In The Raven by Poe, the Raven is the personification of fate/death/loss. It is inescapable. It comes tapping on everyones door. The blackness of the Raven is a traditional symbol of death. Bleak December, dying ember are clear allusions to loss/death. The poet laments over his lost Lenore whose radiance is unparalleled. In contrast to the bleak blackness of the Raven whose annoying sqawks cannot be silenced. The question is does the man fear death coming to him, as it did Lenore, or the fear that the ghost of Lenore is coming to pay him a visit? Or perhaps, a prophet from whom wisdom may come? The fowl bird continually squawking NEVERMORE to every question put to it, particularly the one most on the man's mind - shall he ever find peace over the loss of his beloved Lenore - to which the Raven replies, "NEVERMORE".
This is one of Poe's best know works. Please do take time to read it thoroughly - several times if need be, keeping in mind the points I've discussed. More importantly, see if you see more meaning than I have pointed out. Dissect the work, stanza by stanza, and in it's whole. I first read this poem in Ernest in High School and loved it. I then went on to want to real all of Poe's other works.
This is one of Poe's best know works. Please do take time to read it thoroughly - several times if need be, keeping in mind the points I've discussed. More importantly, see if you see more meaning than I have pointed out. Dissect the work, stanza by stanza, and in it's whole. I first read this poem in Ernest in High School and loved it. I then went on to want to real all of Poe's other works.
