The Raven By: Danielle Johnson

The RavenBy: Danielle Johnson Click the Edgar the Raven to start

The Raven Edgar the Raven Where would you like to start? Literary Devices About the poem

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The RavenBy: Edgar Allen Poe Stanza’s 1-2 Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,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.'Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrowFrom my books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore -For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore -Nameless here for evermore. Stanza’s 3-4 And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtainThrilled me - filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating`'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door -Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; -This it is, and nothing more,'Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,`Sir,' said I, `or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,That I scarce was sure I heard you' - here I opened wide the door; -Darkness there, and nothing more.

Stanza’s 7-8 Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore.Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door -Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door -Perched, and sat, and nothing more.Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,`Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,' I said, `art sure no craven.Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the nightly shore -Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!'Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.' Stanza’s 5-6 Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream beforeBut the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, `Lenore!'This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, `Lenore!'Merely this and nothing more.Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.`Surely,' said I, `surely that is something at my window lattice;Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore -Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; -'Tis the wind and nothing more!'

Stanza’s 11-12 Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,`Doubtless,' said I, `what it utters is its only stock and store,Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful disasterFollowed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore -Till the dirges of his hope that melancholy burden boreOf "Never-nevermore."'But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linkingFancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore -What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yoreMeant in croaking `Nevermore.' Stanza’s 9-10 Much I marveled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,Though its answer little meaning - little relevancy bore;For we cannot help agreeing that no living human beingEver yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door -Bird or beast above the sculptured bust above his chamber door,With such name as `Nevermore.'But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only,That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.Nothing further then he uttered - not a feather then he fluttered -Till I scarcely more than muttered `Other friends have flown before -On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.'Then the bird said, `Nevermore.'

Stanza’s 15-16 `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 named Lenore -Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels named Lenore?'Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.' Stanza’s 13-14 This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressingTo the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease recliningOn the cushion's velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o'er,But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er,She shall press, ah, nevermore!Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censerSwung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.`Wretch,' I cried, `thy God hath lent thee - by these angels he has sent theeRespite - respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore!Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore!'Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'

Stanza’s 17-18 `Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!' I shrieked upstarting -`Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!Leave my loneliness unbroken! - quit the bust above my door!Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!'Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sittingOn the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floorShall be lifted - nevermore! Click on Edgar to return to About the poem Menu

The Raven Quiz Question 1: What is happening in the first 5 stanzas of the poem? • A.He’s crazy and is hearing things and see’s Lenore at the door • B. While thinking of his lost love, Lenore, there’s a tapping at the door • C.He’s very tired and he is dreaming Click on Edgar to go Back to the menu Need to see the poem again? Click the book to go back

INCORRECT, try again… Click on Edgar to go back to question 1

CORRECT!!! • Here’s why: This is what the first 5 stanzas are talking about: In the bleak December the speaker tiredly looking through some literature began to hear tapping on the chamber door, thinking of departed and radiant maiden named Lenore. Suddenly filled with terror the speaker never felt before, the speaker calmed down and gained the courage to see who was tapping on the chamber door, only to see darkness this and nothing more. Standing there wondering who was tapping on the chamber door, peering into the darkness he whispered the word “Lenore” merely this, and nothing more. Click on Edgar For question 2

The Raven Quiz Question 2: In stanza 8 what does Poe mean by “Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!'Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.‘” • A. Seeing the raven the speaker wondered if this bird was from the underworld, “Plutonian shore”. • B. The speaker is crazy and is imagining things. • C. Plutonian shore is the name of the speakers house. Click on Edgar to go Back to the menu Need to see the poem again? Click the book to go back

CORRECT!!! • Here’s why: In Stanza’s 6-8 Poe explains that: The speaker began to hear tapping louder than before this time not on the chamber door but on the window. The speaker opened the shutter and in flew a raven that looked poorly in shape but had a stern decorum in expressing. Seeing the raven the speaker wondered if this bird was from the underworld, “Plutonian shore”. Click on Edgar For question 3

The Raven Quiz • Question 3: Why did the speaker Sit in front and examine the bird, in Stanza’s 9-12? • A. The speaker was curious and intrigued by the bird and wondered if it had a former master and why the bird spoke the words “Never more”. • B. The speaker examined the bird because it was a beautiful and magnificent bird • C. The speaker recognized the bird and understood why the bird spoke “Never more”. Click on Edgar to go Back to the menu Need to see the poem again? Click the book to go back

CORRECT!!! • Here’s why: In stanza’s 9-12 Poe writes that: The speaker had a feeling he was the first to see this bird and figured it would leave in the morning. However, the condition of the bird did intrigue the speaker, wondering if the bird’s former master toured it. Still intrigued, the speaker sat in front of the bird to examine and understand why the bird croaked “Never more”. Click on Edgar For question 4

The Raven Quiz • Question 4: Why does the Speaker cry out that the bird is a “thing of evil”, in stanza’s 13-16? • A. The raven is a thing of evil and has come to get the speaker. • B. The speaker got confused and wondered if the bird was “thing of evil” sent by the Plutonian shores to cast horror on his home. • C. The bird is Lenore and she is haunting the speaker. Click on Edgar to go Back to the menu Need to see the poem again? Click the book to go back

CORRECT!!! • Here’s why: In stanza’s 13-16 Poe writes that: Now engaged in the raven the air became denser and a perfume aroma came from no where and the speaker thought the raven could be Lenore. This couldn’t be Lenore the speaker thought, confused the speaker wondered is the raven bird or devil, sent by nature or cast from the Plutonian shore to spread horror in the speaker’s home, wanting to know where is the lovely maiden Lenore but never receiving an answer from the raven only to hear “Never more”. Click on Edgar For question 5

The Raven Quiz • Question 5: What happens in at the end of the poem to the speaker, in Stanza’s 17-18? • A. The raven flies out the window calling “Never more”, never to be seen again. • B. The speaker tries to go after the raven as it flies out the window. • C. The speaker’s soul from a shadow, lifts up and flies out the window. Click on Edgar to go Back to the menu Need to see the poem again? Click the book to go back

CORRECT!!! • Here’s why: In stanza’s 17-18 Poe writes that: The speaker now wishing the raven go back to where ever it came from, the bird never moved and developed a heinous look in its eyes even demoniac and the speaker soul from out the shadow lifted off the floor. “And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor shall be lifted- nevermore” There came be many things interpreted from this ending depending on the person but my understanding is the speaker died metaphorically and went insane in a sense never feeling emotion again. Click on Edgar!!!!

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The Raven Analysis: “My fist impression of ‘The Raven’ is that it was just a good poem. It uses several literary elements to amplify the mood of the poem. As I read again I found a deeper meaning to the poem. The poem was not just about a man mourning over his recently decease lover, ‘Lenore’. I instead compared the situations between the main character in ‘The Raven’ and Poe's own life events or tragedies. This poem is actually a reflection of Poe own loss, his wife. Everything he wrote about Lenore is exactly what he felt and thought about his own wife.” -by Chen To continue learning more about the poem click on Edgar the Raven

Learning about the PoemThe Raven • Stanza’s 1-5 In stanza’s 1-5 Poe explains that: In the bleak December, while the speaker is tiredly looking through some literature he begins to hear tapping on the chamber door, while thinking of the departed and radiant maiden named Lenore. Suddenly filled with a terror the speaker never felt before, the speaker calms down and gained the courage to see who was tapping on the chamber door, only to see darkness this and nothing more. Standing there wondering who was tapping on the chamber door, peering into the darkness he whispered the word “Lenore” merely this, and nothing more. Click on Edgar to see next stanza analysis Click on the book to Go back to the About the Poem Menu

Learning about the PoemThe Raven • Stanza’s 6-8 In stanza’s 6-8 Poe explains that: • The speaker begins to hear tapping louder than before but this time not on the chamber door but on the window. The speaker opened the shutter and in flew a raven that looked poorly in shape but had a expression that was stern. Seeing the raven the speaker wondered if this bird was from the underworld, “Plutonian shore”. Click on Edgar to see next stanza analysis Click on the book to Go back to the About the Poem Menu

Learning about the PoemThe Raven • Stanza’s 9-12 In stanza’s 9-12 Poe explains that: • The speaker had a feeling he was the first to see this bird and figured it would leave in the morning. However, the condition of the bird did intrigue the speaker, wondering if the bird’s former master toured it. Still intrigued, the speaker sat in front of the bird to examine and understand why the bird croaked “Never more”. Click on Edgar to see next stanza analysis Click on the book to Go back to the About the Poem Menu

Learning about the PoemThe Raven • Stanza’s 13-16 In stanza’s 13-16 Poe explains that: The speaker now becomes engaged in the raven while s the air becomes denser and a perfume aroma comes from no where . The speaker thought the raven could be Lenore. This couldn’t be Lenore the speaker thought, confused the speaker wondered is the raven bird or devil, sent by nature or cast from the Plutonian shore to spread horror in the speaker’s home, wanting to know where is the lovely maiden Lenore but never receiving an answer from the raven only to hear “Never more”. Click on Edgar to see next stanza analysis Click on the book to Go back to the About the Poem Menu

Learning about the PoemThe Raven • Stanza’s 17-18 In stanza’s 17-18 Poe explains that: • The speaker is now wishing the raven go back to where ever it came from. The bird never moves and develops a heinous look in its eyes even demoniac and the speakers soul soars from out of the shadow and lifts off the floor. • “And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor shall be lifted- nevermore” • There came be many things interpreted from this ending depending on the person but my understanding is the speaker died metaphorically and went insane in a sense, never feeling emotion again. Click on Edgar to go Back to the beginning Of the analysis of stanza’s Click on the book to Go back to the About the Poem Menu

Literary Devices Menu Click on Edgar the Raven to Return to Main Menu Take Literary Devices Quiz Learn about Literary Devices

Learning about Literary Devicesin the poem The Raven What would you like to learn about??? Click on the Ravens Edgar, Allen, Poe or Lenore to take you to your chosen literary device. L E N O R E E D G A R P O E A L L E N Internal Rhyme Alliteration Vocabulary Words Click o the arrow to return to Literary devices menu Assonance

The RavenVocabulary Words • Stanza’s 1-5 Pondered: mulled over, contemplated Lore: traditional knowledge Quaint: odd, singular, old-fashioned Entreating: seeking Implore: ask for If you click on the Vocab word provided you can see it in my poem E D G A R Click on Edgar to see more vocab words

The RavenVocabulary Words • Stanza’s 6-8 Lattice: framing, windowpanes Obeisance: bowing as a sign of reverence Mein: manner of attitude Ebony: dark colored Fancy: imagination Decorum: formality Countenance: face Craven: coward Ghastly: horrible Plutonian: pertaining to the classical Underworld If you click on the Vocab word provided you can see it in my poem E D G A R Click on Edgar to see more vocab words

The RavenVocabulary Words • Stanza’s 9-12 Fowl: bird Discourse: conversation Relevancy: significance Placid: calm Aptly: competently Dirges: funeral songs Melancholy: sad, gloomy If you click on the Vocab word provided you can see it in my poem E D G A R Click on Edgar to see more vocab words

The RavenVocabulary Words If you click on the Vocab word provided you can see it in my poem • Stanza’s 13-16 Diving: speculating, conjecturing Gloating: exulting, celebrating Censer: a container in which incense is burned Seraphim: angels Tufted: decorated with feathery threads Wretch: scoundrel, miscreant Respite: repose and rest Nepenthe: a drink which makes one forget sorrow Quaff: drink Tempest: storm Is there balm in Galiead?: a biblical allusion, something like: “Is there anything to ease my sadness?” Aidenn: the Garden of Eden Radiant: bright E D G A R Click on Edgar to see more vocab words

The RavenVocabulary Words • Stanza’s 17-18 Fiend: demon, villain Tempest: storm Plume: feather tuft Pallid: pale If you click on the Vocab word provided you can see it in my poem E D G A R Click on Edgar to review more literary Devices

A L L E N The RavenAssonance • Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds For example: In stanza 3:“And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtainThrilled me” In Stanza 3: “Thrilled me - filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before” In Stanza 10: “On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.'Then the bird said, `Nevermore.” Click on Allen to review more literary devices Click on the underlined words to see them in my poem

The RavenAlliteration POE • Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds For example: • In stanza 1: “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary” “While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping” • In stanza 2: “From my bookssurcease ofsorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore” • In stanza 3: “And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain” • In stanza 5: “Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before” • In stanza 7:“Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirtandflutter” • In stanza 7: “Perchedupon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door –Perched” • In stanza 8: “Though thy crest be shorn and shaven” • In stanza 9: “Birdorbeastabove the sculptured bust” • In stanza 10: “friends have flown before” • In stanza 12: “What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt” Click on Allen to review more literary devices Click on the underlined words to see them in my poem

The RavenInternal Rhyme POE • Internal Rhyme is rhyme with in the line For example: • In stanza 1: “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary” • In stanza 2: “Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrow” • In stanza 3: “So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating” • In stanza 4: “Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer” • In stanza 4:“But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping” • In stanza 5: “Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing” • In stanza 5: “But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token” • In stanza 6: “Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning” • In stanza 7: “Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter” • In stanza 8: “Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling” • In stanza 9: “Much I marveled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly” • In stanza 10: “Nothing further then he uttered - not a feather then he fluttered” Click on Lenore to review more literary devices Click on the underlined words to see them in my poem

The RavenLiterary Devices Quiz • Question 1: What is lattice? a. framing, windowpanes b. dark colored c. smoldering fragment of wood Click on Edgar to go Back to the menu

CORRECT!!! • Here’s why: In stanza 6 Poe writes: “Surely,' said I, `surely that is something at my window lattice”. In this sentence lattice means: framing or windowpanes. Click on Edgar For question 2 Click on the book to return to the literary devices menu

The RavenLiterary Devices Quiz • Question 2: What is Aidenn? a. a drink which makes one forget sorrow b. angels c. the Garden of Eden Click on Edgar to go Back to the menu

CORRECT!!! • Here’s why: In stanza 16 Poe writes: “By that Heaven that bends above us - by that God we both adore -Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn”. In this sentence Aidenn means: the Garden of Eden. Click on Edgar For question 3 Click on the book to return to the literary devices menu

The RavenLiterary Devices Quiz • Question 3: What is Assonance? a. Repeated consonant sounds b. Repeated vowel sounds c. Rhyming with in the line Click on Allen to go Back to the menu

INCORRECT, try again… Click on Allen to go back to question 3

CORRECT!!! • Here’s why: A. is correct because assonance is the repeated vowel sounds in a sentence. Click on Allen For question 4 Click on the book to return to the literary devices menu

The RavenLiterary Devices Quiz • Question 4: Which phrase shows assonance? a. “And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain Thrilled me” b. “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary” c. “Nothing further then he uttered - not a feather then he fluttered” Click on Allen to go Back to the menu

The Raven By: Danielle Johnson