The "bust of Pallas"

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What is the "bust of Pallas" and what does it represent? It is in the last part of The Raven.

-- Anonymous, January 01, 2005

Answers

a bust is a portrait or a statue of a persons head in this case Pallas. im not sure of the signifigance.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2005

The Bust of Pallas is in reference with the roman God Pallas! He was the God of Virtue, Dignity & Honor. In the poem the narrotor has obviosily done something he is ashamed of or is troubled. The bust of Pallas reminds him of what has happened, and seeing the statue makes him feel bad because he knows of the good the god possesed.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2005

I have to disagree with Crystal here. From what I know, Pallas is Athena, who is the goddess of wisdom. The raven's sitting on the head stands for its wisdom and knowledge of everything that is asked.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2005

Poe is doubtless one of the world's most gifted storytellers.

-- Anonymous, February 25, 2005

Kathy v. does have some information right but not all. Yes the bust is of Pallas Athena the Goddess of wisdom, but the raven is not sitting on the head because it stands for wisdom and knowledge. In the christian religion the raven was associated with Pallas Athena, the bird was the messenger. But when the raven did not inform Noah about the weather and blew him off, Pallas set aside the bird and claimed the dove. The raven perching itself on the bust of Pallas Athena is ironic, because PAllas rejected the raven.

-- Anonymous, March 16, 2005


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