Refer to “The Raven: Study Guide” and answer the following:

Webquest 1: "The Raven"

  • Visit the first three sites below, entitled "The Interactive Raven," "The Raven: A Study Guide," and "The Raven: Listen and Read."
  • Websites: The Interactive Raven,The Raven: A Study Guide, The Raven: Listen and Read
  • Choose your favorite site with which to "experience" Poe's poem. Read (and listen) to the poem in its entirety and then complete the worksheet that you received in class. You may have to visit more than one site to complete the worksheet. (A copy of the worksheet is attached below.)

When you have finished, hand in the completed webquest worksheet.

  1. What is the effect of using the word “chamber” instead of “bedroom” to establish the setting?
  1. How is the mental state of the narrator described?
  1. Read the excerpt from the poem below. Identify the following literary devices:
  2. Underline an example of alliteration by underlining the first letters of the words
  3. Circle two examples of internal rhyme (circle both words that rhyme)
  4. Draw a box around an example of end rhyme
  5. Diagram the rhyme scheme

(The examples in the 1st two lines are done for you)

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, A
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore--B
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping--rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door--
Only this and nothing more."

  1. Whom do some scholars believe “Lenore” represents in the poem?
  1. IN YOUR OWN WORDS, briefly summarize the events of the poem below:
  1. Refer to “The Interactive Raven” and write down the meaning of the following words:

  1. Surcease –
  2. Entreating –
  3. Implore –
  4. Countenance –
  5. Dirges –
  6. Seraphim –
  7. Respite –
  8. Quaff –

  1. Find one more example in the poem of each:
  2. Alliteration -
  3. Internal rhyme -
  4. End rhyme –

Visit “Knowing Poe: It’ll Be the Death of Me” to complete the following worksheet.

  1. In the basement of the library, you will find a filing cabinet. The tabs are labeled as follows:

Poisoning

Consumption

In His Brain

Heart of Poe

Gas Lighting

New Theory – Cats

Crooked Elections

Alcoholism?

Read each file thoroughly, and record the evidence for and against each theory of what caused Poe’s death. The first example is done for you.

In His Brain: Poe’s doctor said he had brain fever, and modern doctors say a twisted looking face is evidence of brain lesions, but there was never an autopsy to prove it.

Poisoning

Consumption

Heart of Poe

Gas Lighting

New Theory – Cats

Crooked Elections

Alcoholism?

What cause of death do you find the most convincing? Most be provide evidence for your reasoning and why you don’t believe in at least 2 of the other theories. 2-3 paragraphs.