Here's how it unfolds:
* Initial shock: The speaker, already in a state of deep melancholy, is startled by the sudden, unexpected sound of the raven's voice. The speaker exclaims "What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore/ Meant in croaking 'Nevermore.'"
* Focus on the word: The speaker fixates on the word "Nevermore," finding it both unexpected and eerie. This word immediately begins to unsettle him, hinting at the speaker's growing anxiety.
* Intrigued curiosity: The speaker, despite his apprehension, is drawn to the raven and its strange utterance. He questions the bird, hoping for a deeper understanding of its meaning.
* Premonition of doom: The speaker senses a sinister undercurrent to the raven's word. This foreshadows the darkness that will engulf him as the poem progresses.
The raven's first spoken word is a pivotal moment in the poem. It marks the beginning of the speaker's descent into madness, fueled by the eerie prophecy of "Nevermore." The speaker's initial surprise gives way to a growing fascination and ultimately, a terrifying realization of the raven's ominous presence.