The Raven

THE RAVEN

1. Retell the plot of the poem in your own words.

A man is sitting alone reading an old tale. He is getting sleepy "nearly napping"

He then is awakened by a sound at his door. And he thinks in his sleepy state that this is maybe the return of his loved Lenore. He opens the door and whispers out Lenore but the only reply he hears is the echo of his own voice.

With an eager heart he shuts the door to be alone again in the room when he hears a sound at the window. As he opens the window a raven comes flying in.

The raven takes a rest, on the goddess, above the chambers door.

The man asks the raven his name and gets his question answered "nevermore".

The man is surprise but knows that the raven has learnt to speak and can only say "nevermore". The man then starts a conversation with the raven knowing what the answer will be "Nevermore". And thus the man already in pain over the loss of his Lenore starts to torment himself by asking painful questions knowing the answers. After a few questions the man knows that this conversation is pointless. And his "soul from out that shadow" that the raven throws on the floor

"Shall be lifted - Nevermore!"

2. What seems to you, to be the narrator's state of mind? (Consider especially verses 1 to 3.)

He is sleepy or asleep and dreaming or having a nightmare.

3. What is the role of the Raven in this poem? Why do you think the poet has made use of just this bird and not some other? (See verse 7 and the rest.)

The role of the raven in this poem is that of the speaker of wisdom.

The raven is sometimes seen as a black cat.

He makes use of raven