Critique Paper

CRITIQUE PAPER OF THE POEM “THE RAVEN”
The poem "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe is a mournful and haunting composition that
examines themes of grief, loss, and the experience of dying. An analysis of the poem from a
formalist perspective concentrate on how it is composed and structured, as well as how
language and imagery are used to convey its meaning. In this essay, we'll examine "The Raven"
from a formalist angle and list the figures of speech that author Edgar Allan Poe uses to convey
his menacing image.
It is crucial to first take note of the poem's structure. Using its verses to tell a story, "The Raven"
is a narrative poem. It has six lines in each of its eighteen stanzas and consistently uses the
rhyme scheme ABCBBB.
Moreover, the recurrence in "The Raven" is one of its most notable aspects. The poem's title
bird keeps saying "nevermore" to the speaker, which makes him feel even more hopeless. The
poem's themes of loss and sadness are emphasized by the repetition, which gives them a sense
of inevitable conclusion and finality. The phrase "quote the Raven" is repeated at the conclusion
of each stanza, adding a musicality and rhythm that heightens the poem's eerie atmosphere.
In addition to, the use of imagery in "The Raven" is another important aspect. To evoke a sense
of mystery, Poe uses evocative descriptions of the raven, the chamber, and the night. despair
and doom. The raven, for instance, is described as "grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and
ominous," which evokes apprehension and anxiety. Also described as "bleak" and "dying," the
room adds to the speaker's sense of desolation and hopelessness.
When it comes to figures of speech, "The Raven" employs a variety of strategies to produce its
eerie vision. Personification is one of the most important figures of speech in the poem,
especially in the raven's description. Poe gives the bird humanlike characteristics such as
speech and the ability afflict the speaker emotionally. Poe's literature is known for its use of
personification to evoke a sense of supernatural dread.
Other figures of speech used in the poem include alliteration, which can be seen in phrases like
"weak and weary" and "nodded, nearly napping," as well as metaphor, like when the raven is
described as a "grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird." These figures of speech
enhance the musicality of the poem and conjure up vivid images in the reader's mind.
The poem "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe, which examines themes of grief, loss, and the
experience of death, is eerie and mournful. The poem's meticulous structure and thoughtful use
perspective. The poem uses a range of rhetorical devices, such as metaphor, alliteration,
repetition, and personification, to create its haunting and unforgettable vision.
"The Raven" has some formalist aspects, but it also has several problems. The poem's lack of
variety in tone could be one of its weaknesses. There are no rays of hope or brightness to break
up the monotonous melancholy throughout the poem. While this can be useful in evoking a
feeling of despondency and hopelessness, the reader might find it a little boring.
The dependence on symbolism in "The Raven" is another flaw. Even though formalist critics
prioritize language and structure over content, symbols remain a crucial component of a work's
form. The raven is a clear sign of loss and death in "The Raven," and the word "nevermore" is
used frequently to emphasize this meaning. Although it could be helpful for giving the poetry
a sense of unity, this might also come out as clumsy and unnecessarily direct.
In conclusion, "The Raven" is an outstanding illustration of a formalist work of literature, with

its use of rhyme, meter, and repetition producing a sense of dread and sorrow throughout the
poem. The poem's weaknesses, such as its repetitive tone and excessive reliance on symbolism,
may prevent it from being a truly exceptional piece of poetry. Nevertheless, "The Raven" is
still a captivating and powerful poem that grabs readers' attention more than a century after it
was first published.

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CRITIQUE PAPER OF THE POEM “THE RAVEN”

In conclusion, "The Raven" is an outstanding illustration of a formalist work of literature, with

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