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October 10, 2005
Edgar Allen Poe (selections) -- American Literature, 1800-1915 (EL 266)
"And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain/thrilled me--filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;"
This quote caught me. I love the alliteration of "silken sad uncertain" and the rhyme "thrilled me--filled me." These words seem so passionate! The purple curtain caught me. Purple is the color of royalty and wealth. I don't really know what Poe's social standing was, but this makes him sound like a pretty popular guy. The "Raven" has to be something different. It's like the negative of every situation is lurking on your shoulder, or your statue. I've seen the Raven a few times this week. It seems like if you're in a good place, the Raven finds you and leaves it's "black plumes as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken."
Posted by MeredithHarber at October 10, 2005 12:47 AM
Comments
Meredith0 this line caught my eye, too. I thought it did sound really seductive and passionate. I just picture these ritzy purple curtains flowing in the wind, reminding him of something he longs for...maybe its like a reminder of the dress of a loved-one's void. I don't know, but I feel like I have a raven too sometimes.
Posted by: AshleyHoltzer at October 10, 2005 03:24 PM
Yeah...I thought about the royalty, but I didn't catch the ritzy passion behind them. Interesting. Do you think he lacks passion in his own life or is rich in it? This is a really minor detail based on the color, but compare it to the Raven issue. He has this beast that is telling him "nevermore" over and over. Maybe a nagging partner?
Posted by: Meredith Harber at October 11, 2005 12:43 AM