“The Raven”

1. “The Raven” Analysis

2. Alliteration Examples • Line 1 – “weak and weary” • Line 10- “surcease of sorrow” • Line 26 – “doubting, dreaming dreams” • Line 37 – “flirt and flutter” • Line 45 – “shorn and shaven”

3. Onomatopoeia • Line 3 – “tapping” • Line 4 – “rapping” • Line 37– “flung” • Line 57 – “flutter” • Line 72 – “croaking”

4. Internal Rhyme • Line 3 – “rapping…tapping” • Line 9 – “morrow…borrow” • Line 15 – “beating…repeating” • Line 19 – “stronger…longer” • Line 37 – “shutter…flutter”

5. In what ways does Poe’s use of sound devices contribute to the creation of a single effect? • Poe’s use of alliteration, internal rhyme, repetition, and onomatopoeia gives a musical quality to his work. Poe’s use of these devices creates a hypnotic effect that draws the readers into the speaker’s world. • Poe believed that every word in a poem was important and should create a “single effect.”

6. Allusions • Line 48 -- “Night’s Plutonian shore” • Line 83 – “Nepenthe” • Line 41 – “Pallas” • Line 89 – “Balm in Gilead” • Line 93 – “distant Aidenn”

7. Symbolism What do you think the raven symbolizes?