Question

BOOK: The raven by Edward allen poe
Based on the symbolism, language, and events in the poem, which of the following statements best applies to the narrator by the end of the excerpt?

A. He is desperate to find the meaning of life, and is grows more and more weary as the poem progresses.


B. He is coping with insomnia and unable to sleep, and sees the Raven as a welcomed guest to keep him from loneliness.


C. He is terrified of falling asleep for fear that he will die, and views the Raven as a sign sent from a higher power.


D. He is coping with the loss of Lenore, who he loved, and the Ravens’ presence is slowly driving him mad.

Answer 1

The best for me is D

First ,because the narrator lost Lenore; he is hurt by this loss and when he hears the knock on the door he imagines it is her  or her presence. Second , The Raven is in some way telling him or reminding him that Death comes to us all. The bird is a sign we all depart to never return.. and it is this message that drives him mad .Last but not least, the Raven only mutters NEVERMORE, a word which has a negative sense; it means Lenore will never ever be alive again and that he will never be happy again.Never is a word which will haunt him for the rest of his life.

Answer 2

The correct answer is D. He is coping with the loss of Lenore, whom he loved, and the Raven's presence is slowly driving him mad. He pictures the Raven as an evil presence and power. He tries to find out what does that creature want but the bird just keeps repeating "Nevermore". The continuous repetition of this word drives him to insanity. He keeps asking the Raven questions that he already knows the answer but just wishes to hear them from someone else. Although he tries to communicate with the raven, the bird just keeps replying the same, "Nevermore". This situation makes him really madly crazy.