... simultaneously stimulated his readers' mental, emotional, and spiritual feelings. Despite his surface simplicity, Poe's artistry can be appreciated only when a reader explores his use of literary devices. In "The Raven,"" the persona begins his tale in his home on a dark and gloomy December night in this paraphrase: Once, during a dreary midnight, while I pondered, weak and weary, over many amusing and peculiar forgotten folk ... somewhat louder than before (31-32). "Probably something is at my window alcove. Let me see, then, what it is, let my heart calm down, and explore this mystery...

• Word Count: 2508
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School