The Raven: Comparative Analysis & Reflection
- Karmin Walker
- Oct 30, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 3, 2023
Within the context of this assignment, this learner has selected the artwork to analyze as a poem by Edgar Allan Poe—The Raven (Poe, 1849). Poe’s poem is consistent with that of Dark Romanticism and Gothic Literature (American Literature, 2022). While there are assumptions of the historical context of the poem, it is assumed that part of the inspiration that went into the creation was due to the fact that Poe’s wife, Virginia, had been sick with tuberculosis after having already lost multiple family members to this disease (Lit Charts, 2022). During the period of time that The Raven was written, there was a presidential election in 1844, and the Mexican American War occurred from 1846-1848 when Mexico declared Texas part of their territory (American Literature, 2022). All of these events can explain the dark and gothic writings contained within the poem. This learner’s personal cultural perspective helped to shape the response and connection with The Raven, due to the fact working in law enforcement, the military, and having witnessed and experienced many dark, and dreary events in life this poem resonates each time it is reviewed.
Artistic and Cultural Contexts
The Raven is meant to be a symbol of a mournful, never-ending remembrance and it gained instant popularity, although never really gained Poe any real monetary value during his lifetime (Carroll, 2022). The main subject depicted within The Raven would be that of loss, remembrance, and evil. Anyone that knows true loss, or true grief understands the fine line of darkness, lightness, and sanity vs. insanity through the healing journey. The Raven is itself a tale of grief and loss, and has a decent into insanity (Witter, 2020).
The opening passage of The Raven speaks for itself, “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,” (Poe, 1849). Poe then goes on to state, “Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December; and each separate dying ember wrought 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,” (Poe, 1849).
As Poe (1849) continues to fall further into despair and grief, “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 was spoken was the whispered word, ‘Lenore?’” As the poem goes on the Raven appears and is seemly mocking Poe’s darkness, as much anyone that has suffered greatly it is likely facing the devil himself and peering into the darkness, wishing for the pain to end, and the evil that embodies the Raven seems to tempt him into hell—but even if Poe would never give into the desires of the Raven, the Raven will continue to follow him around forever more.
Conclusion
This learner feels as though this work is best understood by those that have suffered greatly, because it gives the individual a place to relate. While the darkness surrounds, or is always present, it does not mean that you need to give into it. It may continue to follow you around, haunt you, and be a ghost in your everyday shadows, but that does not mean that it will consume you or become you. Darkness can also appear to be alluring, or as if it would be easier to give into the dark temptations presented, but the grief and loss that you have survived will become the strength you need in order to continue saying no to the darkness.
References
American Literature. 2022. The Raven Study Guide. American Literature.
Carroll, H. 2022. Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven: Summary and Analysis. Study.com.
Lit Charts. 2022. The Raven Study Guide – Edgar Allan Poe. Lit Charts.
Witter, B. 2020. Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Raven’ in Popular Culture. Biography.com.
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