JOURNAL ARTICLE

"The Raven" and the Philosophy of Refrain.

  • Published In: Poe Studies: History, Theory, Interpretation, 2025, v. 58. P. 156 1 of 3

  • Database: Humanities Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: 伊藤詔子, Shoko Itoh; Miller, J. Scott; Koslow, Austin 3 of 3

Abstract

The article explores the thematic and structural connections between Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven" and Herman Melville's short story "Bartleby, The Scrivener." It highlights the symbolic significance of the raven and Bartleby as "mysterious strangers" who disrupt their respective narrators' lives, leading to profound existential reflections. The analysis draws parallels between the repeated phrases "I prefer not to" in "Bartleby" and "Nevermore" in "The Raven," suggesting that both serve as pivotal refrains that deepen the narratives' emotional and philosophical complexities. Additionally, the article discusses the broader implications of these works within the context of American Romantic literature, emphasizing their exploration of themes such as alienation, despair, and the search for meaning in a fragmented world. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Poe Studies: History, Theory, Interpretation. 2025/01, Vol. 58, p156
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Literature and Writing
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:19474644
  • DOI:10.1353/poe.2025.a971635
  • Accession Number:189263470
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Poe Studies: History, Theory, Interpretation is the property of Johns Hopkins University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Looking to go deeper into this topic? Look for more articles on EBSCOhost.