Edgar Allan Poe Unit Test Part 1 (The Raven)

Questions and Answers

What is the setting?

It takes place in a young man's chamber on a dull and dreary night in December at midnight.

What point of view is it told in?

First person

What conflict does the narrator experience?

Man vs. self, which is an internal conflict.

The conflict is a battle between _______

the narrator's desire to love Lenore and his desire to let her go. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the narrator insane?

He keeps expecting a different answer from a bird that can only say 'nevermore'. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Lenore?

The narrator's lost love who has recently died. Signup and view all the answers

Who did Poe create Lenore after? Why?

His wife, whose name was Virginia. She was alive while Poe was writing the poem and she died shortly after it was published. Signup and view all the answers

What noise does the narrator hear?

A tapping at his chamber door. Signup and view all the answers

What happens over the course of the story?

The sound is continuing to grow louder and louder, driving the narrator crazy. Signup and view all the answers

What does the raven saying 'nevermore' symbolize?

That it is finally time to let Lenore go because he will never see her again. Signup and view all the answers

Where does the raven sit?

On the statue (bust) of Athena the goddess of wisdom. Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator find when he first opens the door?

Nothing Signup and view all the answers

What does rapping mean?

Tapping Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator try to do throughout the story?

Convince himself that the noises are just things like the wind and that there is no one there. Signup and view all the answers

What does the raven look like?

It is ebony (dark colored) and has a grave and stern look on its face. Signup and view all the answers

What did the narrator think of what the raven was saying?

He thought it made no sense and was surprised the bird could speak. Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator try to do?

Figure out what the bird is saying. Signup and view all the answers

What does the bird become an image of?

Death Signup and view all the answers

What particular question does the narrator ask the raven?

Is there a cure for my depression? Signup and view all the answers

At the end of the story, what does the narrator want the raven to do?

Leave and stop taunting him with his one-word reply of 'nevermore'. Signup and view all the answers

When the raven leaves, what is that a symbol of?

The narrator has finally let go of Lenore. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Setting

Takes place in a young man's chamber at midnight on a dreary December night.

Point of View

Narrated from the first-person perspective.

Conflict

Central conflict is man vs. self, representing the narrator's inner turmoil.

Internal Struggle

The narrator grapples with the desire to love Lenore versus the need to let her go.

Insanity

The narrator exhibits signs of madness by repeatedly seeking a different answer from the raven, which only responds with "nevermore."

Lenore

Lenore is the narrator's deceased love, symbolizing lost affection and sorrow.

Inspiration for Lenore

Poe modeled Lenore after his wife, Virginia, who passed away shortly after the poem's publication.

Noises in the Chamber

The narrator hears a tapping at his chamber door, escalating in intensity.

Climactic Events

The persistent noise intensifies, contributing to the narrator's mental unraveling.

Symbolism of "Nevermore"

The raven's repeated phrase "nevermore" symbolizes the finality of loss and the necessity to let Lenore go.

Raven's Position

The raven perches on a bust of Athena, the goddess of wisdom, suggesting themes of knowledge and mourning.

Initial Encounter

Upon opening the door, the narrator finds nothing, heightening suspense and isolation.

Meaning of Rapping

The term "rapping" refers to the tapping sound the narrator hears.

Self-Convincing

Throughout the poem, the narrator tries to rationalize the noises as mere products of wind or imagination.

Description of the Raven

The raven is described as ebony, with a serious, grave expression that adds to the story's ominous tone.

Perception of the Raven's Speech

The narrator finds the raven's ability to speak nonsensical and is astonished by it.

Quest for Understanding

The narrator seeks to comprehend the meaning behind the bird’s words.

Representation of Death

The raven ultimately becomes an emblem of death, reflecting the narrator's despair.

Key Question

The narrator specifically asks the raven whether there is a cure for his profound depression.

Desire for Release

At the story's conclusion, the narrator wishes for the raven to depart and cease its tormenting repetition of "nevermore."

Symbolic Departure

The raven's eventual leaving symbolizes the narrator's acceptance of loss, indicating a psychological release regarding Lenore.

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Description

Test your understanding of Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Raven' through detailed flashcards. Explore the setting, point of view, and internal conflicts faced by the narrator. This quiz will challenge your comprehension and analytical skills regarding one of Poe's most famous works.