answersLogoWhite

0

The theme of "The Raven" is simply that people are masochistic. You have a guy who has just lost his loved one "Lenore", and he is wallowing in his sorrow. Enter the raven. He asks the raven what its name is and it sates "nevermore" He then starts talking to himself, and when he is finished the bird again says "nevermore". He then realizes that this is the only word the bird probably knows; taught to him by some unhappy master who used to own him. So he knows the only word the bird will ever say is "nevermore". Yet he still asks questions that could cause him pain, such as when he asked the bird if there was a maiden in heaven with the name Lenore. He knew that the raven would only say nevermore. But he asked anyway.

So the theme of this dark and depressing poem, is that people, maybe especially when they have just suffered from a horrible loss, are masochistic, and want to cause themselves pain. He probably doesn't mean everyone is masochistic to the same extent, but that there's a little bit of it in each of us.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What is the monogram of 'The Raven' by Edgar Allan Poe?

The monogram of 'The Raven' by Edgar Allan Poe is generally considered to be the initials "EAP" for Edgar Allan Poe. Poe was the author of "The Raven," a famous narrative poem published in 1845.


What word starts the poem The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe?

The word "Once" begins the poem "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe.


What does the raven symbolize in Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven"?

In Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven," the raven symbolizes death, loss, and the narrator's descent into madness.


What is the symbolism of the raven in Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven"?

In Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven," the raven symbolizes death, grief, and the narrator's descent into madness.


Why did Edgar Allan Poe include the question "Why is a raven like a writing desk" in his famous work "The Raven"?

Edgar Allan Poe included the question "Why is a raven like a writing desk" in "The Raven" to create a sense of mystery and to emphasize the theme of madness and irrationality in the poem.


What does the raven symbolize in Edgar Allan Poe's work?

In Edgar Allan Poe's work, the raven symbolizes death, loss, and the haunting presence of the past.


When was The Raven published by Edgar Allan Poe?

"The Raven", by Edgar Allan Poe was first published in 1845.This by the way is the exact year when it was published.By J.A.G.N


What year and month was The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe first published?

"The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe was first published in January 1845.


What are 2 poems written by Edgar Allan Poe?

Two poems by Edgar Allan Poe are The Raven and Annabel Lee.


What is the best Edgar Allan Poe poem?

the raven


What poem did Edgar Allan Poe wrote?

The Raven


What was Edgar Allan Poe's favorite poem?

The Raven