Metaphors In The Raven

Figurative language / Rhetorical figures
In this part I would like to analyse what purpose do metaphors and symbols have regarding to the theme.
The Raven can be interpreted several ways, however in this analysis I will focus on the theme of a grief over a lost loved one and suffering and lunacy this evokes.

First I would like to introduce the key symbol I will analyse - the Raven. The Raven itself has several functions in this poem; it is not only the antagonist of this poem, it is also the most significant symbol. And the symbol also has several interpretations.
The Raven as the symbol of death and evil would be the most obvious interpretation. Another interpretation of this symbol can be derived from the Greek mythology. The white raven or the so called “Apollo’s raven” was used as a carrier of the messages send from God to humans. We can see, that this interpretation correlates and improves the first interpretation, while in this

case the raven is “ebony black” - as mentioned in the line 43, therefore it is assumed, that the raven carries the message from the devil.
The third interpretation uses the raven as a symbol of the protagonists never-ending grief.

There can be found metaphors in the text, that support these statements. First example can be seen in the line 81 and 91:
“Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!
In this line the protagonist can not stand the raven anymore. He is anxious by the raven’s answer about his future, therefore he compares him to the prophet and the devil.
As another example can serve the metaphor in the line 105:
“And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming”
As in the previous example, in this metaphor, the protagonist also describes the raven as a devilish creature, that came to haunt him. Both these metaphors support the first two interpretations of the symbol.
However there can be found examples, which support the third interpretation as well. In the line 89, the protagonist asks the raven, if he will ever feel the relief from the past that haunts him.
Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I

implore!”
However the raven responds nevermore; it denies him the freedom for his mind.
In the line 101, the poor man commands the raven to leave:
“Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!”
Indeed, the raven replies nevermore. When connected, the raven denies the protagonist an ease of mind and is refusing to leave him - as well as the protagonist’s grief.

CONCLUSION
As a result of Poe’s precise usage of linguistic and literary devices, one of the most recognised poems has been created. The complexity and interconnectedness create the necessary depth to seize the reader and due to its phonological structure it is still one of the most musically engaging texts, even nowadays.