Sound Devices Used In The Raven

The Raven, by Edgar Allan Poe, is the greatest poem ever written. Poe uses words and transforms them into an experience for the audience. Symbolism engulfs the reader into The Raven’s dark theme. The foreboding ambience of the poem is created through intricate use of various sound devices. Poe also creates a compelling narrative based on his personal experiences. Therefore, The Raven creates an unrivaled poetic experience through its symbols, theme and sound, and story.

There are a variety of symbols found in The Raven. The most prominent image is that of the titular raven itself. The bird is portrayed as an evil omen for the protagonist. On a literal level, the raven represents the setting of the poem. It is as black as the bleak December night in which the narrator encounters the bird. However, the raven is also a symbol for terror and insanity. When the bird first enters, the narrator finds it amusing. As the poem progresses, the raven is transformed from a bird to a symbol of pure evil. While at first a black bird, the raven symbolizes the

narrator’s spiral into madness and fear.
The Raven’s dark mood is unparalleled.

It instills fear, melancholiness, and ominousness. The theme of The Raven is achieved through its exceptional sound. The rhyme scheme Poe uses is ABCBBB. Therefore, two thirds of the lines in The Raven end with the “-or” sound. This establishes the prominence of the raven’s refrain of “Nevermore.” Poe also uses a variety of sound devices to establish the dark theme of The Raven. While a plethora of devices are featured in the poem, the use of alliteration is extraordinary. In the fifth stanza, Poe writes “Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing / Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before” (25-26). The harsh combination of “D” sounds creates a cacophonous effect. Cacophony induces fear and contributes towards the ambience of The Raven. Therefore, rhyme and sound devices, such as alliterative cacophony, create an ominous

theme.
Poe wrote The Raven in accordance with his own life experiences. His overall style involving macabre, depression, and fear recur frequently throughout his works. Poe’s themes are most likely inspired by the early death of his wife, Virginia. She began showing symptoms of Tuberculosis in 1842, and quickly deteriorated. Poe was sent into a deep depression and worsened his alcoholism. In The Raven, he describes “sorrow” (10) for a “radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore” (11). Poe also writes about the loss of a young woman in Annabel Lee and Lenore. Therefore, Edgar Allan Poe’s work is evidently influenced by his depression, caused by his wife’s early death.