“The Raven" - Poem by Edgar Allan Poe
“The Raven" is a dark, narrative poem about a grieving man who is visited by a mysterious raven late at night. As the bird repeatedly answers “Nevermore,” the man’s sorrow over his lost love, Lenore, deepens into despair and madness.
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe – Academic Overview
The Raven is a narrative poem written by Edgar Allan Poe and first published in 1845. The poem presents a first-person speaker who is mourning the death of his beloved, Lenore, and struggling to cope with his grief and loneliness.
The poem is set on a dark December night, which reflects the narrator’s mental and emotional state. The arrival of the Raven marks a turning point in the poem. Although the bird speaks only one word—“Nevermore”—its repeated response intensifies the narrator’s sorrow and gradually pushes him toward despair and madness.
One of the central themes of the poem is irreversible loss. The Raven symbolizes the permanence of death and the impossibility of reunion with Lenore. The word “Nevermore” emphasizes the idea that hope, comfort, and relief from grief are forever denied to the speaker.
Poe’s use of sound devices, such as repetition, internal rhyme, and a steady rhythm, creates a musical and haunting effect. These techniques help maintain a gloomy atmosphere and reflect the narrator’s obsessive thoughts. The poem’s strict structure contrasts with the speaker’s declining mental control, highlighting his psychological conflict.
In conclusion, The Raven is a powerful exploration of grief, memory, and obsession. Its emotional depth, rich symbolism, and distinctive poetic style make it an important work in English literature and a lasting example of Gothic poetry.
1. Original Text of the Poem "The Raven":
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
“’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door—
Only this and nothing more.”
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember writhed its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow;—vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore—
For the rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels name Lenore—
Nameless here for evermore.
And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
“’Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door—
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;—
This it is and nothing more.”
Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
“Sir,” said I, “or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you”—here I opened wide the door;—
Darkness there and nothing more.
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, “Lenore?”
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, “Lenore!”—
Merely this and nothing more.
Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
“Surely,” said I, “surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore—
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—
’Tis the wind and nothing more!”
Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore;
Not the least obeisance made he; not an minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door—
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door—
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
“Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,” I said, “art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!”
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning—little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door—
Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as “Nevermore.”
But the Raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing farther then he uttered—not a feather then he fluttered—
Till I scarcely more than muttered “Other friends have flown before—
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.”
Then the bird said “Nevermore.”
Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
“Doubtless,” said I, “what it utters is its only stock and store
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore—
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of ‘Never—nevermore.’”
But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore—
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking “Nevermore.”
This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom’s core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion’s velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o’er,
But whose velvet-violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o’er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!
Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose footfalls tinkled on the tufted floor.
“Wretch,” I cried, “thy God hath lent thee—by these angels he hath sent thee
Respite—respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore;
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!”
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
“Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!—
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted—
On this home by Horror haunted—tell me truly, I implore—
Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore!”
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
“Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us—by that God we both adore—
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden, whom the angels name Lenore—
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels name Lenore.”
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
“Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!” I shrieked, upstarting—
“Get thee back into the tempest and the Night’s Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!—quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!”
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted—nevermore!
2. Paraphrasing of the poem (an ode) “The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe Line by line:
Stanza 1
1. Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
👉 The Poet describes himself thinking deeply late at night while feeling tired and exhausted.
2. Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—
👉 He is reading strange and ancient books filled with old knowledge.
3. While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
👉 He almost falls asleep when he suddenly hears a knocking sound.
4. As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
👉 It sounds as if someone is softly knocking on his bedroom door.
5. “’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door—
👉 He quietly tells himself that it must be a visitor at the door.
6. Only this and nothing more.”
👉 He convinces himself that there is nothing mysterious about it.
Stanza 2
7. Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December;
👉 The Poet clearly recalls that the incident took place during a cold December.
8. And each separate dying ember writhed its ghost upon the floor.
👉 He notices the fading fire casting ghost-like shadows on the floor.
9. Eagerly I wished the morrow;—vainly I had sought to borrow
👉 He desperately longs for the next day and tries unsuccessfully to find relief.
10. From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore—
👉 He hopes his books will help him forget the pain of losing Lenore.
11. For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore—
👉 He describes her as beautiful and pure, like someone loved by angels.
12. Nameless here for evermore.
👉 She will never again exist in his world.
Stanza 3
13. And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
👉 The Poet hears the soft, mysterious movement of the purple curtains.
14. Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
👉 It frightens him intensely in a way he has never experienced.
15. So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
👉 He repeats words to himself to calm his rapidly beating heart.
16. “’Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door—
👉 He tells himself again that it is only a visitor seeking entry.
17. Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;—
👉 He reassures himself that it is merely someone arriving late.
18. This it is and nothing more.”
👉 He insists there is nothing supernatural about the sound.
Stanza 4
19. Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
👉 The Poet gathers courage and decides to act without hesitation.
20. “Sir,” said I, “or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
👉 He politely apologizes to whoever might be outside.
21. But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
👉 He explains that he was asleep when the knocking began.
22. And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
👉 He says the knocking was so soft that he could barely hear it.
23. That I scarce was sure I heard you”—here I opened wide the door;—
👉 He admits his uncertainty and opens the door fully.
24. Darkness there and nothing more.
👉 He finds only darkness and no one outside.
Stanza 5
25. Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
👉 The poet stares into the darkness for a long time, filled with fear and curiosity.
26. Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;
👉 He imagines strange and frightening thoughts beyond normal human experience.
27. But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
👉 He hears nothing, as the silence remains complete.
28. And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, “Lenore?”
👉 He softly speaks the name of Lenore into the darkness.
29. This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, “Lenore!”—
👉 He hears only his own voice echoing the name back to him.
30. Merely this and nothing more.
👉 There is no response except the echo.
Stanza 6
31. Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
👉 The poet returns to his room feeling emotionally disturbed.
32. Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
👉 He hears the knocking again, this time louder.
33. “Surely,” said I, “surely that is something at my window lattice;
👉 He assumes that the sound must be coming from the window.
34. Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore—
👉 He decides to investigate the cause of the sound.
35. Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—
👉 He tries to calm himself before checking.
36. ’Tis the wind and nothing more!”
👉 He convinces himself that the noise is only caused by the wind.
Stanza 7
37. Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
👉 The Poet opens the window suddenly, and something moves energetically.
38. In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore;
👉 It is revealed to be a dignified Raven, seeming ancient and noble.
39. Not the least obeisance made he; not an minute stopped or stayed he;
👉 He shows no sign of respect and does not pause or hesitate even for a moment.
40. But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door—
👉 It confidently sits above his chamber door like royalty.
41. Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door—
👉 It settles on the statue of Pallas above the door.
42. Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
👉 It remains there motionless and silent.
Stanza 8
43. Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
👉 The poet feels slightly amused despite his sadness.
44. By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
👉 He notices its serious and dignified appearance.
45. “Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,” I said, “art sure no craven,
👉 He speaks to the bird, saying it may look rough but is not cowardly.
46. Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—
👉 He describes it as frightening and ancient, coming from a dark place.
47. Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!”
👉 He asks the bird to tell him its noble name from the dark, underworld realm.
48. Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
👉 It responds with the single word “Nevermore.”
Stanza 9
49. Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
👉 The poet is astonished that such an awkward bird can speak clearly.
50. Though its answer little meaning—little relevancy bore;
👉 He realizes the reply does not truly make sense.
51. For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
👉 He reasons that no person has ever experienced such a thing.
52. Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door—
👉 He thinks no one has ever seen a bird sitting above their door.
53. Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
👉 He emphasizes how unusual the situation is.
54. With such name as “Nevermore.”
👉 He finds the bird’s strange name even more unbelievable.
Stanza 10
55. But the Raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
👉 The poet observes that the Raven sits alone and speaks only one word.
56. That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
👉 He feels as if the bird pours its entire soul into that single word.
57. Nothing farther then he uttered—not a feather then he fluttered—
👉 It remains completely still and says nothing else.
58. Till I scarcely more than muttered “Other friends have flown before—
👉 He quietly reflects that others have left him in the past.
59. On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.”
👉 He assumes the bird will leave just as his hopes have disappeared.
60. Then the bird said “Nevermore.”
👉 It replies again with the same hopeless word.
Stanza 11
61. Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
👉 The poet is shocked by how perfectly the Raven’s answer fits his thought.
62. “Doubtless,” said I, “what it utters is its only stock and store
👉 He reasons that the bird knows only this one word.
63. Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
👉 He imagines the bird learned the word from a miserable former owner.
64. Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore—
👉 He thinks that owner was constantly followed by suffering.
65. Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
👉 He imagines the man’s hopeful songs turned into sad funeral songs.
66. Of ‘Never—nevermore’.”
👉 He concludes that the word represents endless despair.
Stanza 12
67. But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy into smiling,
👉The poet finds himself oddly amused again by the Raven.
68. Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and door;
👉 He brings a chair and sits directly in front of it.
69. Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
👉 He relaxes into the soft cushion and begins thinking deeply.
70. Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore—
👉 He connects one thought to another about the bird’s meaning.
71. What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
👉 He reflects on the bird’s frightening and strange appearance.
72. Meant in croaking “Nevermore.”
👉 He wonders what the repeated word truly signifies.
Stanza 13
73. This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
👉 The poet sits silently, thinking deeply without speaking.
74. To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom’s core;
👉 He feels as if the bird’s intense gaze pierces his heart.
75. This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
👉 He continues reflecting while resting his head comfortably.
76. On the cushion’s velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o’er,
👉 He leans on the velvet cushion illuminated by the lamp.
77. But whose velvet-violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o’er,
👉 He recalls that the softly lit velvet cushion once held a beloved person.
78. She shall press, ah, nevermore!
👉 He realizes Lenore will never sit there again.
Stanza 14
79. Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
👉 The poet imagines the room filling with a thick, fragrant atmosphere.
80. Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
👉 He imagines angels moving softly around him.
81. “Wretch,” I cried, “thy God hath lent thee—by these angels he hath sent thee
👉 He cries out, believing God has sent comfort through angels.
82. Respite—respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore;
👉 He thinks he is being offered relief from his painful memories.
83. Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!”
👉 He urges himself to accept forgetfulness and escape grief.
84. Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
👉 It again denies him relief with the same word.
Stanza 15
85. “Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!—
👉 The poet angrily calls the Raven an evil prophet.
86. Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
👉 He questions whether it was sent by evil forces or fate.
87. Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted—
👉 He portrays himself as alone but not defeated in a strange, desolate setting.
88. On this home by Horror haunted—tell me truly, I implore—
👉 He begs for a truthful answer in his haunted home.
89. Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore!”
👉 He desperately asks if healing or spiritual comfort exists.
90. Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
👉 It crushes his hope again with its reply.
Stanza 16
91. “Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!
👉 The poet again calls the Raven an evil prophet, whether it is a bird or a demon.
92. By that Heaven that bends above us—by that God we both adore—
👉 He appeals to Heaven and God as witnesses.
93. Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
👉 He asks whether his sorrowful soul will find peace in heaven.
94. It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore—
👉 He asks if he will reunite with Lenore in the afterlife.
95. Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels name Lenore.”
👉 He repeats his desperate hope of embracing her again.
96. Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
👉 It once again rejects any possibility of hope or reunion.
Stanza 17
97. “Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!” I shrieked, upstarting—
👉 The poet angrily declares the word as their final separation.
98. “Get thee back into the tempest and the Night’s Plutonian shore!
👉 He commands it to return to darkness and hell.
99. Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
👉 He insists that the bird leave no trace of the deceit it represents.
100. Leave my loneliness unbroken!—quit the bust above my door!
👉 He begs to be left alone and orders it to leave.
101. Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!”
👉 He metaphorically asks it to stop hurting him and disappear.
102. Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
👉 It refuses to leave or stop tormenting him.
Stanza 18
103. And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
👉 The poet observes that the Raven remains unmoving.
104.On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
👉 It continues to sit on the statue above the door.
105. And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,
👉 He feels the Raven’s eyes look demonic and haunting.
106. And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
👉 He sees its shadow cast ominously by the light.
107. And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
👉 He senses that his soul is imprisoned under the shadow of the Raven.
108. Shall be lifted—nevermore!
👉 He realizes and accepts that his soul will remain trapped in sorrow and despair forever.
3. Stanza-wise paraphrasing of the poem “The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe in a paragraph:
Stanza 1
Original Text:
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
“’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door—
Only this and nothing more.”
Paraphrasing:
In the first stanza the poet describes himself sitting alone late at night, feeling physically tired and mentally exhausted. He is reading strange and ancient books in an attempt to distract his mind. As he begins to drift into sleep, he suddenly hears a soft knocking sound at his chamber door. To calm his fear, he convinces himself that it must be an ordinary visitor and nothing unusual.
Stanza 2
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember writhed its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow;—vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore—
For the rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels name Lenore—
Nameless here for evermore.
In this stanza the poet clearly remembers that the incident took place in the cold and gloomy month of December. The dying fire in the room creates ghost-like shadows, adding to the sad atmosphere. He eagerly waits for morning because the night increases his sorrow. He explains that he is suffering deeply due to the loss of Lenore, and even books cannot help him forget his grief.
Lenore: Represents the poet’s lost beloved. It symbolizes a beautiful woman who has died
Stanza 3
And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
“’Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door—
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;—
This it is and nothing more.”
In this stanza the poet describes how the gentle movement of the purple curtains frightens him intensely. His heart beats rapidly, and his imagination fills him with fear he has never felt before. To steady himself, he repeatedly tells himself that the noise must be caused by a visitor seeking entry and that there is nothing supernatural involved.
Stanza 4
Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,“Sir,” said I, “or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,That I scarce was sure I heard you”—here I opened wide the door;—Darkness there and nothing more.
In this stanza the poet gathers courage and decides to face the situation. He politely speaks to the unseen presence, apologizing for not responding sooner because he had been asleep. When he finally opens the door, he is confronted with complete darkness and realizes that no one is there, which increases the mystery and his unease.
Stanza 5
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, “Lenore?”This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, “Lenore!”—Merely this and nothing more.
In this stanza the poet stands staring into the darkness for a long time, filled with fear and confusion. His imagination runs wild as he thinks of strange possibilities. He softly whispers the name of Lenore, hoping for some response or comfort. However, the only sound he hears is the echo of his own voice, emphasizing his loneliness.
Stanza 6
Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
“Surely,” said I, “surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore—
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—
’Tis the wind and nothing more!”
In this stanza the poet returns to his chamber, feeling restless and disturbed. Soon he hears another knocking sound, louder than before. He assumes that the noise must be coming from the window and decides to investigate. In order to calm his nerves, he reassures himself that the sound is caused by nothing more than the wind.
Stanza 7
Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore;Not the least obeisance made he; not an minute stopped or stayed he;But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door—Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door—Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
In this stanza the poet opens the window, and a Raven suddenly flies into the room. The bird enters confidently and without fear. It does not show any respect or hesitation but flies directly to the bust of Pallas above the door. There it sits quietly, appearing calm and commanding.
Stanza 8
Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,“Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,” I said, “art sure no craven,Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!”Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
In this stanza the poet feels momentarily amused by the Raven’s serious and dignified appearance. Despite his sadness, he smiles and speaks to the bird. He describes it as ancient and mysterious and asks it for its name, imagining it comes from a dark, otherworldly place. The Raven replies with the single word “Nevermore.”
Stanza 9
Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,Though its answer little meaning—little relevancy bore;For we cannot help agreeing that no living human beingEver yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door—Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,With such name as “Nevermore.”
In this stanza the poet expresses his amazement at hearing the Raven speak so clearly. Although the answer seems meaningless, he reflects on how strange the situation is. He reasons that no human has ever seen a bird sitting above a door and speaking a word like “Nevermore.”
Stanza 10
But the Raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke onlyThat one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.Nothing farther then he uttered—not a feather then he fluttered—Till I scarcely more than muttered “Other friends have flown before—On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.”Then the bird said “Nevermore.”
In this stanza the poet notices that the Raven speaks only one word and remains completely still. He assumes that the bird will eventually leave him, just as his friends and hopes have left him in the past. However, when he voices this thought, the Raven again replies “Nevermore,” increasing his despair.
Stanza 11
Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,“Doubtless,” said I, “what it utters is its only stock and storeCaught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful DisasterFollowed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore—Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden boreOf ‘Never—nevermore.’”
In this stanza the poet attempts to explain the Raven’s behaviour logically. He assumes that the bird learned the word from a former master who suffered great sorrow. He imagines that the repeated word represents a life filled with loss and misery, reflecting his own emotional state.
Stanza 12
But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy into smiling,Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and door;Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linkingFancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore—What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yoreMeant in croaking “Nevermore.”
In this stanza the poet brings a chair and sits directly in front of the Raven. He sinks into the soft cushion and begins to think deeply. His thoughts move from one idea to another as he tries to understand the meaning of the bird and its repeated word. His curiosity slowly turns into obsession.
Stanza 13
This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressingTo the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom’s core;This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease recliningOn the cushion’s velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o’er,But whose velvet-violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o’er,She shall press, ah, nevermore!
In this stanza the poet sits silently, absorbed in thought, while the Raven continues to stare at him intensely. His attention shifts to the empty velvet cushion where Lenore once sat. The realization that she will never return fills him with deep emotional pain and sorrow.
Stanza 14
Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censerSwung by Seraphim whose footfalls tinkled on the tufted floor.“Wretch,” I cried, “thy God hath lent thee—by these angels he hath sent theeRespite—respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore;Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!”Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
In this stanza the poet imagines that the room becomes filled with a divine fragrance, as if angels are present. He believes God has sent these angels to bring him relief from his suffering. He urges himself to forget Lenore and accept peace. However, the Raven’s reply “Nevermore” destroys this hope of comfort.
Stanza 15
“Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!—Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted—On this home by Horror haunted—tell me truly, I implore—Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore!”Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
In this stanza the poet becomes angry and calls the Raven an evil prophet. He questions whether the bird is sent by dark forces or fate. In his desperation, he asks if there is any healing or spiritual comfort for his sorrowful soul. Once again, the Raven denies him hope.
Stanza 16
“Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!By that Heaven that bends above us—by that God we both adore—Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,It shall clasp a sainted maiden, whom the angels name Lenore—Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels name Lenore.”Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
In this stanza the poet asks his most important and painful question. He desperately wants to know whether he will be reunited with Lenore in heaven after death. This question represents his final hope for peace. The Raven’s reply “Nevermore” completely crushes him.
Stanza 17
“Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!” I shrieked, upstarting—“Get thee back into the tempest and the Night’s Plutonian shore!Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!Leave my loneliness unbroken!—quit the bust above my door!Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!”Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
In this stanza the poet loses all control and angrily orders the Raven to leave. He feels emotionally wounded and tortured by its presence. He demands that the bird stop hurting him and disappear. The Raven, however, refuses to move or respond differently.
Stanza 18
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sittingOn the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floorShall be lifted—nevermore!
In this final stanza the poet accepts his tragic fate. The Raven remains seated above the door, casting a dark shadow over him. He realizes that his soul is trapped in endless sorrow and despair. The poem ends with the idea that he will never escape this emotional darkness.
4. Central Ideas of the poem “The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe:
1.. The central idea of the poem "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe is the intense grief, sorrow, and psychological torment of a man mourning the death of his beloved Lenore. The poem explores his deep loneliness and the struggle to find comfort or escape from the overwhelming sadness that haunts him. One night, while he is lost in thought, a mysterious Raven enters his room and perches upon the bust of Pallas above his door. The bird speaks only one word, “Nevermore,” which comes to symbolize finality, hopelessness, and the permanence of his suffering. At first, the poet tries to rationalize the bird’s presence, but he gradually understands that it reflects his own fears, despair, and longing. Every question he asks the Raven about Lenore, the possibility of solace, or reunion in the afterlife is met with the same grim, unchanging response. The repeated word “Nevermore” emphasizes the inevitability of loss and the impossibility of escaping his grief. Through dark and gothic imagery, eerie atmosphere, and the poet’s psychological depth, the poem reveals how overwhelming sorrow can dominate the mind and heart. Ultimately, it portrays the crushing pain of losing a loved one and the hopelessness that may never be relieved, leaving the poet trapped in eternal despair.
2. The central idea of the poem "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe is the intense grief and sorrow of a man mourning the loss of his beloved Lenore. The poem shows how he struggles with feelings of loneliness, despair, and longing for comfort. One night, a mysterious Raven visits him and perches above his door. The bird speaks only one word, “Nevermore,” which becomes a symbol of finality and hopelessness. The poet initially tries to rationalize the bird’s presence, but he gradually realizes that it reflects his own fears and sorrow. Each question he asks the Raven about Lenore and his future is met with the same grim reply. The repeated word “Nevermore” emphasizes the permanence of his grief and the impossibility of escaping it. The poem combines gothic imagery, a dark and eerie atmosphere, and the poet’s psychological torment. Ultimately, it highlights the pain of losing a loved one and the crushing weight of hopelessness that can never be lifted.
5. Summary of the poem “The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe:
1. In the poem “The Raven", Edgar Allan Poe tells the story of a man who is mourning the death of his beloved Lenore and is consumed by grief and loneliness. One dark and quiet night, as he sits in his chamber reading old books to distract himself, he hears a soft tapping at his door. When he opens it, there is only darkness, but soon the tapping continues at his window. A mysterious Raven enters and perches upon the bust of Pallas above his door, speaking only one word: “Nevermore.” At first, the poet is curious and somewhat amused, asking the bird questions about its presence, the fate of his soul, and whether he will be reunited with Lenore in the afterlife. Every question is met with the same grim reply, “Nevermore,” which gradually reveals that the Raven symbolizes his unending sorrow and hopelessness. The repeated word emphasizes the permanence of his grief, and the bird’s shadow represents the inescapable burden of his mourning. Through gothic imagery, dark atmosphere, and the poet’s inner torment, the poem explores themes of love, loss, despair, and the permanence of grief, ultimately showing that his soul can never rise above the pain of losing Lenore.
2. The poem The Raven narrates the story of a man who is mourning the loss of his beloved Lenore. One dark and lonely night, he sits in his chamber, reading old books, trying to distract himself from his sorrow. Suddenly, he hears a soft tapping at his door, which initially frightens him. When he opens the door, he finds only darkness and no one there. Soon, the tapping continues at the window, and a mysterious Raven enters the room, perching upon the bust of Pallas above his door. The bird speaks only one word: “Nevermore.”
At first, the poet is curious and amused by the Raven, asking it questions about its origin and its meaning. However, every question he asks about Lenore, the possibility of comfort, or reunion in the afterlife is met with the same grim reply: “Nevermore.” Gradually, the poet realizes that the bird symbolizes his despair, grief, and the permanence of his loss. The repeated word “Nevermore” emphasizes the hopelessness he feels.
Through the use of gothic imagery, dark atmosphere, and the poet’s inner torment, the poem explores themes of love, loss, grief, and the inescapable pain of sorrow. By the end, the poet is left completely desolate, with the Raven’s shadow symbolizing the unending burden of his mourning, showing that his soul can never rise above the grief for Lenore.
6. Poetic Devices (figures of speech) Used in the poem “The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poes:
1. Metaphor:
Definition: Comparing two unlike things directly without using “like” or “as”.
Example: “And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor / Shall be lifted—nevermore!”
Effect: The shadow represents grief and despair trapping the poet’s soul.
2. Personification:
Definition: Giving human qualities to non-human things i.e. making an object, animal, or idea act like a human.
Example: The Raven is given the ability to speak and symbolize human emotions.
Effect: Makes the bird a symbolic messenger of grief and despair.
3. Onomatopoeia:
Definition: Words that imitate sounds i.e. words that sound like the action or noise they describe.
Example: “Tapping,” “rapping.”
Effect: Creates a sense of sound, adding suspense and realism.
4. Alliteration:
Definition: Repeating consonant sounds at the beginning of words to create musical effect.
Example: “Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.”
Effect: Enhances the musical quality and emphasizes the poet’s obsessive thoughts.
5. Imagery:
Definition: Vivid descriptive language that appeals to the senses ie. Language that creates pictures in the mind.
Example: “And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor.”
Effect: Helps readers visualize the dark, mysterious setting and mood.
6. Simile
Definition: Comparing two things using “like” or “as.”
Example: “And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain / Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before.”
(The movement of the curtain is compared to something eerie, creating a fearful image.)
7. Repetition:
Definition: Emphasizing important words or ideas. or (repeating words for effect)
Example: The word “Nevermore” is repeated throughout the poem.
Effect: Emphasizes the permanence of despair and hopelessness.
8. Allusion
Definition: A reference to historical, mythological, or literary figures.
Example: “Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door.”
Effect: Refers to Pallas Athena, symbolizing wisdom and knowledge, adding depth to the Raven’s presence.
9. Assonance
Definition: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words.
Example: “And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain.”
Effect: It creates a haunting and melancholic effect.
Effect: It creates a haunting and melancholic effect.
10. Consonance
Definition: Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words.
Example: “And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain.” (The repeating “s” and “r” sounds create a soft, whispering effect.)
Effect: Enhances the musicality and flow of the poem, emphasizes certain words, and adds to the eerie, haunting atmosphere.
11. Rhyme
Definition: End rhymes and internal rhymes give the poem a musical structure.
Example: “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary.”
Effect: Creates rhythm and memorability, enhancing the eerie tone.
12. Internal Rhyme – Rhyming within a single line.
Example: “While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping.”Effect: Maintains musical flow and draws attention to key words.
12. Mood and Tone The poem uses a gloomy, melancholic, and eerie tone throughout, with the mood shifting from curiosity to despair.
Example: The dark December night, the dying fire, and the Raven’s presence create a haunting atmosphere.
13. Enjambment
Definition: Enjambment is when a line continues into the next line without a pause.
Example: “Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing, / Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before”
Effect: It creates a smooth, flowing rhythm, builds suspense and tension, and mirrors the poet’s ongoing thoughts and rising anxiety.
14. Symbolism
Definition: Using symbols to represent ideas or qualities.
Example: The Raven symbolizes death, loss, and unending sorrow; Lenore symbolizes the poet’s lost love.
Effect: Adds depth to the poem, making it more than just a story.
Best Order of Figures of Speech (For Examination)
1. Metaphor – Direct comparison without “like” or “as”
Example: “All the world’s a stage.”
Effect: Shows similarity and deeper meaning.
Effect: Shows similarity and deeper meaning.
2. Simile – Comparison using “like” or “as”
Example: “Shines like the sun.”
Effect: Highlights qualities in a vivid way.
Effect: Highlights qualities in a vivid way.
3. Personification – Giving human qualities to objects or ideas
Example: “The wind whispered through the trees.”
Effect: Makes ideas more vivid and relatable.
Effect: Makes ideas more vivid and relatable.
4. Imagery – Descriptions appealing to the senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell)
Example: “The crimson sunset painted the sky.”
Effect: Creates mental pictures and emotions.
Effect: Creates mental pictures and emotions.
5. Hyperbole – Exaggeration for emphasis
Example: “I’ve told you a million times.”
Effect: Highlights intensity or beauty.
Effect: Highlights intensity or beauty.
6. Symbolism – Using symbols to represent deeper ideas or themes
Example: “Dove” = peace, “Winter” = death or hardship.
Effect: Adds hidden meaning to the poem.
Effect: Adds hidden meaning to the poem.
7. Contrast / Antithesis – Opposing ideas placed together
Example: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
Effect: Highlights differences or strengthens argument.
Effect: Highlights differences or strengthens argument.
8. Alliteration – Repetition of consonant sounds
Example: “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”
Effect: Adds rhythm, musicality, or emphasis.
Effect: Adds rhythm, musicality, or emphasis.
9. Assonance / Consonance – Repetition of vowel or consonant sounds
Example (Assonance): “Hear the mellow wedding bells.”
Effect: Creates musical effect and mood.
Effect: Creates musical effect and mood.
10. Enjambment – A sentence or thought continuing across lines without pause
Effect: Maintains flow, builds tension, or emphasizes continuation.
11. Onomatopoeia – Words that imitate sounds
Example: “Buzz,” “clang,” “sizzle.”Effect: Makes descriptions more vivid.
12. Rhyme Scheme / Rhythm – Pattern of rhymes or beats
Effect: Creates musicality, order, and emphasis on key ideas.
13. Repetition / Refrain – Repeating words or phrases
Effect: Emphasizes important themes or ideas.
14. Irony / Paradox – Saying the opposite or presenting contradictory ideas
Effect: Creates thought-provoking meaning.
15. Final Couplet / Epigrammatic Statement (if a sonnet or structured poem)
Effect: Summarizes or delivers the central idea memorably.
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Tip for Exams:
- Always start with Metaphor, Simile, and Personification, as they are easiest to spot.
- End with structure-related devices like Rhyme Scheme, Rhythm, or Final Couplet to show understanding of the poem as a whole.
7. Short-Answer Questions of the poem “The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe:
Q1. Who is the central character in the poem?
A: The central character is a grieving man mourning the loss of his beloved Lenore.
Q2. What does the Raven symbolize?
A: The Raven symbolizes death, loss, grief, and the permanence of sorrow.
Q3. What word does the Raven keep repeating? What is its significance?
A: The Raven repeats the word “Nevermore,” which emphasizes hopelessness and the finality of the poet’s grief.
Q4. Who is Lenore in the poem?
A: Lenore is the poet’s dead beloved, representing love, loss, and sorrow.
Q5. How does the poet react when the Raven first enters?
A: He is initially curious and amused but gradually becomes anxious, obsessed, and despairing.
Q6. What is the setting of the poem?
A: The poem is set in the poet’s lonely chamber on a dark, cold December night.
Q7. Name two poetic devices used in the poem.
A: Examples include:
Alliteration: “Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.”
Repetition: The word “Nevermore.”
Q8. What mood does the poem create?
A: The poem creates a gloomy, melancholic, and eerie mood.
Q9. How does the poet try to find comfort?
A: He tries to distract himself by reading books and questioning the Raven about hope and reunion with Lenore.
Q10. What is the central theme of The Raven?
A: The central theme is grief and the inescapable sorrow caused by the loss of a loved one.
Q11. What is the effect of the repetition of “Nevermore”?
A: It reinforces the permanence of despair and the hopelessness of the poet’s situation.
Q12. How does the poem end?
A: The poem ends with the poet trapped in sorrow, the Raven still perched above him, and his soul unable to escape despair.
8. Long-Answer Questions of the poem “The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe:
Q1. Discuss the theme of grief and loss in The Raven.
A: The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe explores the deep grief and sorrow of a man mourning his lost beloved, Lenore. The poet is consumed by loneliness and despair, unable to find comfort in his books or surroundings. The arrival of the Raven intensifies his suffering, as the bird speaks only the word “Nevermore,” reminding him that his loss is permanent. Through gothic imagery, dark and eerie atmosphere, and the poet’s obsessive thoughts, the poem portrays how grief can dominate the mind and heart. The poet’s despair grows as he questions the Raven about the afterlife and reunion with Lenore, only to be met with hopelessness. The poem highlights that certain losses are irreversible and that the pain of mourning can be unending.
Q2. Describe the role and symbolism of the Raven in the poem.
A: In the poem, the Raven serves as a symbol of death, loss, and unending sorrow. It enters the poet’s chamber suddenly and perches upon the bust of Pallas, symbolizing wisdom and knowledge. The bird speaks only the word “Nevermore,” which represents the permanence of the poet’s grief and the impossibility of finding relief or reunion with Lenore. Initially, the poet tries to rationalize its presence, but he gradually realizes that the Raven mirrors his own fears and despair. The bird’s dark appearance, motionless demeanor, and repeated word create a haunting atmosphere and emphasize the poet’s emotional torment. Ultimately, the Raven’s presence ensures that the poet remains trapped in his sorrow, making it a powerful symbol of hopelessness.
Q3. How does Edgar Allan Poe create a mood of melancholy and suspense in The Raven?
A: Poe creates a mood of melancholy and suspense through setting, imagery, and sound devices. The poem is set in a dark, cold December night, which immediately evokes loneliness and gloom. Gothic imagery, such as dying embers, ghostly shadows, and the mysterious Raven, contributes to the eerie atmosphere. Poe also uses sound devices like alliteration, internal rhyme, consonance, and onomatopoeia—for example, “tapping” and “rapping”—to create suspense and draw the reader into the poet’s fearful state. The repeated word “Nevermore” heightens tension, as it delivers a constant reminder of despair. By combining these elements, Poe immerses the reader in the poet’s emotional turmoil, making the mood haunting and melancholic.
Q4. Explain the psychological state of the poet in the poem.
A: The poet in The Raven is in a state of deep sorrow, grief, and mental unrest due to the death of Lenore. At first, he is weak and weary, trying to distract himself with books. As the Raven enters, his curiosity turns to anxiety, and he becomes increasingly obsessed with understanding the bird’s meaning. His questions to the Raven reveal his desperation for hope, comfort, and reunion with Lenore in the afterlife, but each response, “Nevermore,” increases his despair. The poet’s mind moves between fear, hope, reasoning, and madness, reflecting the torment caused by grief. By the end, he is trapped in hopelessness, with the Raven symbolically controlling his mind, showing how loss can consume one’s thoughts and emotions completely.
Q5. What role do poetic devices play in enhancing the impact of The Raven?
A: Poetic devices play a crucial role in enhancing the rhythm, mood, and meaning of The Raven. Alliteration and assonance create musicality and highlight key emotions, e.g., “Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.” Repetition, especially of the word “Nevermore,” emphasizes the permanence of sorrow and hopelessness. Imagery paints vivid pictures of the dark chamber, the dying fire, and the shadow of the Raven, making the poem more immersive. Personification gives the Raven human-like qualities, turning it into a symbol of grief. Internal rhyme and enjambment maintain a smooth flow, building suspense and tension. These devices together intensify the gothic, melancholic atmosphere, helping readers feel the poet’s emotional torment.
Q6. Write a brief character sketch of the poet in The Raven.
A: The poet in The Raven is a grieving and lonely man, deeply affected by the loss of Lenore. He is intellectual and thoughtful, as seen in his reading of old books, but his grief makes him obsessive and vulnerable. Initially curious and rational, he becomes emotionally disturbed and increasingly desperate as the Raven refuses to provide comforting answers. He is sensitive, reflective, and prone to melancholy, yet he shows courage by confronting the mysterious bird. The poet’s interaction with the Raven reveals his psychological depth, inner turmoil, and inability to overcome sorrow, making him a tragic figure consumed by grief.
9. MCQs of the poem “The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe:
Q1. Who is the poet mourning in The Raven?
A) Pallas
B) Lenore
C) The Raven
D) Seraphim
Answer: B) Lenore
A) Forever
B) Goodbye
C) Nevermore
D) Lenore
Answer: C) Nevermore
A) On the window sill
B) On the bust of Pallas above the door
C) On the floor
D) On the poet’s chair
Answer: B) On the bust of Pallas above the door
A) Wisdom
B) Grief and lost love
C) Happiness
D) The Raven
Answer: B) Grief and lost love
A) Joyful and cheerful
B) Gloomy, melancholic, and eerie
C) Calm and peaceful
D) Romantic and happy
Answer: B) Gloomy, melancholic, and eerie
A) Simile
B) Repetition
C) Hyperbole
D) Metaphor
Answer: B) Repetition
A) Personification
B) Onomatopoeia
C) Alliteration
D) Metaphor
Answer: B) Onomatopoeia
A) A goddess of wisdom
B) The Raven’s owner
C) The poet’s friend
D) Lenore’s relative
Answer: A) A goddess of wisdom
A) Hope
B) Death, grief, and despair
C) Joy
D) Freedom
Answer: B) Death, grief, and despair
A) The poet is reunited with Lenore
B) The Raven flies away
C) The poet remains in sorrow with the Raven above his door
D) The poet leaves his chamber
Answer: C) The poet remains in sorrow with the Raven above his door
A) Assonance and alliteration
B) Hyperbole
C) Onomatopoeia
D) Simile
Answer: A) Assonance and alliteration
A) To amuse himself
B) To find comfort and hope
C) To punish the Raven
D) To show anger
Answer: B) To find comfort and hope
A) Pallas
B) Lenore
C) The Raven
D) Seraphim
Answer: B) Lenore
Q2. What word does the Raven repeatedly say?
A) Forever
B) Goodbye
C) Nevermore
D) Lenore
Answer: C) Nevermore
Q3. Where does the Raven perch when it enters the poet’s room?
A) On the window sill
B) On the bust of Pallas above the door
C) On the floor
D) On the poet’s chair
Answer: B) On the bust of Pallas above the door
Q4. What does Lenore symbolize in the poem?
A) Wisdom
B) Grief and lost love
C) Happiness
D) The Raven
Answer: B) Grief and lost love
Q5. What is the mood of the poem?
A) Joyful and cheerful
B) Gloomy, melancholic, and eerie
C) Calm and peaceful
D) Romantic and happy
Answer: B) Gloomy, melancholic, and eerie
Q6. What literary device is used in the repeated word “Nevermore”?
A) Simile
B) Repetition
C) Hyperbole
D) Metaphor
Answer: B) Repetition
Q7. Which sound device is used in “tapping, rapping at my chamber door”?
A) Personification
B) Onomatopoeia
C) Alliteration
D) Metaphor
Answer: B) Onomatopoeia
Q8. Who is Pallas referred to in the poem?
A) A goddess of wisdom
B) The Raven’s owner
C) The poet’s friend
D) Lenore’s relative
Answer: A) A goddess of wisdom
Q9. What does the Raven symbolize?
A) Hope
B) Death, grief, and despair
C) Joy
D) Freedom
Answer: B) Death, grief, and despair
Q10. How does the poem end?
A) The poet is reunited with Lenore
B) The Raven flies away
C) The poet remains in sorrow with the Raven above his door
D) The poet leaves his chamber
Answer: C) The poet remains in sorrow with the Raven above his door
Q11. What literary device is used in “Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before”?
A) Assonance and alliteration
B) Hyperbole
C) Onomatopoeia
D) Simile
Answer: A) Assonance and alliteration
Q12. Why does the poet ask the Raven about Lenore and the afterlife?
A) To amuse himself
B) To find comfort and hope
C) To punish the Raven
D) To show anger
Answer: B) To find comfort and hope
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