The term “plume” in Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Raven” refers to the bird’s feathers, specifically the elaborate and often decorative ones. In the poem, the raven is depicted as a creature of mystery and darkness, and its black feathers symbolize mourning and loss.
The plume is not just a physical attribute; it also carries deeper connotations. The raven, with its striking plume, represents the haunting memories of the narrator’s lost love, Lenore. As the raven perches itself on the bust of Pallas Athena, the goddess of wisdom, its plume becomes a symbol of the merging of wisdom and sorrow. The rich imagery of the plume enhances the gothic atmosphere of the poem, suggesting themes of despair and the weight of remembrance.
Thus, in the context of “The Raven,” the plume serves both as a literal description of the bird and as a powerful metaphor for the themes of grief and longing that permeate the poem.