The Raven: 17-18
Rhyme Scheme
Stanza 18
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting,still is sitting DD
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door; B
Analysis of Stanza 18
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming EE
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor; B EE
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor B
Rhyme Scheme
The raven has not moved from its place on the statue of Athena outside of his chamber. The raven scares Poe with its eyes that seem to be in a fixated trance. The raven sits under a lamp that casts its shadow on the floor, which symbolizes its inherently evil quality. Like the shadow on the floor, Poe's spirit and hope for a better future will never be lifted or consoled. His hope will remain on the floor.
Stanza 17
Shall be lifted - nevermore! B
"Be that word our sign in parting, bird or fiend!" I shrieked upstarting- CC
"Get the back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore! B
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoke! D
Leave my loneliness unbroken- quit the bust above my door! B D
Allusions
Take thy beak from out of my heart, and take thy form from off my door!" B
Analysis of Stanza 17
Quoth the Raven - nevermore! B
Night's Plutonian Shore - This is an allusion to the Roman god, Pluto. The narrator uses this phrase as a metaphor for hell where Plutonian is an adjective meaning dark and evil, alluding to the vile nature of the mythical Pluto.
Pallas - This is another allusion to Greek mythology. This allused to a very well-known and revered godess from Greek culture, Pallas Athena.
Poe is upset that the bird keeps repeating, "Nevermore," thus he says that the conversation should end and Poe starts to lose control of his anger. Poe condemns the raven and tells it to go back to the violent storm and eerie night it came from. Poe tells the raven to not leave any trace of its visit and he is fed up with its lies. Poe implores the raven to leave his presence and to stop playing with his emotions, however, the raven will not move.
Foreign Words
Analytical Questions
Upstarting - To jump up (as to one's feet) suddenly.
Tempest - A violent storm.
Plutonian - Of, relating to, or characteristic of Pluto or the lower world.
Plume - A feather or group of feathers on a bird.
Pallid - Deficient in color, lacking sparkle or livelines.
