The central idea of Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven" is the speaker's overwhelming sense of grief and loss, which is compounded by the persistent presence of the eponymous bird. Here are four supporting details from the poem and how they support this central idea:
"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, / Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore" (lines 1-2). This detail establishes the setting and mood of the poem, which is dark, melancholic, and introspective. The fact that the speaker is reading "quaint and curious" books suggests that he is seeking solace and distraction from his grief, but ultimately finds none. This supports the central idea that the speaker is overwhelmed by his feelings of loss and is desperately trying to cope with them.
"But the Raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only / That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour" (lines 84-85). This detail describes the Raven's persistent repetition of the word "Nevermore," which becomes a haunting refrain throughout the poem. The fact that the Raven speaks with such certainty and finality underscores the speaker's feelings of despair and hopelessness. This supports the central idea that the speaker is consumed by his grief and sees no way out of it.
"And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting / On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door" (lines 103-104). This detail describes the Raven's unchanging presence throughout the poem, even as the speaker becomes more agitated and desperate. The fact that the Raven remains "still" and "never flitting" underscores the speaker's sense of being trapped and powerless. This supports the central idea that the speaker is overwhelmed by his grief and sees no way to escape it.
"Quoth the Raven, 'Nevermore'" (various lines). This detail is the most iconic and memorable aspect of the poem, and it serves to reinforce the central idea that the speaker is consumed by his grief and sees no way to overcome it. The repetition of this phrase throughout the poem becomes increasingly unsettling and oppressive, underscoring the speaker's sense of hopelessness and despair. This supports the central idea that the speaker is haunted by his grief and sees no way to move beyond it.
Overall, these supporting details serve to reinforce the central idea of "The Raven" by creating a mood of darkness and despair, emphasizing the unchanging presence of the Raven, and emphasizing the finality and hopelessness of the Raven's message. Through these details, Poe creates a haunting and unforgettable portrayal of grief and loss.