The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe is a poem about the human thirst for self-torture. The narrator is trying to find relief “surcease of sorrow” from his grief at the death of his love, Lenore. Beauty and grief are only slightly removed from each other; they both have the capacity to move a man to tears. This poem uses symbolism to describe beauty and inevitability.
Inevitability, that is what “The Raven” symbolizes. The dark and gloomy appearance of the raven helps to lend to the sense of inevitability. Speaking nothing more than a single word, “nevermore.” The presence of the raven could be mistaken for something that it is not, perhaps a “prophet” or maybe a messenger sent by “thy God.” The Raven with “fiery eyes” and demonic qualities seems to be sent to remind the narrator of sorrows that he wants to forget. Lenore, poor lost Lenore, this beautiful women met an untimely death. The narrator is obsessed with the deceased; he is so grief stricken over her beauty. He rarely talks about anything except how beautiful Lenore was; she was a “rare and radiant maiden for whom the angels name Lenore.” The Bust of Pallas just above his chamber door even symbolizes beauty.
The narrator just can not catch a break, the raven seems to be there to stay and is throwing a shadow over his soul. That shadow will never depart, as the narrator himself says that it will be lifted, nevermore.” In conclusion, the narrator is torturing himself with the beauty of Lenore, so much that he can never get over her and he will torture himself forever.
The Essay on Edgar Allan Poe Raven Lenore Died
Edgar Allan Poe " Quoth the Raven, Nevermore." Excerpt from "The Raven" Grief, revenge, and unsurpassed sorrow. Few authors can replicate these feelings as well as Edgar Allan Poe. "The Raven", "Lenore", and "Annabel Lee" all refer to an instance where the narrator is grieving over a lost loved one. See! on yon drear and rigid bier low lies thy love, Lenore! Come! let the burial rite be read- the ...
