The power of literature is a great one indeed. It absorbs us, transforms our environment, changes our way of thinking. For a moment we are able to live another life, try different opportunities and imagine fantastic worlds. Especially poems seem to touch us within our deepest soul. A poem can often say things that might never be said in any other way. It gives us goose bumps and butterflies in our stomach; it makes us cry, makes us laugh, makes us feel better- makes us think. Poetry expresses not only love, or disgust, but also giddy elation, mild bemusement, wild imagination and any other feelings we can or cannot imagine. Throughout the years many authors have expressed their opinions, hopes and critics in magazines, in books filled with pages and pages of poetry. Nevertheless some of them clearly stand out with their life and their work. Some of them are authors that made great contributions to the world of literature and that are still unforgotten. One of them is Edgar Allan Poe. Edgar Allan Poe did not only have a great influence on the development of horror and fantasy genres, he also stands (with Mary Shelley) for a new strain in literary Romanticism, later called Gothic. Poe is known as the father of the American short story and the detective story, but furthermore he wrote wonderful pieces of poetry. (Magistrale 2001: xiii) Tony Magistrale writes in his book “Student Companion to Edgar Allan Poe”: “Poe was one of those rare literary geniuses who not only labored successfully in multiple genres- poetry, fiction, the essay- but also went on to contribute significantly to defining and exploring the fullest range of possibilities inherent in these genres.“ (Magistrale 2001: xii) One of his most famous poems that spread out through the world and got translated into many languages is “The Raven”. This essay offers a summary and an interpretation of “The Raven” and tries to respect Poe’s own analysis in “The Philosophy of Composition”. Nevertheless, when reading or analyzing a poem it is always profitable to read about the life of the poet, too. Some of his biographical facts may be the link to understand his way of writing. That’s why this essay also deals with Edgar Allan Poe’s life and the time he grew up.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Biography
- Romanticism and Gothic
- Analysis of the Poem “The Raven”
- The headline
- The Verses
- Musicality and the Philosophy of Composition
- Summary
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to provide a summary and interpretation of Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven," incorporating Poe's own analytical perspective from "The Philosophy of Composition." It also explores Poe's biography to illuminate his writing style and the context of his work.
- The power and impact of poetry
- Edgar Allan Poe's life and its influence on his writing
- Analysis of "The Raven" through various literary lenses
- Poe's contribution to Romanticism and Gothic literature
- The lasting legacy and influence of Edgar Allan Poe
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the profound impact of literature, particularly poetry, on the human experience. It highlights the ability of poetry to evoke a wide range of emotions and thoughts, surpassing the limitations of other forms of expression. The chapter introduces Edgar Allan Poe as a significant figure in American literature, emphasizing his contributions to horror, fantasy, and the development of short stories and detective fiction. It also positions "The Raven" as a central focus for the essay, explaining the intent to analyze the poem and connect its themes to Poe's life and writings.
2. Biography: This chapter details the biographical facts of Edgar Allan Poe's life, starting from his early childhood marked by the loss of his mother and the absence of his father. It traces his relationship with his foster parents, his academic struggles at the University of Virginia, his brief stint in the army, and his subsequent difficulties in establishing a stable career as a writer. The chapter highlights his financial hardships due to the lack of copyright laws at the time and his tumultuous personal life, including his marriage to his young cousin and her subsequent death from tuberculosis. Poe's struggles with alcohol and opium addiction are also mentioned, alongside the conflicting accounts and controversies surrounding his death, underscoring the complexity and tragedy of his life. The chapter concludes by asserting Poe's enduring impact on literature and his continued relevance today.
3. Romanticism and Gothic: [This chapter is missing from the provided text and therefore cannot be summarized.]
4. Analysis of the Poem “The Raven”: [This chapter is missing detailed content in the provided text to create a 75+ word summary. The sub-sections mentioned do not offer sufficient information for a comprehensive analysis.]
5. Summary: [This chapter is the conclusion and should not be summarized per instructions.]
Keywords
Edgar Allan Poe, "The Raven," American poetry, Romanticism, Gothic literature, biography, literary analysis, poetry interpretation, 19th-century American literature, The Philosophy of Composition.
Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven": A Comprehensive Language Preview - FAQ
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The essay covers Edgar Allan Poe's biography, its influence on his writing style, and a detailed analysis of "The Raven." It explores the poem through various literary lenses, examining its place within Romanticism and Gothic literature, and assessing Poe's overall contribution to American literature.
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Key themes include the power and impact of poetry, the influence of Poe's life on his work, literary analysis of "The Raven," Poe's contribution to Romanticism and Gothic literature, and his lasting legacy.
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The table of contents lists the following sections: Introduction, Biography, Romanticism and Gothic, Analysis of the Poem “The Raven” (with subsections: The headline, The Verses, Musicality and the Philosophy of Composition), and Summary.
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The biography chapter details Poe's early life, including the loss of his parents, his struggles at university, his military service, his career difficulties, his marriage and its tragic end, and his struggles with addiction. It highlights the controversies surrounding his death and emphasizes his lasting impact on literature.
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Keywords include: Edgar Allan Poe, "The Raven," American poetry, Romanticism, Gothic literature, biography, literary analysis, poetry interpretation, 19th-century American literature, and The Philosophy of Composition.
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- Anja Frank (Author), 2006, Edgar Allan Poe: Interpretation of his poem "The Raven", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/127464
