Edgar Allan Poe´s The Raven "was the poem that finally made him popular as it popped up in a number of magazines and newspapers" (Shucard, 1990: 120). This may be so, among other things, because of the extraordinary usage of refrain, alliteration, assonance and the complex structure of this poem. In this term paper I am going to concentrate on the structure of the poem. First I will give a general overview of the structure and then will give a more detailed appreciation of the poem. I have chosen two contrasting aspects which I will analyze in more detail: the contrast in the course of the conversation between the raven and the speaker and the contrast between heaven and hell. Then I will make a short sidestep to discuss the credibility of the raven. This is necessary for the confirmation of some elements of the contrast between heaven and hell. Finally I will examine the elements of and the ideas presented by lost love. The individual elements of this poem can not be separated totally from each other, as these said elements often overlap. Sometimes, I feel that it is not possible to discuss something in full detail in one part of this work, as the same elements appear later again in another context, where the discussion can assume new and different aspects.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Structure of the poem
2.1. The three parts
2.2. Rhyme and refrain
3. Contrasts in the poem
3.1. Contrast in the course of the conversation
3.2. Heaven and hell
3.2.1. God contra devil
3.2.2. Angels contra demon
3.3.3. Contrast between heaven and hell
4. The raven's credibility
5. The lost love
6. Conclusion
Objectives & Key Themes
This paper examines the structural complexity and thematic depth of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven." The primary research focus lies in analyzing how the poem's formal elements—such as rhyme, refrain, and narrative structure—intertwine with the thematic exploration of grief, the dichotomy of heaven and hell, and the psychological state of the mourning protagonist.
- Analysis of the poem's narrative structure and its three distinct parts.
- Examination of the interplay between rhyme, refrain, and the psychological effects on the speaker.
- Investigation of contrasting binary elements: God vs. devil and heaven vs. hell.
- Evaluation of the raven's credibility and its symbolic role as a harbinger of despair.
- The overarching theme of unceasing grief and lost love as the driver of the narrative.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1. Contrast in the course of the conversation
There is a sharp contrast in the course of the conversation between the raven and the speaker. During the bird's presence in the chamber (7-18 stanza) the speaker increasingly changes his attitude towards the raven. First he is happy about his visitor and is joking about the bird but later on he becomes irritated because of the birds presence and behavior.
In the first part, which lasts until the end of the ninth stanza the speaker is still not suspicious towards the raven, as a matter of fact "an air of the fantastic approaching as nearly to the ludicrous as was admissible - is given to the raven's entrance. He comes in 'with many a flirt and flutter'" (Poe, 1965: 205). The imagination of the speaker, that the raven should greet him on entering is also ridiculous: it is just a bird, it will not say for example 'good evening', even though, the speaker says "he" and not "it" at this point when he is talking about the bird, as if he was talking about a person. The raven, who did not make the least obeisance, "[p]erched upon a bust of Pallas" (41), "with mien of lord or lady" (40), looks so comical as to cause a change in the mood of the speaker: "[t]hen this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling" (43). For a moment he stops thinking about his pain, his grief concerning Lenore disappears for a little while. He is now fully concentrating on the raven whose peculiar entrance encourages him to continue in this lighter mood.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the poem's popularity and outlines the study's focus on structure, contrasting aspects, and the theme of lost love.
2. Structure of the poem: This section explores the narrative division of the poem into three parts and analyzes how formal features like rhyme and refrain contribute to the poem's atmosphere.
3. Contrasts in the poem: This chapter investigates the shifting relationship between the speaker and the raven, as well as the religious and mythological dichotomies between heaven, hell, and divine/demonic forces.
4. The raven's credibility: This section discusses whether the raven functions as a truthful messenger or merely a reflection of the speaker's own descending psychological state.
5. The lost love: This chapter contextualizes the poem's dark and gloomy atmosphere, arguing that the loss of Lenore is the central force that drives the speaker's despair.
6. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes how the complex structural and literary elements of the poem coalesce to express the permanent and paralyzing nature of grief.
Keywords
Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven, Lost Love, Grief, Narrative Structure, Rhyme Scheme, Refrain, Heaven and Hell, Symbolism, Psychology of Mourning, Literature Analysis, Seraphim, Demon, Despair, Lenore.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the structural and thematic intricacies of Edgar Allan Poe’s "The Raven," specifically focusing on how the poem's formal qualities mirror the speaker's psychological journey through grief.
Which central themes are examined in the study?
The core themes include the nature of unceasing grief, the contrast between religious and demonic archetypes, and the psychological impact of loss on the individual.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to demonstrate how structural elements—such as rhyme, refrain, and personification—are inextricably linked to the narrative development and the portrayal of the protagonist's lost love.
Which methodology is used to analyze the poem?
The analysis utilizes a close reading of the text, incorporating literary theory, symbolism from authoritative dictionaries, and insights from Poe’s own essay "The Philosophy of Composition" to validate the findings.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The body covers the three-part narrative structure, the rhyme scheme, the evolving conversation between the speaker and the bird, the symbolism of heaven and hell, and the analysis of the speaker's credibility regarding the raven.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
Key terms include Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven, grief, lost love, symbolism, and psychological despair.
How does the author interpret the raven’s character in the poem?
The author interprets the raven not necessarily as a supernatural entity, but as a catalyst that reflects the speaker’s own inner demons and his subconscious realization that his sorrow will never end.
What is the significance of the "nevermore" refrain?
The refrain is identified as a tool of despair that resonates with the speaker's desire to cling to the memory of Lenore, while simultaneously acting as an inescapable reminder of her permanent absence.
- Quote paper
- Renate Bagossy (Author), 2001, Analysis of the structure, contrasts, and complex of the lost love in The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/20474
