Question

How does the speaker interpret the word "Nevermore" in "The Raven"?

a) He interprets it in increasingly dire ways and decides that not only will he feel no relief from grief, but he will not be reunited with Lenore.
b) He interprets it as a symbol of hopelessness that he will forever be trapped with the raven in his bed chamber and never escape.
c) He interprets it as a sign that the bird is sent to bring him news of Lenore, and that the bird has been sent to test him.

Answer 1

In 'The Raven,' the speaker interprets the word 'Nevermore' in increasingly dire ways, representing grief, hopelessness, and a test from the bird. The word emphasizes the speaker's despair.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the poem 'The Raven,' the speaker interprets the word 'Nevermore' in increasingly dire ways. Initially, he interprets it as a symbol of his grief and the fact that he will never find relief or be reunited with Lenore. As the poem progresses, the speaker also sees the word as a sign that the raven has been sent to bring him news of Lenore and to test him. The repeated use of 'Nevermore' by the raven serves to emphasize the speaker's despair and the feeling that he will never escape from it.