A horror story is a story that provides a gruesome scary story with scary imaginary and fearful settings. However, is that always the case when reading a horror story or poem? The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe is a horror poem, despite not being like one. We know it as gothic horror. The characteristics used in gothic horror are its characters, setting, theme, and wordplay, as well as being a story that readers can relate to. Because "The Raven" conveys a piece of gothic horror, it uses these four characteristics throughout its tale. Starting with its first characteristic being the characters, the use of a lonely character in a state of deep emotion brings a mysterious vibe to the speaker, which can bring suspense to the story. There is also the …show more content…
There is also the idea of the bird not even existing and is just a creation within the speaker's mind of the ghost of his wife haunting him also provides a feeling of horror. The second characteristic used is the theme, the use of theme also plays a part in it being considered a horror poem. The theme used within the poem is a dark and deep theme that can fit the horror genre perfectly. The theme of how it feels trying to move on from the loss of a loved one but you seem incapable of doing so provides a strong realistic feeling that can feel scary to most readers. Also used in this theme is a mix of psychological and paranormal ideas which brings feelings that can make a story a horror story. The third characteristic used is the atmosphere and setting of the story, which can also play a part in it becoming a horror poem. The poem starts off with "Once upon a midnight dreary". This provides a feeling of dread for the readers. There is also the word choice that the speaker provides that paints eerie thoughts and feelings for the readers. Phrases such as "Darkness there and nothing more", "Deep into that darkness peering", and "ghastly grim" provide a dark setting and dread-like feeling when reading the phrase especially because of the word darkness being used thoroughly throughout the