Figurative Language In Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven
In the poem The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe, he uses many different types of figurative language and spiritual references to tell a grieving story of a depressed man. Poe also has had many struggles including losing the love of his life to an illness. There are many references to the narrator's grief throughout The Raven. The seventh stanza references the Bible, showing there is hope in a time of darkness. In the seventh stanza, Poe demonstrates allusion, alliteration, and personification.
“...Raven of the saintly days of yore;...” is an allusion to a verse in the Bible. 1 Kings 17:1-6 stating that God told ravens to bring Elijah food every day if he went where God told him to go. Poe uses 1 Kings to show that the Raven is here to help not harm …show more content…
In The Raven, he specifically uses this type of figurative language in line 37 with the words “flung”, “flit”, and “flutter.” Poe uses alliteration again in line 39 with the words “stopped” and “stayed.” Poe uses alliteration to keep the flow of the poem. This also makes it easier for the reader to read the way Poe intended for it to be read. Alliteration in The Raven is used to create an onomatopoeia giving more life the poem.
Poe used personification of the raven in the seventh stanza. Poe uses the word “obeisance” in line 39. The narrator is annoyed with the raven because he does not show a gesture of respect to him when he enters through the window. The narrator also states that the raven perches above the chamber door with “mien of a lord or a lady,” meaning that the raven had the manners of a royalty. Using personification helps the reader know the impact the raven has on the narrator. Personification also leads the reader to an added level of mystery.
The Raven is the narrator's breaking point for losing the love of his life. The narrator begins to believe that the raven is his love, Lenore. Just like the raven’s in the verse from 1 Kings and Pallas, the raven was sent to bring wisdom to the narrator during this difficult time in his life. There are critics that feel Poe’s poems are based on his life and feelings. This poem is Poe’s way of dealing with all the tragedies he had dealt with in his
“...Raven of the saintly days of yore;...” is an allusion to a verse in the Bible. 1 Kings 17:1-6 stating that God told ravens to bring Elijah food every day if he went where God told him to go. Poe uses 1 Kings to show that the Raven is here to help not harm …show more content…
In The Raven, he specifically uses this type of figurative language in line 37 with the words “flung”, “flit”, and “flutter.” Poe uses alliteration again in line 39 with the words “stopped” and “stayed.” Poe uses alliteration to keep the flow of the poem. This also makes it easier for the reader to read the way Poe intended for it to be read. Alliteration in The Raven is used to create an onomatopoeia giving more life the poem.
Poe used personification of the raven in the seventh stanza. Poe uses the word “obeisance” in line 39. The narrator is annoyed with the raven because he does not show a gesture of respect to him when he enters through the window. The narrator also states that the raven perches above the chamber door with “mien of a lord or a lady,” meaning that the raven had the manners of a royalty. Using personification helps the reader know the impact the raven has on the narrator. Personification also leads the reader to an added level of mystery.
The Raven is the narrator's breaking point for losing the love of his life. The narrator begins to believe that the raven is his love, Lenore. Just like the raven’s in the verse from 1 Kings and Pallas, the raven was sent to bring wisdom to the narrator during this difficult time in his life. There are critics that feel Poe’s poems are based on his life and feelings. This poem is Poe’s way of dealing with all the tragedies he had dealt with in his