Poetry of Fables, Fairies, and Fauna Fables, Fairies, and Fauna    

Lesson 68: The Raven v. 4-6

by Edgar Allan Poe

Performer: Librivox - Kara Shallenberg


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,

And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,

That I scarce was sure I heard you"-here I opened wide the door;-

Darkness there, and nothing more.



Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing,

Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;

But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,

And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore!"

This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "Lenore!"

Merely this, and nothing more.



Back into my chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,

Soon again I heard a rapping, something louder than before:

"Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice;

Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore-

Let my heart be still a moment, and this mystery explore.

'Tis the wind, and nothing more."

    Poetry of Fables, Fairies, and Fauna Fables, Fairies, and Fauna    

Lesson 68: The Raven v. 4-6

by Edgar Allan Poe

Performer: Librivox - Kara Shallenberg

Directions

Study the poem for one week.

Over the week:

  • Read or listen to the poem.
  • Review the synopsis.
  • Complete the enrichment activities.
  • Study the review questions.

Synopsis

The narrator hears a tapping at his door. He opens the door, but no one is there. All he hears is a whisper of the word, 'Lenore.' He goes back into his chamber and the tapping starts again, even louder. He tells himself it is only the wind at his window.

Vocabulary

Forgiveness: Act or process of stopping feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake.
Scarce: Not enough to meet demand.
Mortal: Of a living human being, often in contrast to a divine being, that is subject to death.
Merely: Just, only.
Lattice: A structure consisting of strips of wood or metal crossed and fastened together with square or diamond-shaped spaces left between, used typically as a screen or fence or as a support for climbing plants.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Recite the Title, the Poet's Name, and the Poem

  • Each day this week, recite aloud the title of the poem, the name of the poet, and the poem. Instructors may need to prompt children line-by-line.

Activity 2: Study the Poem's Companion Painting

  • Study the painting below, and describe it in your own words.

Find the following in the companion painting:

  • The Poem Narrator
  • Spirits
  • Window
  • Branches
  • Curtains
  • Shutters

Activity 3: Narrate the Poem

  • After reading or listening to each verse of the poem, narrate the verse events aloud using your own words.

Activity 4: Color the Poem   

  • Click the crayon above, and complete pages 72-73 of 'Poetry Coloring Pages for First Grade.'

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the poem?
1 / 4

Answer 1

The title of the poem is 'The Raven v. 4-6
1 / 4

Question 2

What happens in these verses of the poem?
2 / 4

Answer 2

The narrator hears a tapping at his door. He opens the door, but no one is there. All he hears is a whisper of the word, 'Lenore.' He goes back into his chamber and the tapping at his door starts again, even louder. He tells himself it is only the wind.
2 / 4

Question 3

Where does the poem take place?
3 / 4

Answer 3

The poem takes place in the narrator's chamber.
3 / 4

Question 4

Who are the characters in the poem?
4 / 4

Answer 4

The narrator and perhaps someone or something tapping on his door.
4 / 4

  1. What is the title of the poem? The title of the poem is 'The Raven v. 4-6
  2. What happens in these verses of the poem? The narrator hears a tapping at his door. He opens the door, but no one is there. All he hears is a whisper of the word, 'Lenore.' He goes back into his chamber and the tapping at his door starts again, even louder. He tells himself it is only the wind.
  3. Where does the poem take place? The poem takes place in the narrator's chamber.
  4. Who are the characters in the poem? The narrator and perhaps someone or something tapping on his door.