According to The Philosophy of Composition why did Poe choose nevermore as the refrain in Raven?

The "Philosophy of Composition" is a fictional essay written by Edgar Allan Poe himself, not an actual philosophical treatise. In it, he claims to have meticulously planned and constructed "The Raven" to achieve a specific effect, but this is presented as a literary game, not a literal account of his writing process.

According to Poe's fabricated account in the essay, he chose "Nevermore" as the refrain for the following reasons:

* Length: It's a monosyllabic word, maximizing impact and creating a sense of repetition.

* Sound: It's a somber and haunting sound, perfectly aligning with the poem's overall tone.

* Meaning: It reflects the poem's central themes of loss, despair, and the impossibility of escaping sorrow.

Poe also claims that he considered a variety of other words before settling on "Nevermore," but ultimately decided it was the most effective.

However, it's important to note that:

* The essay is likely a literary fiction, and Poe may have been exaggerating or even fabricating his process for artistic effect.

* It's unlikely that Poe actually planned out the entire poem with such meticulous detail as he claims.

* Even if he considered these factors, it's impossible to know for certain if they were the sole or even primary reasons for his choice.

While "The Philosophy of Composition" offers a captivating and thought-provoking account of Poe's process, it's crucial to approach it with a healthy dose of skepticism.