The Raven – Flashcards
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What is the setting of the Raven?
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A cold, dreary, bleak December night, at the home of the narrator - fire is dying - he is looking over books. The living space seems lonely.
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How does the setting set the mood of the poem?
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The setting makes one immediately feel the cold, lonely and despairing tone of the poem. It is dark (midnight) and sad (dreary), and this sets the mood of the poem.
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What are the 3 questions the speaker asks the raven?
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What is the raven's name?
Is there balm in Gilead?
Is Lenore in heaven?
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What is the significance of the 1st question (What is the raven's name?)
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this question introduces the Nevermore line - the theme that carries throughout the rest of the poem that there is nothing beyond life here on earth.
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What is the significance of the question "Is there a balm in Gilead?"
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A biblical reference (Jeremiah 8:22) meaning is there healing, hope? The narrator wants to know if there is hope in his future of peace and being relieved from his grief over Lenore.
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What is the significance of "Is Lenore in within the distant Aidenn( Heaven, Eden)?"
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The question is more to the point. The narrator again wants to know if he will be with Lenore in the after life - the Raven says "Nevermore" - making the death of Lenore final with no hope of seeing her again.
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What is the significance of the Raven's lighting on the bust of Pallas
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the bust of Pallas is the statue of Athena the goddess of Wisdom which could allude to the reader trying to decide if the bird is actually wise or just a mimic - also is the bird bringing wisdom to the narrator's questions? And, is it wise to dwell on a question and its answer when it brings only despair and adds to one's grief?
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How does the speaker feel at the beginning of the Poem?
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the narrator is mourning the loss of Lenore - he is alone and weak and weary of trying to distract himself from his sorrow.
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Does the raven amuse the narrator?
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Yes, the narrator goes from "sad fancy to smiling"
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When the Raven enters the room - how does he act?
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The Raven acts like an aristocrat and doesn't greet the narrator but goes straight to his perch on the bust of Pallas.
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Toward the end of the poem what does the word of the raven causes the speaker to feel?
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The speaker becomes annoyed with that one word and no longer is the raven an amusing visitor but a reminder of the finality of death.
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What is Nepenthe?
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A mythological drink that was supposed to comfort grieving people.
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What is the Narrator's emotional state?
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The narrator is overtaken with grief from the loss of his loved one, and he seeks the answers to his questions from a Raven who continually worsens the narrator's hope by saying "Nevermore". For, nevermore would he see his loved one, and there is no hope or peace from his grief.
