The Raven
vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow- sorrow for the lost Lenore-
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore-
Nameless here for evermore.
He doesn't get a response and retreats back to his room where he hears knocking on the window. He flings the window open to reveal a raven who then flies into the room and perches itself onto a bust of Pallas (also known as Athena, goddess of Wisdom). The narrator jokingly asks the raven its name and is suprised that it responsd with the word, "nevermore". Knowing that this bird does not bring wisdom despite being perched on the goddess of wisdom, the narrator seeks a friend in the bird and begins to talk to it and ask it questions.
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore-
After the narrator grows angry at the raven's one word responses, he tells the bird to go away but the raven stays, leading the narrator to conclude that he will forever be mourning and in pain.
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted- nevermore!
Although there aren't obvious monsters in the poem, the sites of monstrosity include death and the narrator's actions throughout the poem. Death plays a significant role in this peom as it is the thing that forces the narrator down this spiral of grief. In addtion, the presence of the raven itself poses a death connection because in many cultures, they are considered to be symbols of death or bad omens (Hallqvist,1998). Death is something that the narrator cannot escape, but doesn't seem keen to escape either. The narrator keeps himself within this prolonged devotion to his lost lover by asking the raven questions he knows he won't be satisfied with or bring him comfort. His behavior causes him more pain and anguish, making him feel like there's no escape.