The raven allusions

Allusions in the raven

1. The Raven Allusions
The Bust of Pallas
Balm of Gilead
Plutonian Shore

2. Allusions
An allusion is a reference, within a
literary work, to another work of fiction, a
film, a piece of art, or even a real event.
Poe risks alienating readers who do not
recognize these references.
Why?
Readers who get the allusions gain a
richer understanding of the work

3. The Raven Allusions
The Bust of Pallas Locations
Stanza 7, Line 41
Stanza 12, Line 68
Stanza 17, Line98
•A bust is a statue that extends from the head
to the waist.
•She is the goddess of wisdom

4. Athena- Goddess of
Wisdom and Beauty
•Why does he use this
allusion? These are my
theories
•Irony- The bird only says “nevermore.” He
appears to be un-wise. But, he could be
wise
•Used to show his unstable mental state.
No one would believe a bird would take on
the characteristics of what it lands on

5. The Balm of Gilead
Stanza 15, line 89
This is a biblical allusion to the bible:
Jeremiah 22
• It is a healing ointment to eliminate pain.
• Symbolizes hope, peace, and end to
pain

6. The Balm of Gilead
• He wants anything to take away the pain
he feels not having Lenore.
• Because it is biblical there’s an aspect of
Christianity, but I’m not sure he is a
Christian.

7. The Plutonian Shore
Hades- God of
the Undeworld
The Shores of
Tartarus (the
worst part)

8. Why does Poe Use it?
• Location Stanza 16,
Line 92
• He feels like is in a living Hades by
the torture of not having Lenore!
• Symbolism of death. It combines all
horrible things about death.
• Mood- to keep the mood of sadness
alive.