Completely Insane or Madly in Love?
ENG 2223
March 31, 2011
Completely Insane or Madly in Love?
Thesis: Although some scholars believe Edgar Allan Poe’s, “The Raven,” is another example of Poe creating an insane character, there is also evidence that this short story is simply an account of one man’s emotional journey of accepting the death of a lover, coping with his sorrow, and dealing with his loneliness.
I. Topic Sentence: First of all, the narrator clearly cannot accept the death of his lover, Lenore.
A. Claim— After admitting the loss of Lenore, he still thinks she is the visitor at his door.
Evidence— When the narrator finally decides to confront the noise outside his door, he says, “And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, ‘Lenore!’ This I whispered…” (Poe 1027).
Interpretation— This clearly shows that he cannot accept the death of his lover; he goes as far as to believe that she could be the tapping at his door.
B. Claim— Although the narrator knows Lenore is gone, the presence of the ominous bird make him second guess himself.
Evidence— The narrator states that “This I sat engaged and guessing, but no syllable expressing to the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom’s core; this and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining on the cushion’s velvet lining that the lamplight gloated o’er, but whose velvet lining with the lamplight gloating o’er she shall press, ah, nevermore!” (Poe 1028).
Interpretation— The narrator knows Lenore has passed, but the ominous bird makes him yearn to know where she is. If the bird says she is gone for good, he is hell sent; but, if the bird says she is still here, he is heaven sent.
II. Topic Sentence—Secondly, the narrator is trying to cope with the sorrow of losing Lenore.
A. Claim—The narrator is overwhelmed with sorrow from the loss of his lover, Lenore.
Evidence— Alone on a dreary December
March 31, 2011
Completely Insane or Madly in Love?
Thesis: Although some scholars believe Edgar Allan Poe’s, “The Raven,” is another example of Poe creating an insane character, there is also evidence that this short story is simply an account of one man’s emotional journey of accepting the death of a lover, coping with his sorrow, and dealing with his loneliness.
I. Topic Sentence: First of all, the narrator clearly cannot accept the death of his lover, Lenore.
A. Claim— After admitting the loss of Lenore, he still thinks she is the visitor at his door.
Evidence— When the narrator finally decides to confront the noise outside his door, he says, “And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, ‘Lenore!’ This I whispered…” (Poe 1027).
Interpretation— This clearly shows that he cannot accept the death of his lover; he goes as far as to believe that she could be the tapping at his door.
B. Claim— Although the narrator knows Lenore is gone, the presence of the ominous bird make him second guess himself.
Evidence— The narrator states that “This I sat engaged and guessing, but no syllable expressing to the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom’s core; this and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining on the cushion’s velvet lining that the lamplight gloated o’er, but whose velvet lining with the lamplight gloating o’er she shall press, ah, nevermore!” (Poe 1028).
Interpretation— The narrator knows Lenore has passed, but the ominous bird makes him yearn to know where she is. If the bird says she is gone for good, he is hell sent; but, if the bird says she is still here, he is heaven sent.
II. Topic Sentence—Secondly, the narrator is trying to cope with the sorrow of losing Lenore.
A. Claim—The narrator is overwhelmed with sorrow from the loss of his lover, Lenore.
Evidence— Alone on a dreary December
Cited: Poe, Edgar Allan. ""The Raven"." The Works of Edgar Allan Poe . Houstonville: Golgotha Press Print , 2010. 1042.