Question

In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven,” what does the speaker see when he responds to the raven’s tapping by opening the door?

Answer 1

He sees nothing at his door. "Darkness there and nothing more"
When he opens his window he sees the raven as it flies into his bedroom.

Answer 2

When he answers the door, the speaker sees nothing. He does not know the raven is the one tapping at the chamber door. In fact, he believes it is a visitor. However, when he opens the door, he sees "darkness there and nothing more." The stanza states:

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,

“Sir,” said I, “or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;

But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,

And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,

That I scarce was sure I heard you”—here I opened wide the door;—

Darkness there and nothing more.