“The Pit and the Pendulum” and
“The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe
Conflict
Predict the meaning of the term conflict.
Conflict
Simply, a conflict is a problem or a battle of
opposing forces.
Example
In District 12, the citizens lacked adequate food.
The Peacekeepers routinely beat any person
displaying insubordination.
Conflict
An external conflict occurs between a character and an
outside force, such as another character or nature.
Example
Katniss Everdeen knocked an arrow, released the taut
bow string, and decimated an opponent.
An internal conflict occurs within a characters heart or
mind, such as emotions or desires.
Example
Katniss Everdeen struggled with Peeta's betrayal; clearly,
the bread boy intended to benefit the Career Tributes.
Conflict
External Conflict
A person versus person conflict occurs when one character
confronts another.
Example
Katniss Everdeen slays Rue's murderer.
A person versus environment conflict occurs when a
character struggles against natural forces.
Example
Katniss Everdeen flees from the raging forest fire.
A person versus society conflict occurs when a character
struggles against a larger group of people.
Example
Katniss Everdeen combats the Capitol, a government seeking
to dominate and cripple her.
Conflict
Internal Conflict
A person versus self conflict occurs when a character
possesses a problem or debate in his or her mind or heart.
Example
Katniss Everdeen anguishes over Peeta's alliance with the
Career tributes.
Katniss Everdeen ponders whether Gale or Peeta exude
more masculinity.
Conflict Quickwrite
Analyze the following overarching question.
Employ the below model in your response.
Why is conflict necessary within any life?
Brainstorm at least two reasons why conflict
arises within the average person's life.
Model
Clearly, conflict proves necessary within any life
because ________; additionally, conflict naturally
occurs as ________.
“The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe
Based on the poem's title, predict a conflict
that may occur in Edgar Allan Poe's text, “The
Raven.” Apply the following model while
formulating your prediction.
Example
After a preliminary examination, in the poem
“The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe, a
________conflict may transpire when _________.
“The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe
Create the following t-chart in your notes. As
we read the poem, record any examples of
conflict you witness. Cite line numbers for
each conflict furnished.
Type of Conflict
Conflict with Evidence
“The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe
Discussion Questions I
Analyze Poe's poem “The Raven.” In your response,
provide complete sentences, note the author and poem
title, restate the question, and cite evidence alongside
line numbers. Produce at least three separate responses
to the following question:
Discern an example of conflict occurring within the
poem. Why does the author supply this conflict?
Model
According the poem “The Raven,” by Edgar Allan Poe, the
author employs the conflict “________” in order to
__________.
“The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe Discussion
Questions II
For each of the following problems, respond in complete
sentences, restate the question, note the poem title and
author, and cite evidence alongside line numbers.
1. Record an instance of conflict occurring within the poem.
Why does the author employ this conflict?
2. Discern the poem's setting. Why does this setting prove
significant?
3. Determine a metaphor utilized within the text. Why does
the author compose this metaphor?
4. List an example of hyperbole residing in the poem. Why
does Poe provide this hyperbole?
5. Characterize the Raven.
6. Characterize the narrator.
7. Infer an occurrence of personification in the poem. Why
does the author apply this personification?
“The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe Discussion
Questions II
For each of the following problems, respond in complete
sentences, restate the question, note the poem title and
author, and cite evidence alongside line numbers.
8. Determine the poem's mood. Why is this mood created?
9. Analyze the poem's theme. Why does the author illustrate
this theme?
10. List an instance of imagery in the poem. Why does Poe
craft this imagery?
“The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe Discussion
Questions III
For each of the following problems, respond in complete
sentences, restate the question, note the poem title and
author, and cite evidence alongside line numbers.
1. When the poem opens, why is the narrator examining
books?
2. Why does the narrator believe the Raven speaks the term,
“Nevermore”?
3. Why does the narrator refer to the Raven as a “thing of
evil” (85)?
4. Why does the narrator desire to know if his soul shall
“clasp a rare and radiant maiden” (94)?
5. Beginning with line 91, why does the narrator become
increasingly distraught?
“The Pit and the Pendulum” by
Edgar Allan Poe
Based on the poem's title, predict a conflict
that may occur in Edgar Allan Poe's short
story, “The Pit and the Pendulum.” Apply the
following model while formulating your
prediction.
Example
After a preliminary examination, in the short
story “The Pit and the Pendulum” by Edgar Allan
Poe, a ________conflict may transpire when
_________.
“The Pit and the Pendulum” by
Edgar Allan Poe
Create the following t-chart in your notes. As
we read the short story, record any examples
of conflict you witness. Cite paragraph
numbers for each conflict.
Type of Conflict
Conflict with Evidence
“The Pit and the Pendulum” by Edgar
Allan Poe Discussion Questions I
Analyze Poe's story “The Pit and the Pendulum.” In your
response, provide complete sentences, note the author
and poem title, restate the question, and cite evidence
alongside line numbers. Produce at least three separate
responses to the following question:
Discern an example of conflict occurring within the
story. Why does the author supply this conflict?
Model
According the story “The Pit and the Pendulum,” by Edgar
Allan Poe, the author employs the conflict “________” in
order to __________.
“The Pit and the Pendulum” by Edgar Allan
Poe Discussion Questions II
For each of the following problems, respond in complete
sentences, restate the question, note the story title and
author, and cite evidence alongside line numbers.
1. Infer a conflict within the text. Why does the author employ
this conflict?
2. Record the story's setting. Why does the author supply this
setting?
3. Characterize the main character. Why does this character
trait remain evident?
4. Note an instance of suspense within the narrative. Why
does the author employ this suspense?
5. Discern an occurrence of foreshadowing within the story.
Why does the author furnish this foreshadowing?
“The Pit and the Pendulum” by Edgar Allan
Poe Discussion Questions III
For each of the following problems, respond in complete
sentences, restate the question, note the story title and
author, and cite evidence alongside line numbers.
1. Infer the story's theme. Why does Poe fabricate this
theme?
2. Discern the text's mood. Why is this mood created?
3. Note an instance of imagery within the text. Why does the
author employ this imagery?
4. Record a metaphor found within the text. Why does Poe
furnish this metaphor?
5. Deduce a conflict occurring within the story. Why does this
conflict prove significant?
6. Designate a simile residing in the story. Why does Poe pen
this simile?
7. List an instance of personification found within the story.
Why the author employ this personification?
“The Pit and the Pendulum” by Edgar Allan
Poe Discussion Questions III
For each of the following problems, respond in complete
sentences, restate the question, note the story title and
author, and cite evidence alongside line numbers.
8. Determine an example of foreshadowing utilized within the
story. Why does the author apply this foreshadowing?
9. Infer a hyperbole employ within the text. Why does Poe
posit this hyperbole?
10. Characterize the narrator. Why does Poe imbue the
narrator with this character trait?
“The Pit and the Pendulum” by Edgar Allan
Poe Discussion Questions IV
For each of the following problems, respond in complete
sentences, restate the question, note the story title and
author, and cite evidence alongside line numbers.
1. Explicate the stages of conscious return provided by the
narrator in paragraph two.
2. Instantaneously, why does the narrator appear troubled
when the story opens?
3. Why does the narrator desire to lapse into “insensibility” in
paragraph three?
4. Within paragraph eight, why does the narrator possess a
“careful distrust” of the Inquisition and his confinement?
5. In paragraph eight, analyze the narrator's strategy for
determining the dimensions of his prison. Why does he
employ this strategy?
6. Why does the narrator refuse to enter the pit during
paragraph thirteen?
“The Pit and the Pendulum” by Edgar Allan
Poe Discussion Questions IV
For each of the following problems, respond in complete
sentences, restate the question, note the story title and
author, and cite evidence alongside line numbers.
7. Curiously, throughout paragraph eighteen, why does the
narrator observe the pendulum with wonder?
8. Regarding paragraph twenty-three, why does the narrator
note his captors as “demons”?
9. At the end of paragraph twenty-three, why does the
narrator declare himself an “idiot”?
10. When the narrator discards his fetters in paragraph thirtyfour, why does the pendulum automatically ascend?
11. While imprisoned in paragraph thirty-seven, why does the
narrator prepare to embrace the wall as a “garment of
peace”?
Conflict Writing Activity
Step One: Elect one of the following settings and record
it in your composition book.
dank dungeon
putrid pond
phantasmal prison
murky mansion
grimy graveyard
bewitched basketball court
ghostly gym
Conflict Writing Activity
Step Two: Compose a vivid sentence that establishes
your setting and supplies a narrator.
Example
Forlorn, I sprawled across a dank dungeon floor, which
consisted of moldy stones.
Conflict Writing Activity
Step Three: Introduce a conflict within your narrative.
Your conflict may be either internal or external. Notably,
provide vivid details as your craft the conflict.
Example
Forlorn, I sprawled across a dank dungeon floor, which
consisted of moldy stones. Suddenly, glimmering water began
trickling into the cell, droplets splattering like glinty diamonds
across the floor. Fear engulfed my soul; my captors intended
to drown me within this grimy chamber.
Conflict Writing Activity
Step Four: Resolve your conflict in a manner best
respecting your narrative. Again, incorporate vivid details
into your composition.
Example
Forlorn, I sprawled across a dank dungeon floor, which
consisted of moldy stones. Suddenly, glimmering water began
trickling into the cell, droplets splattering like glinty diamonds
across the floor. Fear engulfed my soul; my captors intended
to drown me within this grimy chamber.
As my lips consumed the last ounce of stale, sour air, as
chocolate water bubbled within my ears, abruptly, the clunk of
mechanization resounded, and liters of deadly moldy liquid
drained from the cage. Finally, I could inhale deeply, my fears
showered from my muddled mind.
“The Pit and the Pendulum” Conflict Found
Poem
Analyze Poe's short story “The Pit and the Pendulum.”
Record at least eight phrases illustrating a conflict within
the text, noting each phrase's paragraph number.
Compile this evidence into a found poem. Follow the
model below.
Model
sick unto death (1)
my vision fell (1)
the very brink of a circular pit (11)
the doom (12)
securely bound (17)
ravenous eyes (19)
plunge into this pit (21)
the region of the heart (24)
“The Pit and the Pendulum” Bracket Activity
Upon analysis of the bracket below, determine which of the
following conflicts proved more suspenseful. Employ the TIDE
method in your response.
The narrator lies strapped
to the pendulum.
versus
The narrator nearly
tumbles into the pit.
TIDE Model
Regarding Edgar Allan Poe's short story “The Pit and the
Pendulum,” the conflict that occurs when ______ proves more
suspenseful than when ______. For instance, ______. Moreover,
______. Based on this evidence, the ________ conflict ______.
Conclusively, throughout “The Pit and the Pendulum” by Edgar Allan
Poe, ______.
“The Pit and the Pendulum” Quote Analysis
Andre Gide asserts, “There are very few monsters who
warrant the fear we have of them.” Employing the TIDE
method, apply this quote to the story “The Pit and the
Pendulum.” In contrast to this quote, why are the narrator's
fears warranted?
Example
Upon analysis of Andre Gide's quote, “There are very few
monsters who warrant the fear we have of them,” Gide posits
________. However, within “The Pit and the Pendulum” by
Edgar Allan Poe, the narrator's fear proves warranted. For
example, within “The Pit and the Pendulum,”________.
Therefore, the author clearly validates the narrator's fear
because ________. Conclusively, upon analysis of Gide's
quote, the narrator within “The Pit and the Pendulum” certainly
________.