What does the Raven in Edgar Allen Poe's poem symbolize?

-- Anonymous, October 30, 2003

Answers

It wasnt a symbol, this poem was thought of after a talk with Charles Dickens. You see, Poe had a meeting to attend with Charles and when Charles arrived he was in tears. Poe asked what was wrong and Charles explained that his family pet died and how it died. Poe asked what kind of pet was it, a dog or cat? He said, no, our family doesnt own ordinary pets, our pet was a raven. Then Poe thought up the poem as a sort of tribute to Dickens.

-- Anonymous, October 30, 2003