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

Lesson 71: The Raven v. 13-15

by Edgar Allan Poe

Performer: Librivox - Kara Shallenberg


Thus I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing

To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;

This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining

On the cushion's velvet lining, that the lamp-light gloated o'er,

But whose velvet violet lining, with the lamp-light gloating o'er,

She shall press, ah, nevermore!



Then methought the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer

Swung by seraphim, whose footfalls twinkled on the tufted floor.

"Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee-by these angels He hath sent thee

Respite-respite and nepenthe from my memories of Lenore!

Quaff, oh, quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore!"

Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."



"Prophet," said I, "thing of evil-prophet still, if bird or devil!

Whether tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore

Desolate, yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted,

On this home by horror haunted-tell me truly, I implore,

Is there-is there balm in Gilead?-tell me, tell me, I implore!"

Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

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

Lesson 71: The Raven v. 13-15

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 Raven's eyes burn through the narrator. The narrator smells incense and believes he hears angels nearby. The narrator calls the Raven a wretch and wishes for a potion to make him forget Lenore. The Raven just croaks back, 'Nevermore.' The narrator wonders whether evil sent the Raven or if the Raven has been sent to soothe him. The raven croaks again, 'Nevermore.'

Vocabulary

Bosom: The human chest.
Divining: Discover something by guesswork, intuition, or supernatural insight.
Censer: A container in which incense is burned.
Incense: A gum, spice, or other substance that is burned for the sweet smell it produces.
Seraphim: Angels.
Nepenthe: A drug described in Homer's Odyssey as banishing grief or trouble from a person's mind.
Quaff: To drink heartily.
Prophet: A person who makes or claims to be able to make predictions.
Tempest: A violent windy storm.
Balm: A fragrant ointment or preparation used to heal or soothe the skin.
Gilead: A region in modern day Jordan. In the poem, is a reference to a Biblical quote, 'Is there no balm in Gilead?' meaning is there no peace, no end to the pain and suffering?

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 Raven
  • Pallas
  • Bust
  • Doors
  • Seraphim
  • The Narrator
  • Chair

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 78-79 of 'Poetry Coloring Pages for First Grade.'

Activity 5: Draw the Poem

  • One day this week, after you read the verses of the poem, draw the seraphim from the poem.

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the poem?
1 / 4

Answer 1

The title of the poem is 'The Raven v. 13-15
1 / 4

Question 2

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

Answer 2

The Raven's eyes burn through the narrator. The narrator smells incense and believes he hears angels nearby. The narrator calls the Raven a wretch and wishes for a potion to make him forget Lenore. The Raven just croaks back, 'Nevermore.' The narrator wonders whether evil sent the Raven or if the Raven has been sent to soothe him. The raven croaks again, 'Nevermore.'
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, the Raven, and perhaps some Seraphim.
4 / 4

  1. What is the title of the poem? The title of the poem is 'The Raven v. 13-15
  2. What happens in these verses of the poem? The Raven's eyes burn through the narrator. The narrator smells incense and believes he hears angels nearby. The narrator calls the Raven a wretch and wishes for a potion to make him forget Lenore. The Raven just croaks back, 'Nevermore.' The narrator wonders whether evil sent the Raven or if the Raven has been sent to soothe him. The raven croaks again, 'Nevermore.'
  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, the Raven, and perhaps some Seraphim.