Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven

In Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven,” the narrator is subject to emotional and psychological effects of loneliness. In typical Poe fashion, this dark and haunting poem resonates with a reader. The sorrow of the narrator is felt through the words Poe has written and designates what I believe to be the lowest point of this man’s life. In essence, I can relate to the pain the narrator feels as I have lost loved ones throughout my life as well.

Throughout this poem, Poe’s typically dark, mysterious, and chilling imagery is prominent. The setting of this poem is simply dark. In the first line, Poe states that the author is awoken “upon a midnight dreary,” instantly projected a black shade over the entire poem. The raven itself is also a symbol of darkness and despair that Poe incorporated into his poem. Ravens are solid black in color and are often associated with “dark” subjects such as death and witchcraft. …show more content…
Poe writes how the narrator is “weak and weary” over a “forgotten love.” This line implies that the narrator has just recently had a loved one pass away. I can sympathize with the narrator’s “weak and weary” physical state as I understand how draining loss can be. The narrator also expresses his loneliness after the whispers "Lenore?" and believes he hears a response, even though no one is there. Later in the poem, when speaking to the raven, the narrator begs for nepenthe, which is a potion that induces