Essay on Writing Techniques in Poes The Raven - 1061 Words

Writing Techniques in Poes The Raven Edgar Allan Poe uses several writing techniques to create a single concentrated effect of unending despair in his classic poem, The Raven. The most noticeable technique is the use of repetition. Just as repeated exposure to cold raindrops can chill one to the bone, repeated exposure to words of hopelessness and gloom creates a chilling effect. Poe saturates the reader with desperate futility by repetitive use of the words nothing more and nevermore. These two phrases, used in refrain to end seventeen of the poems eighteen stanzas, drench the reader with melancholy. Poe also uses repetition to spark the readers curiosity. He refers to the sound of rapping or tapping eight times in the†¦show more content†¦This rare radiance stands in stark contrast to the grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous raven who now never leaves his chamber (71). Lenore is referred to as a sainted maiden (94), whereas the raven is referred to as a prophet! and a thing of evil! (85, 91). The radia nce of Lenore is contrasted with the speakers soul, which he describes as being under a shadow (107). These contrasts serve to draw attention to the most significant contrast described in the poem: an intelligent, well-read, loving man interprets a bird seeking shelter on a cold night as an emblem of never-ending anguish and succumbs to depression and madness. Poe masterfully chooses his words to create an effect. He introduces the idea that the tapping is caused by something at his window lattice (33) followed by Let me see, then, what thereat is (34). His choice of the word thereat is interesting in that it suggests the word threat. The sharp t sound at the end of thereat conjures the sound of pecking on glass. The experience of hearing what the speaker hears serves to increase the bond the reader feels with the speaker. Poes masterful alliteration likewise creates mood as exhibited in the phrase, And the silken sad uncertain (13). These words are not commonly used together. The repetitive s sound forces the reader to hesitate when reading the line, leading the reader to identify with the uncertainty that the speaker is experiencing. In a similar way, theShow MoreRelatedThe Raven by Edgar Allan Poe709 Words   |  3 PagesHe tries to ease his pain by distracting himself with a book of poems; â€Å"The Forgotten Lore† but is interrupted by a tapping at [his] chamber door (5) and finds darkness there and nothing more. (24) He was visited one night in his bedroom by a raven that only knows the word Nevermore. However, the gentleman is unaware of the birds limited vocabulary and proceeds to beg and plead with the bird to answer his questions about Lenore and her death, but the bird continues to respond one way. BeingRead MoreComparitve Analysis of the Raven Tell Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe1257 Words   |  6 PagesComparative Analysis of the Tell Tale Heart and the Raven Edgar Allen Poe was the author of several daunting works of literature. Two examples of Edgar Allen Poes literature are The Tell Tale Heart and The Raven. If we compare these two works, one a short story and the other a poem, we will see that Poe shows great mastery of symbolism, as well as other forms of literary technique. In these two stories, many people would say that Poe uses the tales to reflect the way he perceivesRead MoreThe Raven Essay1692 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"The Raven† is a magnificent piece by a very well known poet from the 19th century, Edgar Allan Poe. Poe was well known for his dark and haunting poetry. Along with writing poetry, Poe was also recognized for his Gothic-style short stories. â€Å"The Raven† is one of Poe’s greatest accomplishments and was even turned into recitals and numerous television appearances. â€Å"The Raven† tells a story about an unnamed narrator whose beloved Lenore has left him. A raven come s at different points throughout theRead MoreThe Masque Of The Red Death By Edgar Allan Poe Essay1712 Words   |  7 PagesDeath, The Tale-Tell Heart, and The Raven being that they are all well known. Poe an unforgettable writer, because of his horror stories and writing style has created stories and poems that are classical and often spoken about. As well as inducing a sense of suspense to his own readers, he has become an inspiriting to a handful of writers to implement techniques similar to those of Poe and inspire certain character characteristics. Using different methods of writing and presenting stories Edgar AllenRead MoreAnalysis Of The Raven By Edgar Allan Poe1487 Words   |  6 PagesANALYSIS OF LENORE The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe is undoubtedly one of the most famous poems ever written. With its haunting imagery and masterfully crafted suspense, as well as the famous refrain â€Å"nevermore†, The Raven is mesmerizing, hypnotic, terrifying, exciting, and irresistible. Besides its outstanding sounds and imagery, the secret to the Raven’s persistent and ubiquitous popularity also lies in the universality of the theme with which it deals – namely, the theme of the lost Beloved. At theRead MoreEssay about Literary Devices Used in the Raven by Edgar Allen Poe959 Words   |  4 PagesAnalysis of the Raven by Edgar Allen Poe The nineteenth century poet Edgar Allen Poe makes use of several literary devices in order to create a gloomy atmosphere in his poem â€Å"The Raven†. Alliteration, rhyme, onomatopoeia, assonance, and repetition are used to contribute to the melodic nature of the work and provide an almost â€Å"visual† representation of his gothic setting. Poe is a master of using these writing techniques. â€Å"The Raven† is one of his most popular works. This is certainly due, in partRead MoreThe Raven by Edgar Allan Poe1334 Words   |  6 PagesBeatriz Castro Professor Gary Smith English 1302 10/31/2012 Symbolism in â€Å"The Raven† Edgar Allan Poe was highly criticized throughout his life whether it was for his high achievements or his downfalls; he always seemed to be talked about. Poe was born in January 19, 1809; his mother died shortly after being abandoned by his father leaving him and his brothers’ orphans at an early age. Poe was taken by John and Francis Allan. With the help of his foster parents he was later able to attendRead More Deep into Darkness Peering Essay1711 Words   |  7 Pagesintent behind his own masterpiece. These are what have made Poe such a notorious figure in American culture. Experiences within Edgar Allan Poe’s life lead to his different perspectives on death. By analysing Annabel Lee, The Raven, The Masque of the Red Death, we can see that these perspectives include: hope; despair; and fear. Annabel Lee is one of Poe’s more famous poems. It is about a young man (the narrator) that falls in love with a girl when they are both children. Their love was so strongRead MoreEdgar Allan Poe s Father Of American Gothicism1178 Words   |  5 Pagesbecause of the effect of all those lost that he had, and his obsession with death and loss can be seen in most of his writing, we can see that most of his writing there are patters and similarities, even thought, Poe’s main characters are generally different. Thus, aside from a common theoretical basis, there is a psychological intensity that is characteristic of Poe’s writings, especially the tales of horror that comprise his best and best-known works. These works include  Ã¢â‚¬Å"The Black Cat,†Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"TheRead MoreDifferent Colors Of Darkness By Nathaniel Hawthorne And Edgar Allen Poe995 Words   |  4 Pagesand dismal, and an enduring despair runs through the tales as a common thread. However, their inspirations originate from opposite ends of the spectrum. Hawthorne’s works are the offspring of legalistic Puritan values and beliefs; on the other hand, Poe’s stories reflect godlessness. While the characters of both authors often face a grim destination, the writers show through their unique styles that the path to hopelessness can take many different routes. These contrasting motivations first surface