ome knowledge of the Jewish or Christian faith knows worshiping a graven image is a sin that most likely “force” God to administer some form of punishment on the transgressor. Poe’s question about balm combined with the word “Peccavimus,” found in “Lenore”—which means we have sinned in Latin, suggests the possibility of him believing that his wife’s sickness is a punishment from God for their sins. But it will be wrong to say “their sin” since he used, in “Lenore,” the word “evil eye” and “slanderous” just before “tongue,” as if to say blaming Virginia for her sickness would be wrong or false. Although slanderous was placed just before tongue to put emphasis on it, “evil eye” stands out more. Poe used the same expression in “The Tell-Tale Heart,” in which the narrator kills the old man believing that the old man had an evil eye. As Robinson explains, “the ‘Evil Eye’ represents that is so aroused the madman we do not know, but since he sees himself in his companion the result is self-knowledge. Vision becomes insight, the ‘Evil Eye’ and evil ‘I,’ and the murdered man a victim sacrificed to a self-constituted deity” (47). If the same interpretation of the evil eye is applied to “Lenore,” it would make Poe the evil one or the sinner who is responsible for Virginia’s chastisement. In short, he blamed himself for her sickness, which made him to be even more depressed.Near the end of the poem, the narrator becomes eager to end the drama. The raven had answered none of the questions he asked. In real life, Poe was not able to find a solution to his problem. The raven just sites on the door, starring at the narrator, as if he is planing some evil. Poe’s wife lingers day after day, without getting better or worst and Poe wonder...
