Refer to “The Raven: Study Guide” and answer the following:
1. What is the effect of using the word “chamber” instead of “bedroom” to establish the setting?
2. How is the mental state of the narrator described?
3. Read the excerpt from the poem below. Identify the following literary devices:
a. Underline an example of alliteration by underlining the first letters of the words
b. Circle two examples of internal rhyme (circle both words that rhyme)
c. Draw a box around an example of end rhyme
d. 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."
4. Whom do some scholars believe “Lenore” represents in the poem?
5. IN YOUR OWN WORDS, briefly summarize the events of the poem below:
6. Refer to “The Interactive Raven” and write down the meaning of the following words:
a.
Surcease –
e. Dirges –
b.
Entreating –
f. Seraphim –
c.
Implore –
g. Respite –
d.
Countenance –
h. Quaff –
7. Find one more example in the poem of each:
a. Alliteration b. Internal rhyme c. End rhyme –
Visit “Knowing Poe: It’ll Be the Death of Me” to complete the following worksheet.
1. In the basement of the library, you will find a filing cabinet. The tabs are labeled as follows:
 Poisoning
 Gas Lighting
 Consumption
 New Theory – Cats
 In His Brain
 Crooked Elections
 Heart of Poe
 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.
 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.
 Poisoning
 Consumption
 Heart of Poe
 Gas Lighting
 New Theory – Cats
 Crooked Elections
 Alcoholism?
What cause of death do you find the most convincing?