Talk:Balsam of Mecca
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[edit] Balm of Gilead / Balsam of Mecca
I'm having trouble finding out what the difference is - both link to Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" as a reference. Is one just an outdated name for the other? If they're that similar, should they be merged? Just trying to be clear. -Midnightdreary 21:04, 26 April 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Reference in the raven
i don't agree with the explanation given with regard to the reference in the Raven. The 15th stanza of the poem reads this
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil! - Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore, Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted- On this home by Horror haunted- tell me truly, I implore- Is there- is there balm in Gilead?- tell me- tell me, I implore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
there is a biblical reference here, the narrator asks the raven whether heis sent by Tempter (Satan) or Tempest (storm). Then there is a reference to an enchanted desert land, this can be a reference to biblical places. Then he is not referring to Balm of Gilead, but Balm in Gilead, so his reference can be figuratively to the messiah, or salvation, in general, instead of the balm literally for lamenting the loss of his love, Lenore.
suggestions?
Dennismayflower (talk) 11:04, 25 May 2008 (UTC)
