one of Poe's most renowned masterpieces imbued with the themes of death and sorrow as well as deep symbolism.

The Themes of Death and Sorrow

In order to better understand the meaning of “The Raven”, it would be necessary to gain some insight into the story behind the creation of this poem. The author did not try to hide the fact that he chose his wife Virginia Klemm as the prototype of the main lyrical protagonist of “The Raven”. She died of tuberculosis at a rather young age. Poe tried to cope with the loss by doing what he did best – writing. The linguistic atmosphere of “The Raven” is filled with dark sorrow and death. However, Poe's grief is not a natural emotional reaction of a person who has just experienced such a tragedy. His grief has transformed into the mental and psychological dependence on death which Poe cannot or does not want to overcome. “From my books surcease of sorrow – sorrow for the lost Lenore./ For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore. Nameless here for evermore” (10-13).

Such reiterations as “sorrow” and “Lenore” signify the protracted crisis of the enslaved soul that cannot break the vicious circle of despair. The fundamental notions of “The Raven” are based on the contradistinction of the past when he and his loved one were happy together and the frustrating present embodied in the ominous black bird.

Profound Symbolism in “The Raven”

It is not a coincidence that Poe chose this bird as the main symbol of the poem since the raven was always considered a harbinger of grief and bereavement. The appearance of the bird in the poem is preceded by a special disposition that takes place at midnight when the poet hears an indistinct knock at the door. All symbolists, including Poe, tend to attach importance to faint sounds, rustle, whispers, and presentiments. The author deliberately exacerbates the emotional tension, ambiguity, and feeling of the unknown from the very beginning and then keeps it to the very last word.

The raven that flew into the window and sat in the corner of the room conversed with the author and answered all his questions with one word – “Nevermore”. The raven itself symbolizes the idea of fatal destiny: “the prophet still, if bird or devil!” (80). “Nevermore” is a complex word that consists of two adverbs, intensifies the feeling of despair, and deepens the meaning of inevitability and hopelessness of death. The conversation with the raven leads the lyrical protagonist of the poem to believe that he will never overcome his grief because the raven, being the embodiment of this feeling, will never leave him. Nevermore is a poetic symbol filled with tragic sense, a keyword that determines the mood of the entire poem that is both sorrowful and exalted.

Conclusion

“The Raven” is arguably the darkest and the most meaningful poem ever written by Edgar Alan Poe. It was inspired by the personal tragedy, the death of his wife, which the author turned into the ominous masterpiece. Every line of this poem is filled with symbols that have multiple meanings but the notion of endless sorrow is woven through all words and lines of “The Raven”.

The article was written by professional writer Vivienne Norton, more her papers you can find at buy essays service.

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