Why ‘The Raven,’ Edgar Allan Poe’s Narrative Poem About A Distraught Lover And A Talking Bird, Remains An American Classic

Laura Kiniry at the Smithsonian magazine offers a piece on why Poe’s poem The Raven is an American classic.

When the New York Evening Mirror published Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Raven” on January 29, 1845, it catapulted both the work and its author to instant fame.

Poe, known for his macabre and Gothic style, was no stranger to audiences. He’d already penned and published short stories like “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” (1841) and “The Black Cat” (1843). Still, it was this stylized and rhythmic ballad of 18 six-line stanzas that most resonated with readers, making Poe a household name.

“The Raven” tells the tale of a grieving narrator mourning the death of his lover, Lenore. On a particularly dreary December night, he hears a raven tapping at his window. When the narrator opens the window, in steps the raven, perching itself on his bust of Pallas Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom. There it stands, constantly repeating the word “Nevermore,” while driving the narrator into madness.

You can read the rest of the piece via the link below:

 Discover Why 'The Raven,' Edgar Allan Poe's Narrative Poem About a Distraught Lover and a Talking Bird, Remains an American Classic | Smithsonian

You can also read The Raven via the link below:

The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe - Poems | Academy of American Poets

And you can read my Philadelphia Weekly Crime Beat column on Poe in Philadelphia via the link below:    

Paul Davis On Crime: A Look Back At Poe In Philadelphia: My Philadelphia Weekly 'Crime Beat' Column On Edgar Allan Poe's Creative Peak In Philly