“The Raven”

“The Raven”

Analysis

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”

Onomatopoeia

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

Internal Rhyme

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

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.”

Allusions

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

Symbolism

What do you think the raven symbolizes?