Read these stanzas from "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe. "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." "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— Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore." Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore." How does the raven saying "Nevermore" in this excerpt propel the narrative action of the story? Angered by the bird's answer, the speaker curses the bird. It confirms the speaker will never see Lenore again, pushing him closer to insanity. Hopeful, the speaker calls out to Lenore, knowing she is there. It lightens the initial mood as the speaker converses with a talking bird.