What is the theme of The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe?

http://www.answers.com/topic/theme-literature

What lesson or hidden message do you think Poe was trying to get across to his readers by means of this poem?

http://web.uvic.ca/~joanj/raven/poe.htm

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The theme of "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe is primarily the narrator's descent into madness, grief, and his obsession with the past. To determine the theme of a literary work like "The Raven," you usually have to analyze the patterns, emotions, and symbolism present in the text.

To grasp the theme, you should read the poem carefully, paying attention to the narrator's state of mind, his dialogue with the raven, and the overall atmosphere created by Poe's use of language and symbolism. Look for recurring motifs and symbols, such as darkness, despair, and the raven itself, to gain additional insights.

Moreover, consider how the narrator's feelings and experiences resonate with the reader on a deeper level. "The Raven" explores themes of loss, sorrow, and the torment of the human mind. Through the narrator's obsession with the bird, the poem depicts the relentless presence of grief and the inability to escape from it.

By analyzing the poem's structure, language, and symbolism, as well as reflecting on your personal understanding and emotional response to the text, you can determine the theme of "The Raven" as the narrator's descent into madness, grief, and his fixation on the past.