THE RAVEN Edgar Allan Poe THE COMMON RAVEN

“THE RAVEN” Edgar Allan Poe

THE COMMON RAVEN • Large birds, typically 26 inches long. • Found in most of the Northern Hemisphere. • Loud, aggressive and very intelligent birds • Symbol of prophecy to many cultures—mystery, evil omens, death, and disease • Poe considered using an owl or parrot but chose Raven because they are fearless and clever

THE POEM v First published in 1845 v Follows the tradition of Gothic novels • Set in a mysterious castle/mansion • Told of eerie or supernatural occurrences v It is Poe’s best known work and probably the most famous poem in American literature v Has the sound of a lyric poem but is a narrative poem v Plot leads from curiosity to horror

TWO LEVELS OF INTERPRETATION 1. Story of a man obsessed with grief so much so to the point of physical and nervous exhaustion which plunges him into his madness. 2. Allegory (a story or poem in which characters, settings, and events stand for other people or events) of a soul’s struggle to overcome the temptations of despair and doubt.

POSSIBLE THEME v. Untimely death of a beautiful woman (perhaps Poe’s own wife, Virginia)

JOURNAL 1. Why do people become superstitious? What kinds of superstitions do you believe in and why? 2. How are people affected by grief?