Animals That Talk!

There are so many books and movies that incorporate animals that talk to create a story that is interesting and eventful. Just to name a few; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Princess and the Frog, Babe, Rescuers Down Under, Up...etc. As you can see, they are mostly for children's entertainment.

The dreary, creepy, and depressed poet Edgar Allen Poe, in his poem "The Raven", throws in an animal (big shock, a raven) to be used as a symbol to represent mourning. The character is either mourning about his upcoming death, or the past death of a very much loved Lenore. I can't exactly make up my mind which one it is. The later would be more romantic, and I would have a little bit more pity for the poem.

But seriously? Did he have to choose a speaking raven? In kids' stories, it is cute and funny to have animals that can talk, but in Poe's poem, it is just creepy, and supports the theory that he is crazy and is hearing voices.

I know, I know, he is a great poet who thinks outside of the box. His poem is completely famous, and an amazing example of symbolism. But still, it is absolutely and thoroughly depressing. Couldn't Poe right anything happy? How about a joyful, talking bunny that represents the bounce in life?