The Raven Essay Example

The Raven Paper lattice a structure of crisscrossed strips commonly wood or metal that forms a pattern of openings beguile to influence by deceit; to trick placid calm; peaceful; undisturbed respite a period of rest or relief, as from work or sorrow balm something that heals or soothes, as an ointment he is trying to distract himself from his sorrow Why is the speaker reading at the beginning of the poem? He moves from grief to curiosity to fear and fore boding How would you describe his emotional state in the first six stanzas? He is startled and yet amused What is the speakers first reaction to the Ravens entrance? He is relieved to be distracted from his melancholy mood Why does he react to the Raven that way? He thinks that he came from the underworld Where does the speaker think the raven came from at first? The speakers soul will never be lifted from the shadow What will never be lifted from the Ravens shadow? The future will probably be one of despair What does the future probably hold for the speaker? The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginnings of words What is Alliteration? to look out for the speaker What is the Ravens main purpose? it unifies the poem and adds to the mystery of the Ravens arrival and ability to speak What is the effect of the repetition of the ravens single word, nevermore? the word nevermore is appropriate Is the word appropriate in the context of the poem, or would some other word have been as effective? The speaker wants his lost lenore What does the speaker want? Poes purpose was to write a poem that would create a mood of melancholy and portray a speaker haunted by memories of his lost love How would you describe Poes purpose in writing this poem? The poems enduring popularity is evidence that Poe achieved his purpose Did Poe achieve his purpose with this poem? The speaker, who is a man distraught over the loss of lenore, someone he loved, and the raven, a large bird that taps on the speakers window and repeats only 1 word. Who were the characters in this poem? the speaker feels curiosity about the Raven , yet when the birds single response continues to make sense in the context of his thoughts and outbursts of speech, he begins to look upon it as a prophet sent by God or the devil. The raven destroys any hope the speaker has about reuniting with lenore after death What is the plot? the speakers chamber at midnight on a cold dreary night in December What ia the setting? Details such as darkness, midnight dreary, fantastic terrors, and omnious bird, as well as details about the speakers distress, create a haunting mysterious mood that reflects Romanticisms dark side Which details contribute to the mood of this poem, and how do they illustrate the dark side of Romanticism? Death, loss, suffering, sorrow, evil, memory of death and loss; our worst nightmares What does the Raven Symbolize or represent in this poem? Like death, loss, and suffering, the raven is part of the speakers life and will remain so. The raven casts a shadow on the speakers life and seems to threaten the speaker. He comes unexpectedly and acts as it pleases without any concern for the effect it has on others. What theme or main idea do you think this symbolizes?