Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Edgar Allan Poe's Use of Rhetorical Analysis in "The Raven"
Poe uses rhetorical analysis in "The Raven" to invoke the feeling of melancholy into the reader in response to beauty. This mood is given off is an example of pathos. In the poem, the speaker's desperate begging of the raven shows such despair. Poe also admits to using the sound of the refrain "nevermore" to reveal melancholy (Poe 2). The speaker of the word "nevermore", The Raven, is yet another exmaple of rhetoric (2). The "ebony bird" is "grave stern", "ghastly grim" (2). These words which describe the raven add to the mood of the poem. The bird is grim and eery, yet beautiful all the same. The rhythm and use of alliteration additionally fuel the poem. In stanza 13, Poe uses the ending "-ining" repeatedly along with the sound of "f" in "fowl...fiery" and "v"along with "t" in the words "velvet violet" (2). Each word has a harsh element, like the "v" sound, for example, but a soft element, too. This element corresponds with the happy and sad sides of melancholy. In general, the overall scene of a dark, lonely night contrasting with the warm, safe chamber of the speaker's hosue is another way Poe uses rhetorical analysis. Through the tone of the poem, Poe illustrates the speaker's feelings of melancholy.
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First: Good job!
ReplyDeleteOk when you say that poe desperatlly begs the raven- make sure you include an example, just somehting from the text to support and verify you claim. You also say that words used to describe the raven, relate to the mood, state why?! What are the happy sides of melancholy?? I think the idea of the setting is an interesting way to look at rhetorical analysis, and contrasting the character's surroundings, however you have no textual evidence to support, that the room was infact warm and safe, and you don't explain how this scene is an example of rhetorical analysis!
OVer all GOOD JOB
see you bright and early 5:30 :)
liz
yeah i agree with LIz, you did a really good job analyzing the piece and you make a really good point! I think that Poe is indeed using his word choice to set a tone of melancholy as well as a overall somber setting. I also think that Poe sort of modulates his stanza so that they increase in intensity. For example, the raven starts out as merely a "stately raven", but then as the work progresses, the raven becomes, like you said, "ghastly" and "ominous". You made some really good points...it was really good!
ReplyDeleteGood job Meg! Overall your idea was very good. It is clear that Poe writes about melancholy and he portrays it through the raven. One thing I would suggest working on is evidence. You make some claims that are hard to prove, like the idea of the "v" and how it provokes feeling. That is something that is hard to prove and you don't use any evidence in your response for this idea. Maybe take that idea out or find a way to prove it. But great job!! I'll be posting mine soon :)
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