Classwork

11 November 2020
Lesson Objective:
To learn and consolidate understanding of
some key poetic techniques

Skills:
Reading; listening; enunciating; co-
operating with a partner.
 The Raven
By

Edgar Alan Poe

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered,
weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of

forgotten lore –

nothing more...
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 borrow

Nameless
From my books surcease of sorrow –
sorrow for the lost Lenore –
evermore
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels
name Lenore –

Nameless here for evermore.

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,
Darkness there and nothing
And so faintly you camemore...
tapping, tapping at my
chamber door,

That I scarce was sure I heard you" – here I opened wide

the door;
–
 Edgar Alan Poe uses several different techniques
to create the effect he wants in The Raven.
Working with a partner, write one or two
sentences to describe the mood and atmosphere
of the poem.

Now look at the first five verses and use

different colours to highlight all the techniques
you can find.

Next, make a key at the bottom of the sheet

and note down what these methods are.

Look out for these:

Rhyme; alliteration; repetition; rhythm; scene-setting words
In your books, copy down one example of:
• alliteration
• rhyme
• repetition

Try to explain how it adds to the overall

effect of the poem.

What picture does it give you in your mind?

Why?
 Well, what do you think?
Has Edgar Alan Poe successfully created a
scary atmosphere?
Do you want to learn more?
What do you think happens next?
The raven seems to cast a spell over
the man.
As the man thinks about his lost love,
the raven croaks ‘Nevermore’.
He tries to chase the bird away, back
to where it came from. It just says,
‘Nevermore’.
Finally the man realises that he is
stuck with the bird forever. It will go
‘nevermore’.
 Working with your partner, write a
plan to explain what you think happens
next.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WRITE IN
VERSE!