The Raven is a poem about a man who is going through heartbreak because of the unfortunate death of a woman he genuinely cared about called Lenore. During one lonely night in December, he hears tapping on his chamber door, and he thinks it’s a late-night visitor who has come to disturb him. When the man hears the tapping again on his window, he opens the window shutter and is surprised to find a raven. He lets the Raven in, and it flies and settles upon a bust of Pallas, which was just above his chamber’s door.
The individual then begins to talk to the Raven though the bird can only reply by croaking ‘nevermore.’ The man starts by reflecting aloud that the bird will desert him soon, just like all the individuals who he has cared about in the past. The Raven answers him by saying ‘nevermore.’ Though it is not clear if the Raven really understands the man or it is just croaking the only expression, it knows.
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As the conversation progresses, the man gradually loses his grip on reality. He wheels a cushioned seat in front of the bird and asks the Raven desolate questions, including if he and Lenore will be reunited in heaven, but the bird still replies ‘nevermore.’ This reply angers the man and he starts calling the raven names such as ‘thing of evil’ and a ‘devil.’ This is because he thinks that the Raven agrees with the man that his dark thoughts are real. The man chases the bird out of his home, but still, the Raven remains where it is perched and answers ‘nevermore. The poem concludes with the Raven still sat on the bust of Pallas while the man seems to be defeated by his grief and says that his soul shall be lifted ‘nevermore.
In summary, this poem has some significant themes and stylistic devices used. The themes include grief because of losing his loved one called Lenore. Moreover, the theme of devotion is discussed because of the man’s deep love for Lenore causes him to suffer from grief and later rage and also madness. On the other hand, the stylistic devices used include Alliteration, which is the repetition of a word which includes ‘The Raven,’ ‘weak and weary’ and lastly ‘nearly napping.’
