Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
In the poem "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe, the raven refers to a symbol of darkness and death. It represents the narrator's descent into madness and his inability to escape from his grief.
Symbolism is when an object or action represents something deeper or more abstract than its literal meaning. For example, in "The Raven," the raven symbolizes death and despair.
Personification is when non-human objects or animals are given human characteristics. In "The Raven," the raven is personified because it can speak and interact with the narrator as if it were human.
Grief: Grief refers to intense sorrow or sadness that one experiences after a loss. In "The Raven," the narrator's grief over losing his loved one drives him to madness as he converses with the raven.