Poe and The Raven

Poe has a knack for imagery.  He sets a very creepy scene, and you can’t help but being creeped out by the tapping.  Also, had I been there, I don’t think I would have let a raven in my room, but that’s just me.  He uses the words “terrors” (Line 14)  and “ghost” (Line 8), and then later refers to the bird as a “demon” and a “devil.”    The raven obviously seems to be a symbol of darkness, but it is interesting that it perches on the bust of Pallas (who is related to wisdom).  Twice he calls the bird a “prophet.”  The bird only ever utters one word, and I could be wrong, but I believe the raven isn’t known for its cunning and intellect, despite Poe’s character calling it “beguiling.”  However, by perching on this particular bust the bird seems to take on a position of wisdom or power, especially because the man keeps asking it questions.  Perhaps the man is going slightly mad because of the loss of Lenore, which would not be unusual for something by Poe.  Also, I enjoyed Poe’s rhythm and use of repitition.  It set a good pace for the poem.  Both the repetition and the rhythm also gave the poem a sense of madness, to me.  It went quickly and the bird kept repeating this one word, and the exclamatory dialogue (not to mention he was talking to a bird) seemed to show the maddening of the character.  He slowly becomes madder and more distraught until perhaps he dies at the end: “And my soul… / Shall be lifted — nevermore!”