A BRIEF PORTRAYAL OF MELANCHOLY IN E.A. POE’S “THE RAVEN”

A BRIEF PORTRAYAL OF MELANCHOLY IN E.A. POE’S “THE RAVEN”

Abdil Celal, Yasmali
Emrah, Peksoy

Edgar Allan Poe expresses his groundbreaking ideas on writing the best piece of art in “The Philosophy of Composition”, one of his most particular essays on the issue. He suggests that length, unity of effect and a logical method that drives the writer to use whatever he/she can utilize emotionally to convey the desired effect are important considerations for a well designed writing. “The Raven” was first published in the New York Evening Mirror in 1845, and since then it is one of the most discussed, performed, criticized, memorized and televised poem in American literary tradition. Although more than 150 years have passed since the first publication, the poem still preserves its fame in literary circles and continues to pierce through the imaginations of all generations, urging them to study on it. Regarded as one of the most wellknown American poets in 19th century, Poe is famous for his dark, gloomy, sensational style and mentally haunted characters in poetry as well as in short story. Therefore, in this study, we tried to explore Poe’s aforementioned aspects of writing a piece of art by dismantling the poem’s plot, setting, characters, symbols, musical language and other fantastic elements. In consequence, we will try to specify how melancholy and dreary mood are accomplished in “The Raven” by means of the poem’s structure and style. By this feeling, we will go through “The Raven” also highlighting how the poem’s peculiar feeling of terror easily lures even the stoniest natures. Keywords: Edgar Allan Poe, Poetry, The Raven, Melancholy, Unity of Effect

Conference or Workshop Item
PeerReviewed

2014

3343