What is the main idea of 'The Raven' by Edgar Allan Poe?
The raven haunts the man while being awfully depressed by his long lost love.
Who is depressed? The raven or the man?
I think you need to re-read the poem. Read it like a story, not a poem. Don't stop at the end of each line.
Try to summarize it one stanza at a time.
Let us know how you understand it.
To determine the main idea of a literary work, we can analyze the key themes and elements presented in the text. In the case of "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe, we can start by examining the overall tone, symbolism, and narrative structure.
"The Raven" is a narrative poem about a man who is visited by a mysterious talking raven. The poem explores themes of loss, grief, and the human psyche. The main idea can be interpreted as the protagonist's descent into madness as he grapples with the overwhelming sorrow of losing his beloved Lenore.
To understand this, note that the raven is a symbolic representation of a messenger from the underworld or the afterlife, as well as a deeply ominous and sorrowful presence. The bird's repetition of the word "Nevermore" serves to intensify the protagonist's feelings of hopelessness and despair. The raven's constant presence eventually breaks down the man's sanity, causing him to become obsessed with the bird and consumed by his grief.
To fully grasp the main idea of "The Raven," it is important to read and analyze the poem's language, imagery, and symbolism carefully, paying attention to the main character's emotional journey and the overarching themes of loss and despair.