The Raven (excerpt)

Question

Edgar Allan Poe

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping - rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door-
Only this and nothing more."

Ah, distinctly I remember, it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow - vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore-
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore-
Nameless here for evermore.

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me - filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
"'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door-
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door-
This it is and nothing more."

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping - tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you - here I opened wide the door:-
Darkness there and nothing more.
Question
"And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor."

What ideas are suggested by this line (second line of the second stanza)?
Responses
A The fire's flames are symbolic of the love in his heart.The fire's flames are symbolic of the love in his heart.
B The smothering of the flames represents the smothering of the love he once felt for Lenore.The smothering of the flames represents the smothering of the love he once felt for Lenore.
C The separation of the embers represents a contrast to the speaker's feeling of connection to his beloved.The separation of the embers represents a contrast to the speaker's feeling of connection to his beloved.
D The dying of the fire is making the speaker think of the death of Lenore, and the possible appearance of her ghost.

Answer 1

D. The dying of the fire is making the speaker think of the death of Lenore, and the possible appearance of her ghost.

This line suggests a sense of loss and melancholy, as the "dying ember" can symbolize not only the fading warmth and light of the fire but also the emotional state of the speaker who is reflecting on the death of Lenore. The imagery evokes the idea that the remnants of the fire might be analogous to the lingering memory or presence of Lenore, suggesting the possibility of her ghost or spirit haunting his thoughts.