Question

read the excerpt from \the raven\ by edgar allan poe, and answer the question.
excerpt:
\prophet!\ said i, \thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!
by that heaven that bends above us—by that god we both adore—
tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant aidenn,
it shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name lenore—\
what does the contrast in the words \bird or devil\ reveal about the narrators emotional state?
he is torn between rational doubt and consuming despair.
he is calmly accepting of the ravens strange behavior.
he is mocking the idea of fate and divine punishment.

Explanation:

The phrase "bird or devil" shows a contrast between a natural, ordinary creature (bird) and a supernatural, evil being (devil). This contrast reflects the narrator's internal conflict. On one hand, he may rationally think the raven is just a bird (rational doubt). On the other hand, his deep - seated sorrow (from losing Lenore) makes him consider the raven as a devil - like, ominous figure (consuming despair).

Answer:

He is torn between rational doubt and consuming despair.