Page 172 - 100 Best Loved Poems - Teaching Unit
P. 172
“The Raven”
by Edgar Allan Poe, pages 55-58
Vocabulary
surcease – an end
obeisance – a bow or other gesture of respect
mien – aspect
Plutonian – of or relating to the underworld; hellish
countenance – face; facial expression
discourse – conversation
aptly – appropriately
Seraphim – angels
respite – relief
nepenthe – something that eases pain or causes one to forget a painful situation
quaff – drink
1. Read the poem’s first line. What is the literary term for a rhyme such as the rhyming of
“dreary” (in the middle of the line) with “weary” (at the line’s end)?
2. Who is Lenore?
3. Why do you think Poe chose to use a raven in this poem as opposed to, for example, a
parrot or sparrow?
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