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Question: I have trouble understanding this passage of "The Raven" HELP!!! 10 points!!!!?
Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
`Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,' I said, `art sure no craven!.
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the nightly shore -
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!'
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore!.'

i know that the raven entered his home and he smiled at the bird!.!.!.and then i am completely lost at the Second line
i also have to connect it to his life!.!.!.could th character in the poem have been drinking after his wife died (like E!.A!. Poe did!?)Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
The bird starts to interest him and he begins to cheer up slightly at the raven's sombre expression!. It's feathers are bedraggled and missing in places, but he can tell it was once a fine example of a noble bird!. Basically, he says "Old bird, seeking shelter from the night, what is your name!?" The rest is clear enough!. There's no mention of drink in the poem a far as I can remember, but as the main character is dwelling on his deceased love, he's probably doing so over a little drinkie!.Www@QuestionHome@Com