Refer to “The Raven: Study Guide” and answer the following:
- What is the effect of using the word “chamber” instead of “bedroom” to establish the setting?
- How is the mental state of the narrator described?
- Read the excerpt from the poem below. Identify the following literary devices:
- Underline an example of alliteration by underlining the first letters of the words
- Circle two examples of internal rhyme (circle both words that rhyme)
- Draw a box around an example of end rhyme
- Diagram the rhyme scheme
(The examples in the 1st two lines are done for you)
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, A
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-- B
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping--rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door--
Only this and nothing more."
- Whom do some scholars believe “Lenore” represents in the poem?
- IN YOUR OWN WORDS, briefly summarize the events of the poem below:
- Refer to “The Interactive Raven” and write down the meaning of the following words:
- Surcease –
- Entreating –
- Implore –
- Countenance –
- Dirges –
- Seraphim –
- Respite –
- Quaff –
- Find one more example in the poem of each:
- Alliteration -
- Internal rhyme -
- End rhyme –
Visit “Knowing Poe: It’ll Be the Death of Me” to complete the following worksheet.
- In the basement of the library, you will find a filing cabinet. The tabs are labeled as follows:
ð Poisoning
ð Consumption
ð In His Brain
ð Heart of Poe
ð Gas Lighting
ð New Theory – Cats
ð Crooked Elections
ð Alcoholism?
Read each file thoroughly, and record the evidence for and against each theory of what caused Poe’s death. The first example is done for you.
ð In His Brain: Poe’s doctor said he had brain fever, and modern doctors say a twisted looking face is evidence of brain lesions, but there was never an autopsy to prove it.
ð Poisoning
ð Consumption
ð Heart of Poe
ð Gas Lighting
ð New Theory – Cats
ð Crooked Elections
ð Alcoholism?
What cause of death do you find the most convincing?