Question

think about the choice of a raven in “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe. Why might Poe use a raven instead of another bird?

Answer 1

Because the raven meant death not life.

Answer 2

Poe uses a raven specifically because of its symbolic power. A raven is often considered a bad omen. In many cultures, ravens symbolize death, and this was the case during the Victorian Era. Moreover, ravens are capable of speech, but they are not commonly associated with this characteristic the way other birds are (such as parrots). Finally, the raven's color contributes to the story's gloomy mood in an aesthetic sense.