Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” is one of the most famous poems in American literature. It tells the story of a man who is visited by a mysterious raven in his chamber, as he mourns the loss of his beloved Lenore. The poem is renowned for its musicality, symbolism, and dark atmosphere. But how does the setting of the poem contribute to the mood of the piece? In this article, we will explore how Poe uses various elements of setting to create a Gothic and melancholic mood that reflects the speaker’s state of mind.
Contents
The Time and Place of the Poem
The first stanza of the poem establishes the time and place of the poem:
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore— While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. “’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door— Only this and nothing more.”
According to SparkNotes1, the opening lines of the poem set an eerie scene. The “dreary” night and tomes of “forgotten lore,” which many scholars interpret to mean books on the occult or dark magic, add a sense of Gothic horror. That the tapping rouses the speaker from his dozing suggests that the room is silent.
The second stanza reveals that the poem takes place in December, which is usually associated with winter, coldness, and death. The speaker also mentions that each “dying ember” of his fire casts a ghostly shadow on the floor, creating a spooky atmosphere.
The poem never specifies where exactly the speaker’s chamber is located, but some clues suggest that it may be in an old mansion or castle. For instance, the speaker refers to his door as a “chamber door,” which implies that it is part of a large and elaborate building. Moreover, the speaker describes the raven as perching on a bust of Pallas Athena, which is a classical sculpture that would fit in an antique or aristocratic setting.
The Raven as a Symbolic Element
The most prominent element of setting in the poem is the raven itself, which enters the speaker’s chamber in the seventh stanza:
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door— Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door— Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
The raven is a classically Gothic source of supernatural unease: a black bird with some mysterious intelligence—and the ability to talk, albeit sparingly—that sits “grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt” upon the bust of Pallas. Its presence reinforces the Gothic mood of the story, and enables the narrator’s dialogue that conveys his grief and anguish at the loss of Lenore.
The raven also symbolizes different things for the speaker throughout the poem. According to LitCharts, at first, it seems to be a messenger from beyond, bringing him news of Lenore’s fate. Then, it becomes a prophet, foretelling his doom. Finally, it becomes a tormentor, mocking his despair with its repeated word “Nevermore.”
The Speaker’s Mental State
The last element of setting that affects the mood of the poem is the speaker’s mental state. As the poem progresses, we see how he gradually descends into madness and despair. He starts by asking rational questions to the raven, hoping to find some comfort or explanation for his sorrow. However, as he realizes that the raven only answers with “Nevermore,” he becomes more agitated and desperate. He begins to imagine things that are not there, such as angels swinging incense or Lenore’s perfume filling the air. He also starts to accuse the raven of being evil and sent by Satan to torture him.
By the end of the poem, he admits that he has no hope left and that he will never escape from his misery:
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor Shall be lifted—nevermore!
The speaker’s mental state mirrors the dark and gloomy setting of his chamber. He is trapped in a nightmarish world where he cannot find any relief or solace from his grief.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Poe uses various elements of setting to create a Gothic and melancholic mood in “The Raven.” He sets the poem in a dreary night in December, in an old and mysterious chamber filled with books of dark lore. He introduces the raven as a sinister and symbolic creature that haunts and taunts him with its word “Nevermore.” He also shows how his speaker’s mental state deteriorates as he converses with the raven and loses all hope. Through these elements, Poe creates a powerful and memorable poem that explores the themes of loss, loneliness, and madness.
