Discussion Topic

Description of the speaker's chamber in Poe's "The Raven"

Summary:

The speaker's chamber in Poe's "The Raven" is described as a dark, dreary room filled with books and forgotten lore. It is a melancholic and eerie setting, reflecting the speaker's sorrow and longing for his lost Lenore. The chamber's somber atmosphere is enhanced by the dim lighting and the midnight setting, contributing to the poem's overall mood of despair and haunting mystery.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

How is the "chamber" described in Poe's poem "The Raven"?

The chamber in “The Raven” is not described in any one place, but as the poem continues there are little clues dropped describing it.  It is a mostly dreary room, but there are some elements of comfort including purple silk curtains and a cushioned chair.  The choice of colors, and the darkness, are all gothic elements.

The speaker in “The Raven” is sitting in his chamber studying a book of “forgotten lore” (line 4).  The chamber has a door that the bird can tap on.  The chamber has a fireplace where “each separate dying ember wrought its ghost/upon the floor” (line 14-15).  The curtains are purple and made of silk (p. 24), and there is lattice outside the windows (line 61) and shutters (p. 70), and he sits in a “cushioned seat” with wheels (line 123). 

There is also an interesting bust over the door, where the Raven perches.

Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my
          chamber door—
     Perched, and sat, and nothing more.(line 78-80)

All in all, the chamber seems pretty typical and comfortable.  Pallas was a Titan associated with war, and there are several birds named after him.

As the poem continues, the speaker gets more and more unnerved.  It is likely not just the gloomy room but the dark night that causes his unrest, and of course his grief about his lost love Lenore.

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

What is the description of the speaker's chamber in "The Raven"?

In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven," little is revealed about the chamber at whose door the ominous raven appears and quotes "Nevermore!"  In the second stanza a fire has been lit in the fireplace, and it casts an eerie glow.  In order to set the mood, Poe states that he seeks "surcease of sorrow" from his books, so there is probably a bookcase or shelves for books. 

In the seventh stanza the bird continues to rap, and the speaker flings open his door only for the raven to fly into the room and perch upon "a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door."  This detail suggests that the room is decorated in a classic style since Pallas Athena is the Greek god of wisdom.  In the twelfth stanza, Poe decides to sit down and watch, beguiled.  He wheels a "cushioned seat," perhaps in the Victorian style, suggesting that he has a comfortable chair that can be wheeled.  Into this chair. he sinks and leans his head against the backing.  On this luxurious velvet lining  of the chair, the lamplight seems to gloat over!

The tone is ominous as the large raven casts foreboding shadows from atop the bust of Pallas.  The books sit silently, some with pages open as the speaker's activities have been broken off.  The dark violet cushions bespeak gloom, as well, in a room that should have been comfortable.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial