Insane In Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven

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When events cause someone pain it can result in going insane, blurring the line between real and imaginary. In Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven” the narrator goes through a series of emotionally painful events, which blurred his line between real and imaginary. The speaker believes a raven is out to get him, when it's simply an animal. The interaction between the two caused him to produce an overwhelming amount of emotional pain for himself ; this leads into the speaker’s own misery and demise. When something so surreal happens to an individual, the person tends to over analyze the situation because they are in disbelief as to how something so crazy has happened. In “The Raven” the narrator has just lost his precious Lenore, as he is mourning …show more content…

In the beginning of the poem the narrator recognizes the raven only speaks the word “nevermore”, nevertheless he continues to ask the raven questions. The narrator knows hearing “nevermore” as the answer to his questions will cause his own demise, but it doesn't prevent him from doing so. The narrator asks “Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!” Quoth the Raven “Nevermore””( Poe 13). By this he asks if, he will ever forget the memories of Lenore that continue to run through his mind, the raven confirms he won't. He is angered by this response and questions the ravens true intention. As if the raven’s answer to his question didn't upset him enough he continues to ask deeper questions. With hope that he will receive a different answer he ponders “Is there- balm in Gilead?- tell me. I implore! Quoth the Raven “Nevermore”” (Poe 14). Here the narrator is asking if he will ever be joyful again, once again he is doing this knowing the raven respond the same answer everytime. He actually believes what the raven is saying, which is driving him insane for this reason he’s causing his own demise. To make matters worse the narrator asks if “within the distant Aidenn, It shall clasp Clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore” (Poe 15). He is inquiring if Lenore is in heaven, receiving no as an answer was his breaking point. Everyone definitely wants to hear the ones they love are in heaven, so why would the narrator ask the raven knowing the answer would be no? This proves the narrator is responsible for his own demise, not the

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