In Edgar Allan Poe’s poem, “The Raven”, I believe the strongest gothic influence is exploration of the mind. Many emotions are explained and described in the poem, such as fear, sadness, and uneasiness. The emotions described really affect how the piece is interpreted because it shows the reaction the character has to his surroundings. Fear was a big part of the poem. He said “And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain thrilled me -- filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before..” (The Raven). The emotion here really sets up the story and sets the mood for what is to come. He can sense something is going to happen and he is afraid. “Deep into the darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before.” (The Raven). This quote demonstrates how his fear has taken over him and now he is thinking crazy thoughts because of all the possibilities that could happen. His mind has taken over and is giving him all these possibilities of what could possibly happen. The main character shows sadness throughout the poem for the loss of this person he loves, Lenore. “Vainly I had sought to borrow from my books surcease of sorrow, sorrow for the lost Lenore.” (The Raven). He is clearly grieving the loss of Lenore in this quote and somewhat overtaken by it. “But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,..” (The Raven). This quote also says again that he was sad, his soul was sad. He was so overtaken that his soul, most inner part of him, was also grieving.
