Romanticism In Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven
The death of a loved one can truly tear an individual apart. This intense and heartbreaking emotion can be seen in Edgar Allan Poe’s most famous poem, “The Raven.” The poem tells the story of a young man who mourns over the death of his beloved, Lenore. One night, a mysterious raven appears at his window who only says, “Nevermore.” This poem was written during the literary era, Romanticism, which went from 1798 - 1870. The era stressed on an individual’s feelings and imagination. “The Raven” displays the characteristics of Romanticism through its literary features that pull on the readers’ emotions, making them feel depressed. The writing style of the poem was influenced by Romanticism because the narrator expressly conveys his passionate
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In “The Raven”, the young man is melodramatic. He desperately wishes for his love to come back. “Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever / dared to dream before … And the only word there spoken was the / whispered word, ‘Lenore?’” (48-49; 52-53). He had hoped the random knocking on his door was from Lenore, but that is impossible due to the fact that she is deceased. The knock was made by a bird, the Raven. To every word the young man says, it replies with a single word, “Nevermore.” At first, he thought the foolish bird had learned it from its master but he mourns for Lenore to it anyways. “But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy / into smiling...” (124-125). The bird seems to charm the young man and starts to be compulsive towards it. Soon, the bird would end up triggering his insanity. “‘Prophet!’ said I, ‘thing of evil! - prophet / still, if bird or devil! - …’” (157-158). He starts to think that the Raven is an oracle sent to him by the Devil. “‘Be that word our sign in parting, bird or / fiend," I shrieked, upstarting-’” (175-176). These lines depict the downfall of the young man. The Raven’s “Nevermore” finally ticks him off, therefore, he tells it to get lost. The bird had caused him to be frantic; to have a mental breakdown. Thus, this poem portrays that the death of a loved one can cause someone to be illogical and mentally
In “The Raven”, the young man is melodramatic. He desperately wishes for his love to come back. “Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever / dared to dream before … And the only word there spoken was the / whispered word, ‘Lenore?’” (48-49; 52-53). He had hoped the random knocking on his door was from Lenore, but that is impossible due to the fact that she is deceased. The knock was made by a bird, the Raven. To every word the young man says, it replies with a single word, “Nevermore.” At first, he thought the foolish bird had learned it from its master but he mourns for Lenore to it anyways. “But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy / into smiling...” (124-125). The bird seems to charm the young man and starts to be compulsive towards it. Soon, the bird would end up triggering his insanity. “‘Prophet!’ said I, ‘thing of evil! - prophet / still, if bird or devil! - …’” (157-158). He starts to think that the Raven is an oracle sent to him by the Devil. “‘Be that word our sign in parting, bird or / fiend," I shrieked, upstarting-’” (175-176). These lines depict the downfall of the young man. The Raven’s “Nevermore” finally ticks him off, therefore, he tells it to get lost. The bird had caused him to be frantic; to have a mental breakdown. Thus, this poem portrays that the death of a loved one can cause someone to be illogical and mentally