Posted: May 12th, 2023

Write a sentence that states your position

Paper instructions:

Paragraph 1, Introduction (5-6 sentences)

Introduce the poem and the author.
Write a sentence that states your position. (i.e., The raven is real/imaginary in Edgar Allan Poe’s poem, “The Raven.”)
Present 3 reasons that support your position that the raven is real or imaginary.

Paragraph 2, Evidence (6-8 sentences)
In this paragraph, you will discuss each of your reasons Use textual evidence (quotes) to support each of the reason the raven is either real or imaginary.
Provide 1-2 sentences for each reason and include textual evidence supporting your position. Quotes from the poem do not count toward the number of required sentences.

Paragraph 3, Conclusion (4-5 sentences)
Restate your position and the reasons you believe the raven is real or imaginary.
Do not just repeat your thesis statement or state that you stand by your position. Instead, show your reader why your position is important and demonstrate a connection between your reasons.
Leave your reader with a memorable idea that shows your position is interesting and valid.
Be sure to proofread and check for grammatical and spelling errors
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Title: The Reality of the Raven in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven”

Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” is a haunting and iconic poem that has captured the imagination of readers for generations. The poem revolves around the speaker’s encounter with a mysterious raven that visits him in the middle of the night, bringing him nothing but sorrow and despair. In this paper, I argue that the raven is imaginary in the poem. My reasons for this position are that the raven is a symbol of the speaker’s grief, it does not interact with other characters in the poem, and its supernatural behavior is inconsistent with reality.

Firstly, the raven in the poem is a symbol of the speaker’s grief. It represents his inability to let go of his lost love, Lenore, and his anguish over her death. This is evident in the repetition of the phrase “Nevermore,” which is the raven’s only response to the speaker’s questions. This repetition emphasizes the speaker’s sorrow and the finality of death. As the raven is a symbol, it is not a real bird.

Secondly, the raven does not interact with any other characters in the poem. It is only the speaker who acknowledges the raven’s presence and talks to it. The maid, who is mentioned in the poem, does not seem to notice the raven’s existence, even though it is perched on the bust of Pallas above the chamber door. This suggests that the raven is a figment of the speaker’s imagination.

Finally, the raven’s supernatural behavior is inconsistent with reality. The raven speaks, which is impossible for a bird in reality. Moreover, it understands the speaker’s questions and responds to them appropriately. These behaviors are not natural for a real bird and suggest that the raven is a product of the speaker’s imagination.

In conclusion, the raven in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” is imaginary. It is a symbol of the speaker’s grief and does not interact with any other characters in the poem. Additionally, its supernatural behavior is inconsistent with reality. The poem is a powerful representation of the human experience of grief and loss, and the raven serves as a poignant symbol of the speaker’s anguish. Poe’s use of the imaginary raven emphasizes the depth of the speaker’s sorrow and the difficulty of letting go of a loved one.