This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Question

From “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe
55 But the Raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
56 That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
57 Nothing farther then he uttered—not a feather then he fluttered—
58 Till I scarcely more than muttered “Other friends have flown before—
59 On the morrow he will leave me, as my Hopes have flown before.”
60 Then the bird said “Nevermore.”

61 Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
62 “Doubtless,” said I, “what it utters is its only stock and store
63 Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
64 Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore—
65 Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
66 Of ‘Never—nevermore’.”

67 But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy into smiling,
68 Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and door;
69 Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
70 Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore—
71 What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
72 Meant in croaking “Nevermore.”
Part A
How does the connotative meaning of the word “Nevermore” change over the course of this section of the poem?
Answer choices for the above question

A. The connotative meaning changes from negative to positive.

B. The connotative meaning changes from neutral to positive.

C. The connotative meaning changes from neutral to negative.

D. The connotative meaning changes from positive to neutral.
Part B
Which of the following lines BEST supports the way in which the connotative meaning of the word “Nevermore” changes?
Answer choices for the above question

A. “But the Raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only / That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.”

B. “On the morrow he will leave me, as my Hopes have flown before.” / Then the bird said “Nevermore.”

C. “Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore / Of ‘Never—nevermore’.”

D. “What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore / Meant in croaking “Nevermore.”

Answer 1

Part A
The correct answer is C. The connotative meaning changes from neutral to negative.
Initially, "Nevermore" carries a somewhat neutral tone as it simply reflects the bird's repetition of the word. However, as the speaker contemplates its implications, particularly in relation to lost hopes and friends, the meaning shifts to a more negative connotation, associated with despair and permanence.

Part B
The line that BEST supports the way in which the connotative meaning of the word “Nevermore” changes is C. “Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore / Of ‘Never—nevermore’.”
This line illustrates how the word "Nevermore" has come to symbolize a loss of hope and a sense of melancholy, aligning with the negative connotation the word takes on as the speaker reflects on its meaning.