"
The Raven" is a
narrative poem by
American writer Edgar Allan Poe. First published in January 1845, the poem is often noted for its musicality, stylized language, and
supernatural atmosphere. It tells of a
talking raven's mysterious visit to a distraught lover, tracing the man's slow fall into madness. The lover, often identified as being a student, is lamenting the loss of his love, Lenore. Sitting on a bust of
Pallas, the raven seems to further instigate his distress with its constant repetition of the word "Nevermore". The poem makes use of a number of
folk, mythological, religious, and
classical references.