Symbols In The Raven By Edgar Allan Poe
Symbols are used in all of American Literature , this can be accounted for in any book , narrative , or essay . Though the amount of symbols mediates between novel to novel , the general status remains the same . This status remains that symbols are a great way to enhance writing . In the course of literature, symbolism has been used for water, meaning the holy spirit or an apple meaning the future or the past . Symbols are items , people , or (ironically) symbols that mean something completely different .
The first of my examples will spawn from the poem, The Raven, written by Edgar Allan Poe. Symbols in this story can include: Nevermore, the raven, , the darkness, and the weather. Nevermore can be related to the knowledge of something the narrator has done, this may be why he repeats never more. Next, the darkness when the narrator opens the door could symbolize loneliness in the man. “Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door: This it is and nothing more” and the previous mention of the narrator wishing for it to be tomorrow and wanting his books to end his sorrow. This shows evidence of possible loneliness. Then, the weather, being stormy, can be there just for a setting, or it can be there to represent the steady down fall into insanity for our narrator. …show more content…
The next set of examples has been derived from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass an American Slave.
There is a large plethora of symbolism in this narrative, as Douglass had an innate way of using symbols. One instance of his symbolism in in the 6 of Douglass’s novels, where, when Douglass meets his new mistress and he describes her as a pure being. This is a direct symbol of, say, Jesus; who lived in a pure existence in the
bible.
The final source comes from the book, How to Read Literature Like a Professor. While this book does not contain symbols, it does, however, give examples of symbols. This book shows the ways symbols have been used throughout American history.
In conclusion, the usage of symbols are not always very explicit in their meanings. Through the ages of American literature the usage of symbols has not changed at all. From the slave times of Frederick Douglass to the gothic horror novels of Edgar Allen Poe, symbols have held the same uses. Symbols will always help to enrich writing and help to give a deeper meaning to your words. As a final thought, symbols can mean a great plethora of things, but they will always stand for another.
Work Cited
Poe, Edgar Allen. The Raven. Literature The American Experience. Glenview, Illinois. Pearson. 2012. Print.
Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. New York City: Barnes & Noble Classics, 2003. Print
Foster, Thomas C. How to Read Literature like a Professor. New York City: Harper Perennial, 2014. Print.
The first of my examples will spawn from the poem, The Raven, written by Edgar Allan Poe. Symbols in this story can include: Nevermore, the raven, , the darkness, and the weather. Nevermore can be related to the knowledge of something the narrator has done, this may be why he repeats never more. Next, the darkness when the narrator opens the door could symbolize loneliness in the man. “Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door: This it is and nothing more” and the previous mention of the narrator wishing for it to be tomorrow and wanting his books to end his sorrow. This shows evidence of possible loneliness. Then, the weather, being stormy, can be there just for a setting, or it can be there to represent the steady down fall into insanity for our narrator. …show more content…
The next set of examples has been derived from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass an American Slave.
There is a large plethora of symbolism in this narrative, as Douglass had an innate way of using symbols. One instance of his symbolism in in the 6 of Douglass’s novels, where, when Douglass meets his new mistress and he describes her as a pure being. This is a direct symbol of, say, Jesus; who lived in a pure existence in the
bible.
The final source comes from the book, How to Read Literature Like a Professor. While this book does not contain symbols, it does, however, give examples of symbols. This book shows the ways symbols have been used throughout American history.
In conclusion, the usage of symbols are not always very explicit in their meanings. Through the ages of American literature the usage of symbols has not changed at all. From the slave times of Frederick Douglass to the gothic horror novels of Edgar Allen Poe, symbols have held the same uses. Symbols will always help to enrich writing and help to give a deeper meaning to your words. As a final thought, symbols can mean a great plethora of things, but they will always stand for another.
Work Cited
Poe, Edgar Allen. The Raven. Literature The American Experience. Glenview, Illinois. Pearson. 2012. Print.
Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. New York City: Barnes & Noble Classics, 2003. Print
Foster, Thomas C. How to Read Literature like a Professor. New York City: Harper Perennial, 2014. Print.