ting an untimely death recurs frequently in Poe's work. In "The Raven" the narrator is seen trying to find relief – "surcease of sorrow" - from his grief at the death of his love, Lenore. This theme was particularly close to Poe, being a reflection of his life experience. Poe's life was shaped by the early death of several women close to him – his mother, Elizabeth died (aged 24) when he was just 3 and his adoptive mother, Frances Allan, when he was twenty, both of tuberculosis. At the time Poe was working on "The Raven," his young wife Virginia was also very ill with the disease.
             Related to this theme is the idea of destiny and the inevitability of fate. In Poe's own life of tragedy he seemed at times destined for a sorrow from which there was little escape – periods of good fortune were often eclipsed by personal tragedy. In "The Raven" the narrator is unable to change his destiny. Despite his increasing awareness that the Raven will always answer "nevermore" he continues to ask questions about his future with increasing desperation. From mundane questions about the bird's name he progresses eventually to questions about his chances of future happiness. The raven's "nevermore" fills him with despair, leaving him unable to lift his soul "from out that shadow."
             One aspect of Poe's life that may have been very influential in "The Fall of the House of Usher" was his drinking habits. In addition to his drinking practices, Poe's use of opium has also been an issue of suspicion. Much of this suspicion is directly connected to "The Fall of the House of Usher" when Poe likens Roderick's voice to that o
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