Edgar Allan Poe • This poem may be based on events from Poe’s own experiences. • Poe was born on January 19, 1809. • His mother died at a young age, and his father left the family. • His wife died two years after “The Raven” was published. • “The Raven” was published in 1845. • His misfortunes continue after death. • His family couldn’t afford a tombstone for Poe; when one was finally purchased, it was struck by a train and destroyed. • The people of Baltimore raised money for a monument made out of clay, but the model was destroyed in a fire. • A second model was demolished in an earthquake. • Finally, in 1875, the bronze sculpture was erected in Poe’s honor. Simile Metaphor Personification Hyperbole Alliteration Assonance Internal Rhyme End Rhyme • A rhyme that occurs within the same line • Example: “Whiles all the night through fog-smoke white” • Alliteration: Repetition of a particular sound in the first syllable. • Example: The raven rummaged through the red cupboard. • Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds. • Example: The weak flea jumped from the tree to the black raven. • is giving human traits (qualities, feelings, action, or characteristics) to non-living objects (things, colors, qualities, or ideas). • Example: The raven stretched his wings to hug the night air. 1. Think: What does the stanza mean to you? 2. Pair: Come to an agreement about the meaning of the poem. 3. Share Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper: First Stanza: 1. Find and write an example of internal rhyme. 2. Find an example of alliteration. Second Stanza: 3. Find an example of internal rhyme. 4. Find an example of alliteration. All stanzas: 5. Poe uses personification to describe the Raven throughout the poem. Find TWO examples of personification. • Allusion means 'reference'. • It relies on the reader being able to understand the allusion and being familiar with all of the meaning hidden behind the words. • Example: "Christy didn't like to spend money. She was no Scrooge, but she seldom purchased anything except the bare necessities". • Usually refer to classical, biblical, historical, or mythical symbols • Example: "Like the prodigal son, he returned to his home town and was welcomed by all who knew him". • Hamlet was a character from Shakespeare who had a difficulty making a decision. • Benedict Arnold was an American traitor. • Judas betrayed Jesus. • Mother Teresa was a nun who selflessly devoted her life to caring for the poor and sick. • Androcles (or Androclus) was a Roman slave who was sentenced to be killed by wild beasts in the circus. When he was placed in the arena with a fierce lion, however, the lion did not kill him but greeted him with every sign of friendship. • Example: She greeted the criminal who attacked her like the lion greeted Androcles. Search for an example of ALLUSION in “The Raven.” • Pallas (41, 104): This is a reference to the Greek goddess Athena. She is associated with wisdom, which makes her head an ironic place for the Raven to sit, since we can never quite tell if the bird is actually wise or is just saying the only word it knows. Since she's a goddess, though, she's also a symbol of the ideal woman, perfectly beautiful wise, virtuous, and strong. For a man who spends all his time thinking about the perfect maiden he has lost (Lenore), a bust of Pallas seems like a pretty good choice.