What does nevermore mean in Edgar Allan Poe's poem 'The Raven'?

Answer 1

The Phrase Nevermore shows Edgar Allan Poe's desolation on the topic of his lost "Lenore" in the poem. It solidifies his security that he will never, in life nor death see his lost Lenore. It tells us he has lost her forever for some reason in which he is at fault.

Answer 2

The raven uses the word "nevermore" a total of six times in this poem:

1. Once when the narrator asks the raven its name. I believe this means that the raven is an omen, a forerunner of fate. He has come to tell that something will occur "nevermore": "'Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!' Quoth the raven, 'Nevermore'".

2. Once when the narrator tries to assure himself that the raven is just a bird, and will fly away soon. I think this means that the raven and the doom and despair it brings are here to stay: "On the morrow he will leave me, as my Hopes have flown before.' Quoth the raven, 'Nevermore'".

3. Once when the narrator asks the raven for relief from his painful memories of his lost love, Lenore. This is the raven quashing the narrator's hopes of them being together again: "Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!' Quoth the raven, 'Nevermore'".

4. Once when the narrator asks the raven if there is "balm in Gilead"--I believe Gilead is supposed to be heaven, and balm is a kind of relief. Again, the despair is here to stay: "'Is there--is there balm in Gilead?--tell me--tell me, I implore!' Quoth the raven, 'Nevermore'".

5. Once when the narrator asks if, in a place called Aidenn (Heaven, I believe), he will hold Lenore again: "'Tell this soul with sorrow laden if,...it shall clasp a...rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore.' Quoth the raven, 'Nevermore'".

6. Once when the narrator requests that the raven leave: "'Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!' Quoth the raven, 'Nevermore'".

Answer 3

I'm not sure it "symbolizes" anything. This word (or, possibly, noise that the narrator is simply interpreting as a word... the narrator clearly has a few mental irregularities; I'm just sayin', is all) is taken by the narrator as an answer to the questions he's been asking. (Yes, he has been asking spiritual/metaphysical questions of a bird. Mental irregularities, remember?)

Shorn of the fanciful language, he asks (some of these are actually statements that are "contradicted" by the bird rather than questions):

1. What's your name?
2. You'll leave me like all my other friends.
3. I'm going to get over my dead lover Lenore.
4. Will I at least find happiness in heaven?
5. Is Lenore in heaven?
6. Get out!

The bird's responses (which are always "Nevermore") are taken by him to mean, roughly:

1. My name is Nevermore.
2. No, I will never leave you.
3. No you won't, you'll mourn her forever.
4. Nope, not even there.
5. No, she's not.
6. Sorry, Charlie, I'm not going anywhere.

Answer 4

In Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven," the word "nevermore" is repeated by the raven in response to the narrator's questions, serving as a reminder of loss and relentless despair. It symbolizes the idea of finality and inevitability, reinforcing the narrator's sense of hopelessness and inability to find solace.

Answer 5

It is used to tell the narrator that his love is dead. It is also used for repetition.

Answer 6

Because it fits the mood and meter of the poem.

Answer 7

you can't escape death.

Answer 8

he will never again see lenore

Answer 9

Nevermore literally means 'never again.'