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Literature would not be the same if the author didnt take symbolism into account while writing the piece. One of the worlds best writers, Edgar Allen Poe, is a superb example of this representation that has intrigued mankind for centuries. Poe uses various forms of symbolism to play off the emotions of his readers. Using elements of nature, dread, superstition, and legend, Poe can create a world of trepidation in the minds of the readers; his poems and stories would not be the same without these elements.
In his poem, The Raven, Poe has added unique elements to scare his readers, fascinate them to read on, and find themselves in an alternate world of mystery and lost hopes. The most obvious symbol is the raven itself. When Poe had decided to repeat the word "nevermore, " he found that it would be most effective if he used a non-reasoning creature to utter the word. It would make little sense to use a human, since the human could reason to answer the questions the man asks the bird. It is important that the answers to the questions are already known, to illustrate the self-torture the man exposes himself to.
Poe also considered using a parrot instead of a raven (Gelpi 1852). Because of the depressed tone, and the symbolism of ravens as birds of ill omen, he found the raven more suitable for the mood in the poem. Another obvious symbol is the bust of Pallas, the head and torso of the wisest goddess. The raven decided to perch on the goddess of knowledge for several reasons.
It would lead the man to believe that the raven spoke from wisdom, and was not just repeating its only line, Nevermore. It could also signify the knowledge of the man. Having the statue in his study would lead the readers to think this man was very wise or intelligent. According to Poe, he wanted the statue in the room simply because of the "sonorousness of the word, Pallas, itself" (Gelpi 1850). A less obvious symbol might be the use of "midnight" in the first verse, and "December" in the second verse. Both midnight and December indicate an end of something, and also the expectation of something new or a change to happen.
Theodore Johnson connected the use of December with the death of Edgar's mother (Johnson 387 - 89), who died in that month. This might draw out the emotions of loss and misery found in the poem. The chamber in which story takes place, is used to signify the loneliness of the man, and the sorrow he feels for the loss of Lenore. The room is luxuriously furnished, and reminds the narrator of his lost love, which helps to create an effect of natural beauty in the poem. The storm is used to even more signify the isolation of this man, to show a sharp contrast between the calmness in the chamber and the stormy night.
The phrase "from out my heart, " (Gelpi 826) is used in combination with the answer "Nevermore, " to let the man realize that he should not try to seek a moral in what has been previously said by the raven. From what we know, Poe's poem, The Raven, would not be the same if he had chosen to take out the forms of symbolism. The story would have less meaning if it took place at noon on a sunny summer afternoon in the kitchen. Poe adds the elements to scare his readers. In the dark, the readers know anything can happen; anyone could be lurking around the next corner.
There is nowhere to escape in the bitter cold of the winter, no other exit in the study than the main entrance. There would be nothing intimidating about a bird perching on the top of the refrigerator; quote the parrot, Nevermore. Bibliography Gelpi, Albert. The tenth muse: the psyche of the American poet. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1991 Johnson, A. Theodore.
America through the essay; and anthology for English courses. New York: Oxford University Press, 1938
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Research essay sample on Scare His Readers Elements To Scare His Readers Poe
