Analysis Of Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven

When it comes to analyzing a work of literature it is difficult to pinpoint what the story is about or who its intended audience is supposed to be without any insight on the writer; this is the case with Edgar Allan Poe. The master of horror and science fiction led an onerous life as his father abandoned their family and his mother died a year after. Despite his early life being hard, Poe had a very flourishing career and had many successful short stories and poems—his most well-known poem being “The Raven.” A casual reader may interpret this poem as a disturbed man who is simply conversing with a raven, however, that is not the case. Poe’s dark tone in “The Raven” stems from his wife’s deteriorating health and problems such as alcoholism and gambling, and his overall difficult life.
Poe was more than a man with a tiny mustache who had a fascination in birds.

In addition, many have speculated as to what the inspired the creation of this poem. For instance, B.J. Bolden discusses Poe’s ability as a poet and storyteller, and how it successfully provokes feelings from the reader. In another example, Dana Gioia examines the poem’s universal theme and timeless appeal which causes the poem to yield various symbols as well as aids in making the pain felt by the speaker feel genuine. Furthermore, another individual named Dave smith debates the poem’s universal theme of isolation that a person feels mirrors Poe’s emotions as a child and during his time at the University of Virginia. Overall, “The Raven” is a complex poem in the sense the reader is unable to pinpoint the inspiration behind this classic work, but is able to make numerous assumptions given the Poet’s messy