From one of the stories or poems assigned in our course choose a brief passage microscopically examining the language phrasing and symbolism of the passage you’ve selected.
From one of the stories or poems assigned in our course choose a brief passage microscopically examining the language phrasing and symbolism of the passage you’ve selected.
In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven,” the narrator is tormented by a raven that repeatedly utters the word “Nevermore” in response to the narrator’s questions. In the following passage, the narrator is filled with dread and sorrow as the raven perches upon a bust of Pallas Athena:
“Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer Swung by seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor. ‘Wretch,’ I cried, ‘thy God hath lent thee—by these angels he hath sent thee Respite—respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore!’ Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!’ Quoth the raven, ‘Nevermore.’”
The language in this passage is evocative and creates a sense of foreboding. The narrator describes the air as growing “denser” and “perfumed,” creating a sense of suffocation and unease. The use of the word “censer” suggests a religious connotation, possibly hinting at the supernatural nature of the raven’s visit. The word “seraphim” reinforces this religious imagery, as they are traditionally depicted as angels. The description of their footfalls as “tinkling” adds to the eerie atmosphere of the passage.
The repetition of the word “respite” emphasizes the narrator’s desperation for relief from his grief. The use of the word “nepenthe,” which means a drug that can induce forgetfulness or a sense of comfort, underscores the narrator’s desire to forget his lost love, Lenore. The contrast between the narrator’s plea for relief and the raven’s monotonous response of “Nevermore” intensifies the sense of hopelessness and despair.
The symbolism in this passage is also significant. Pallas Athena was the Greek goddess of wisdom and strategy, and her bust is traditionally associated with intelligence and reason. The raven perching on her bust suggests that reason and intelligence are useless in the face of the raven’s ominous presence. The raven is also traditionally associated with death, and its repeated use of “Nevermore” suggests the finality of death and the narrator’s inability to escape his grief.
In conclusion, this passage from “The Raven” is a powerful example of Poe’s use of language, phrasing, and symbolism to create a haunting and evocative atmosphere. The repetition of words and phrases, as well as the use of religious and mythological imagery, contribute to the overall feeling of dread and hopelessness. The symbolism of the raven and Pallas Athena reinforces the theme of the finality of death and the futility of reason and intelligence in the face of grief.