Final answer:
In 'The Raven,' the 'balm in Gilead' symbolizes healing relief. The narrator seeks comfort for his despair, but the raven's reply 'Nevermore' suggests no such relief is available.
Step-by-step explanation:
The biblical reference 'balm in Gilead' from Edgar Allan Poe's poem 'The Raven' symbolizes a healing remedy or relief. In the context of the poem, the narrator is seeking solace from his sorrow after the loss of his beloved Lenore. When he asks the raven if there is 'balm in Gilead', he's essentially inquiring if there's a way to ease his suffering or find comfort for his despair, to which the raven responds 'Nevermore,' signifying that the narrator will not find the peace he seeks.