In the raven

Question

Who is telling the story? Can we trust them? Why or why not?

Answer 1

In "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe, the story is narrated by an unnamed character.

Whether we can trust the narrator is subject to interpretation and analysis, as Poe intentionally portrays the narrator as an unreliable and possibly insane character. The narrator's state of mind is clearly disturbed, as he is mourning the loss of his beloved Lenore and is tormented by the presence of the raven. His constant questioning and desperation for answers make his sanity questionable.

Additionally, the repetitive and erratic behavior of the narrator, such as his descent into madness and self-destructive thoughts, raises doubts about the reliability of his account. Furthermore, the supernatural elements and the raven's seemingly supernatural knowledge cast doubt on the reality of the narrator's experience.

Therefore, while the narrator provides a detailed account of the events, his mental instability and the presence of the supernatural elements suggest that his tale may be influenced by his disturbed state of mind rather than objective reality.