The Raven
Symbolism
     In Poe's "The Raven" the most obvious symbol is the Raven its self. Why would Poe use a non-reasoning creature to recite the refrain of "nevermore?" I believe Poe uses the non-reasoning raven because to us it would make little to no sense, and frustrate us because were a reasoning creature that can answer the question. It is also important that the answers to the questions are already known, I think it helps to illustrate the self-torture the narrator exposes himself to.
     Another symbol is the Pallas. In the whole room the raven decides to perch on the Greek Goddess of Wisdom, why? Could he be trying to lead us to believe that the raven speaks from wisdom? Or was Poe just using a word only some could interpret?
     Also why does Poe use midnight and December for the time the story takes place? I figure midnight and December both represent an end to something, and also the anticipation of something new. A new year comes after midnight, also a new day; and December represents the end of a year.
     Finally when I picture the room the narrator is positioned in, I picture him lonely and sorrowful, and the richly furnished room reminds him of his lost love, Lenore. And the tempest (storm) outside shows more of his isolation, and is a contrast between the calmness of the chamber and the tempestuous night.
     


I believe Poe put no moral in " The Raven", but his stories were more like puzzles that he wanted people to poke and pry at , and in the end to accomplish nothing. He has accomplished his goals by making many Poe readers go a little insane by trying to figure out the logic of his insane stories.

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Raven, Common The raven is a fierce and crafty bird which widely figures in native mythology as a mischief maker (photo by Brian M. Wolitski).