Place the Protagonist Symbol Here
Explanation: I selected the silhouette of a melancholic man to represent the protagonist, who is a nameless narrator in "The Raven." This character is deeply immersed in sorrow and despair, as experienced through the loss of his beloved Lenore. The constant yearning for her and the ensuing madness as he converses with the raven encapsulates his mental and emotional state throughout the poem, as he grapples with themes of grief and hopelessness (Poe). The silhouette symbolizes not only his isolation but also the profound darkness that consumes him, reflecting his internal struggles depicted in lines where he laments "nevermore."
Place the Conflict Symbol Here
Explanation: I chose a broken hourglass to symbolize the conflict in "The Raven," which centers around the protagonist's battle with his overwhelming grief and the desire for clarity. The hourglass represents the passage of time, which the narrator feels slipping away as he faces the permanence of Lenore's absence. This idea resonates in the poem when the narrator becomes increasingly frantic, realizing that no matter how much he implores the raven for answers, he is only met with the haunting refrain of "nevermore," underscoring his struggle against the inexorable passage of time and the futility of his hopes (Poe).
Place the Setting Symbol Here
Explanation: I selected an image of a darkened chamber with a window to symbolize the setting of "The Raven." The poem unfolds within the confines of the narrator's dimly lit room, filled with "forgotten lore" and echoes of his lost love. This isolation mirrors his mental state, as the shadows in the room represent his internal despair (Poe). The window becomes a pivotal symbol, showcasing the dichotomy between the outside world, which he longs to connect with, and his own oppressive solitude, further illustrating how his environment influences his state of mind.
Place the Plot Symbol Here
Explanation: I selected a spiral staircase as a symbol for the plot of "The Raven," particularly as it relates to the rising action and climax. The staircase evokes the sense of descending into madness, much like the narrator's escalating emotional turmoil as he engages with the raven. As he spirals deeper into despair, his initial calm deteriorates into desperation, reflecting the building tension of the poem as repeated interactions with the raven bring him closer to his breaking point (Poe). The climax occurs when he realizes that the raven represents his permanent grief, epitomized by the metaphorical descent of the staircase that leads him further down into hopelessness.