In Edgar Allan Poe’s poem ‘The Raven,’ the character Lenore is depicted as having died prior to the events of the narrative. The poem does not provide specific details about the cause of her death, leaving it somewhat ambiguous. The speaker mourns her loss, expressing profound grief and longing for her return.
Lenore’s death serves as a catalyst for the speaker’s descent into despair and madness, as he is haunted by memories of her. The mention of her in the poem symbolizes lost love and the inescapable nature of grief. Poe often explores themes of death and mourning, and Lenore’s character is exemplary of these themes, representing not just a physical loss but also the emotional turmoil that accompanies it.