Special K

Silly Bird

I think The Raven is probably one of the first things any student will ever ready by Poe. It is easy to understand and, undoubtly, a classic.

"And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted -- nevermore!"

Ok, Poe was a troubled guy- this we know. And it comes out often in his poetry- especially this one. He is haunted by the memories of his lost love, Leonore, and it seems like his sorrow will never leave. The raven- so black and bleak, almost a symbol of loss and death- has come and taken root in his home, in his heart. He is never to leave, just as the memories and pain of Leonore will also never leave his soul. There will always the the constant reminders of her, no matter what he does. The ever-present bird is like a thought in the back of the mind- you forget about it but suddenly it gets triggered and all the thoughts and feelings rush back again.