In The Raven, there is a line, "Tell this soul with sorrow laden, if within the distant Aidenn, it shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels named Lenore." In this line, what does Aidenn mean? I have reason to believe it may mean "Eden" in some dialect but I am not sure and would appreciate any feedback. Thank you.

-- Anonymous, November 17, 1999

Answers

It does meant Eden.. for who whoever ask the question.

-- Anonymous, November 18, 1999

yes he does mean Eden , or heaven

-- Anonymous, November 23, 1999

I'm sure you ppl would really know what Poe was thinking. He's dead and he was a very disturbed man. I wouldn't try to guess what he was thinking with that word. Unless you can contact the dead, I don't suppose you'll find out. Although your suggestion of it being Eden does seem to fit.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 1999

What does The Raven mean.

-- Anonymous, December 18, 1999

Aidenn is a word used in place of heaven or eden. It was used mainly in the greek mythology time. Poe was very well versed in greek mytholog

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2000

I think that it means heaven personally cause that is how I read it to be. But you can take the word anyway that will make you understand the point of The Raven.

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2000

Kesha,

In the context of the poem, the setting and ambience conveyed by Poe in The Raven, Aidenn simply refers to the existence of the characters human soul once the appalling burden of earthly life has passed. There may be many historical references that lend various meanings to the term Aidenn. However, the characters use of this word, I believe, is meant to impart a sense that, even from within the depths of his growing despair over the loss of Lenore, there still exists some measure of hope that, at least in death, he may be able to finally embrace the only love that has made his earthly existence worthy.

Aidenn merely represents a point of existence for him that is remote and apart from his sense of hopelessness. It represents neither heaven, nor hell. Nor does it seem to conjure up a glorious paradise or utopia. Given the characters sheer unrelenting desperation, the existence of such a place would offer no relief from his despondency and need of Lenore. Only a reaffirmation of their mutual adoration and love could do that. Where this reunion occurred was of little or no consequence. Only that it transpire!

To the pitiless despondent character in the poem, the Raven was a conceivable, and perhaps last link to this reunion. Initially, it was deemed a noble and stately bird, then merely an ungainly fowl. The raven then clearly demonstrated an intelligence through open discourse, however coincidental. As he contemplates the meaning of this unusual visit and strange conversation, he begins linking fancy unto fancy until, finally, in his desperation, the character was ultimately convinced the raven had been sent to mock and torture him. He began to demand answers. Each inquiry spoken in greater and greater fury because the answer, though aptly spoken, was simply not acceptable to him. Ultimately, he demands the birds departure and is refused even the dignity of his own loneliness. As the ravens shadow reminds him, he is forever trapped in his earthly life and will experience Lenores embrace Nevermore.

At least, thats my opinion, : )

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2000

I HAD TO RESEARCH THIS AND WENT TO THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF LITERARY REFERENCES WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT AIDENN WAS A MUSLIM PARADISE. HOPE THIS HELPED. BYE, MONICA

-- Anonymous, February 15, 2000

In the Raven Poe talks about a lost Lenore. She is his version of his true love Viginia Clemm. Virginia is described as having raven black hair and deep violet eyes. The color violet is present through the poem, that color is usually associated with royalty , Poe may have seen Virginia as his Queen.

-- Anonymous, March 04, 2000

Whoever reads this it means that you have no life to come to this websight. Go turn off T.v and turn on life.

loves and kisses, Monica

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

Go get a life katie smith it is live it

smarty pants

xoxoxoxo Nate

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

Aidenn does mean Heaven or Edon in Arabic. Yoink.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001

I have no aint' got nothing so shut fricken dumass

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2001

I have checked several sites and Eden or Heaven seems like the unanimous answer for the meaning of Aidenn. And I shall look at this site -Nevermore

-- Anonymous, November 01, 2001

BY aidenn he does mean eden or Heaven. Though he was a disturbed man, he was also a geniouse in his own way. If you look at it, he did not live in the greatest time of our history. When I say geniouse I mean that heis one of the worlds most greatest poets in the world.

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2001

E.A.Poe was an author known for his fantastic tales. Most of his work borders on the dark side. Nevertheless, one cannot deny the fact that he was a genius in his use of words to convey the mood and setting of all his tales and poetry, and thus I, too, am fascinated by "The Raven", perfect in its poetic mathematics, and rising to a fever pitch, as Kesha already aptly described it. From a psychological point of view, the raven in the poem was, besides being a mystical and foreboding being, also his disturbed subconscious. Because of his character and the mental state caused by the loss of a loved one, most likely alcohol and even perhaps the use of other substances, his envisionment is a materialization of his own mental condition, in which he carries on in increasing incredulousness his discussion within himself at the prospect of never ever seeing his loved one again, not in this life and not in the next, if such may even exist, though he obviously wishes to believe and expresses himself as if he does. But then, if there is a next life, why is it impossible for him to meet her again? This dilemma is the substance of the poem, materialized in the form of a bird that has often and since time immemorial been the symbol of mystery and death. Of course, that is hardly how he saw it consciously at that time and perhaps never could, as such psychological analysis is much newer than his time. I believe we all can imagine such a desperate discussion within ourselves in some form under such conditions and a work of art like this one is a wonderful outlet for exasperation.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

What is the significance of the shadow symbol?

BTW, Tis, Very nice little essay. Although it was unsolicited by the questioner, i enjoyed it. I'm hoping something of that quality could be presented regarding the shadow.

-- Anonymous, March 16, 2002

In the last line of the poem, "And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor shall be fifted - nevermore," does that mean the narrator is dying?

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2002

i think it the whole poem not just the line i theink it ment tat well hell if i know i did not even ready it but i am gingt to tonight cause i have to read it 4 homework but i do not think he was a on drugs or alchohal cause he was so pore he coude not bye his food so he went were he could get it free and they always served alchohalick beverages and when the ony ppl see him was when he was eating and that is what i think

-- Anonymous, March 25, 2002

ITS POSSIBLE . YOU KNOW I WAS READING THIS POEM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IT AND WAS DOING OK UNTILL THE DISTANT AIDENN APPEARED. I COULD NOT FING IT NOWHERE ,SOMEONE HAS GOT TO KNOW THE CORRECT ANSWER, IS IT HEAVEN, EDEN, OR PERHAPS SOME DISTANT PLACE OF LONG AGO THAT NOONE BUT POE KNEW . I DONT THINK SO. I AM ON A SEARCH FOR TRUTH. THERE MUST BE SOMEONE THAT KNEW HIM. DID HE HAVE CHILDREN, BROTHER, SISTER, ANY RELATIVES AFTER LENORE DIED? IF YOU COULD FINE ONE OF THEM ,MAYBE THE RIDDLE WOULD BE SOLVED.

-- Anonymous, August 19, 2002

Aidenn does mean heaven, or the afterlife. And i'm quite uncomfortable with the increasing amout of people posted here who cannot spell correctly. I am in serious doubt right now whether of not even half of the people how have answered this question have ever even read Poe's work without grabbing a dictionary by the first paragraph. You people need to start comprehending the words themselves in context, not out of a dictionary. Next time, try to figure out what words mean by looking at the words around them. Come on people, we all learned this in first grade.

-- Anonymous, November 22, 2002

One more thing while I'm here. I have read several more of the previous posts and have immpressed by few and saddened at the idiocy around me by many more. I would like to point out that, at the time that POe had written this piece, he wife Virginia was not yet dead, as everyone here seems to assume. I don't belive that Edgar himself was at the time of his writing this, an alcoholic. Some biographies and fact sheets on Poe's life told that he had given up his drinking addiction for his wife, though he did sometimes still occasionally drinked. I am bewildered by the amout of posts here stating that Poe was not of sound mind at this time either. And why not? His wife was still living, though suffering through tuberculosis; he was not drinking at the time; and in fact, he was regarded as a genius. He was not crazy, at least not yet.

-- Anonymous, November 22, 2002

You all think you know it all but u dont!!! Please u all need to get over urselves!!!

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2003

I believe that the Raven is based on human life. How self interest we all are, The Raven is a society full of inequalities that make people do crazy things.

-- Anonymous, March 18, 2003

Since the raven represents lost love heartache despair etc. etc. i would assume the shadow is a reflection of this and means alot of the same things...since it says shall be lifted never more...i think hes saying that the raven isn't going to go anywhere so he wont be getting over his heartache either

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2003