The narrator lived in a time of increasing scientific discovery, and rising capitalism. The foundation for the rise of the “robber barons” was being set. It was a time of increasing scientific discoveries, which would soon give rise to the age of psychology. Poe lived in a time where people looked outward, and expand their horizons, having hope for the future. During this time, Poe was not part of these movements. He was more interested in the supernatural, and found science to be at odds with his feelings of love, life, and death. He suffered many losses in his life, and his works often have an emphasis on despair or death. Poe’s lover died, which also affected him. In “The Raven,” written by Edgar Allan Poe, the narrator focuses on the loss and suffering, which is reflective of the time in which it was written.
Poe’s
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Some examples are the “Garden of Eden”, and “balm of Gilead”. The Gilead is a city, referenced several times in the old testament. It was known for its spices and herbs, that were used for their healing properties. The character in the poem is lonely and bereft. He has no human comfort, and hopes that he is able to see Lenore once more. Many people throughout the ages sought comfort from the bible. The characters i looking for comfort, and asks “Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore!”(Poe 94). He is begging for the Raven to respond to him, but questioning if there really is a balm. Besides biblical references, the narrator is tormented by the Roman god of the underworld. “Get thee back into the tempest and the Night’s Plutonian shore!”.(Poe 98) He curses the raven, wanting it to go back to the underworld. Capitalism values individual achievement, and hard work. It embodies the idea of “survival of the fittest”. As others succeed, many can be left by the wayside, such as Poe. The direction of increased industrialization was away from traditional biblical