TheRaven---EdgarAllanPoe.docVIP

The Raven---Edgar Allan Poe The Raven is a narrative poem by American writer Edgar Allan Poe. First published in January 1845, the poem is often noted for its musicality, stylized language, and supernatural atmosphere. It tells of a talking ravens mysterious visit to a distraught lover, tracing the mans slow descent into madness. The lover, often identified as being a student, is lamenting the loss of his love, Lenore. Sitting on a bust of Pallas, the raven seems to further instigate his distress with its constant repetition of the word Nevermore. The poem makes use of a number of folk and classical references. The Raven follows an unnamed narrator on a night in December who sits reading forgotten lore?as a way to forget the loss of his love, Lenore. A rapping at [his] chamber door?reveals nothing, but excites his soul to burning.?A similar rapping, slightly louder, is heard at his window. When he goes to investigate, a raven steps into his chamber. Paying no attention to the man, the raven perches on a?bust?of?Pallas?above the door. Amused by the ravens comically serious disposition, the man asks that the bird tell him its name. The ravens only answer is Nevermore. The narrator is surprised that the raven can talk, though at this point it has said nothing further. The narrator remarks to himself that his friend the raven will soon fly out of his life, just as other friends have flown before?along with his previous hopes. As if answering, the raven responds again with Nevermore. The narrator reasons that the bird learned the word Nevermore from some unhappy master and that it is the only word it knows. Even so, the narrator pulls his chair directly in front of the raven, determined to learn more about it. He thinks for a moment in silence, and his mind wanders back to his lost Lenore. He thinks the air grows denser and feels the presence of angels, and wonders if God is sending him a sign that he is to forget Lenore. The bird again replies in the negative, suggesti