The Ravenby Edgar Allan Poe

Transcription

1 This poem is written in Some of the words aren t used very often anymore in everyday English or are otherwise difficult words that you may not know. For those words you will find an easier word with a similar meaning (synonym) in parentheses after the difficult word. Additionally, there are a few extra stanza s from the original poem that are part of the Simpson s episode, but not what part of the text that we will review in-depth. Those are written in gray text so that you can still follow along while watching the Simpsons video. (abridged) Once upon a midnight dreary, while I ponderd (thought) weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore (stories), While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber (room) door. 'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, 'tapping at my chamber door Only this, and nothing more.' Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak (dark/hopeless) December, And each separate dying ember (red coal) wrought (formed) its ghost upon the floor. Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrow From my books surcease (seperation) of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore - For the rare and radiant (glowing) maiden whom the angels named Lenore - Nameless here for evermore. And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain Thrilled me - filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before; So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating `'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door - Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; - This it is, and nothing more,' Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer, `Sir,' said I, `or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore (beg); But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping, And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door, That I scarce was sure I heard you' - here I opened wide the door; - Darkness there, and nothing more.

2 Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning, Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before. `Surely,' said I, `surely that is something at my window lattice; Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore - Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter, In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore (time long past). Not the least obeisance (act of minding to submit) made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he; But, with mien (stately manner) of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door - Perched upon a bust (statue) of Pallas (mythological goddess of wisdom) just above my chamber door - Perched, and sat, and nothing more. `Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,' I said, `art sure no craven. Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the nightly shore - Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!' Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.' Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor. `Wretch,' I cried, `thy God hath lent thee - by these angels he has sent thee Respite - respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore! Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore!' Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.' `Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend (monster)!' I shrieked upstarting - `Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore (Pluto = god of the underworld)! Leave no black plume (feather) as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken! Leave my loneliness unbroken! - quit the bust above my door! Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!' Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.' And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting On the pallid (pale) bust (statue) of Pallas just above my chamber door; And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming, And the lamp-light o'er (around) him streaming throws his shadow on the floor; And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor Shall be lifted - nevermore!

3 Teacher Questions/prompt #1: Student s first impressions and global understanding of the poem Some students will have immediate reactions to the poem and yet others will need prompting with questions. I recommend writing a selection of (5 max.) on the board with a whiteboard marker and allowing students a moment to consider their responses. 1. What is your first impression of The Raven poem. 2. What is your very first thought after watching the Simpsons video? 3. What do you/don t you like about what you just saw? 4. What do you think the poem is about? 5. Who is the main character? 6. What does the Raven do? 7. What makes this poem scary? 8. Do you think this poem is scary? 9. Who is Lenore? 10. Where does the story take place? 11. Do you think there is a lot of action in the story? 12. What do you think of the role Bart plays in the video?

4 Teacher Questions/prompt #2: In-depth reading working toward a good understanding of the poem Some classes will be more comfortable with a class discussion and central reading of poetry text than others. These questions are designed for teachers to use when students get stuck, when teachers/students have trouble coming up with questions of their own or as a general guide for an in-depth reading of the text. 1. What happens in the first stanza a. What time of day does the poem take place and how does this add to the poem? b. What is the main character doing in this first stanza? c. What do you think of napping, rapping and tapping? 2. What happens in the second stanza a. What time of year does the poem take place and does that add to the poem? b. Each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor, Explain? c. Who do you think Lenore is? 3. What happens in the third stanza? a. What is the action in this stanza? b. Why do you think this stanza is important to the poem? c. Could we leave it out? 4. What happens in the fourth stanza? a. To whom is the main character speaking? b. What does he find when he opens the door? 5. What happens in the fifth stanza? (we skip one) a. Describe in your own words what the main character does b. How would you act out the manner that the raven entered? 6. What happens in the sixth stanza? a. Do you think the Raven has helped the main character deal with losing Lenore? b. How does the main character feel about the Raven? c. What does he demand the Raven do? 7. What happens in the last stanza? a. Does the Raven leave? b. What kind of eyes does the Raven have? c. How does the poem end for the main character?

5 Instructions: Write one short sentence to summarize the events in each stanza. There should be 7. The first one is done for you below. 1. One night while I was falling asleep reading in my living room someone came knocking on my door

6 Storyboard: Use the upper square to draw the scene represented in each stanza of the poem. Underneath write out your summary sentence for each scene. I

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8 School: Vak: English Docent: Week: Lesuur: Klas (en): Aantal leerlingen: Onderwerpen: The Raven Poetry Lesson Schoolmethode: Lesdoelen voor de leerlingen: 1. Introduce a non-traditional classic poem to onderbouw students in a fun, accessible and modern fashion 2. Show students that old material can be re-used in modern media. 3. Have students read, understand and summarize a classic Poe poem. 3. Ground scary stories/poetry in a specific British cultural practice thereby placing the genre of poetry in both a historical and modern context. 4. Introduce students implicitly to the experience of literary devices 5. Use English to discuss ideas in small groups, which improves speaking skills and cooperation with peers. Beginsituatie/Aandachtspunten vooraf: This is designed as a Halloween lesson and should be given in the month of October for relevancy. Tijd Omschrijving Docent activiteiten Leerling activiteiten Onderwijs en leermiddel Min. Welcome min. Introduction Welcome - Attention getter Jack o lantern Scary music Low lighting/dark Question: Which holiday? Halloween = British holiday = tradition of telling scary stories/reciting scary poems --even today. Today = we will read a scary poem called The Raven by an author famous for writing scary stories Edgar Allan Poe Students enter and take out books, preparing themselves for the lesson Listen and answer Computer, beamer, speakers Student packet min. 1st presentation Video= 5 min. Discussion = 5 min. Hand out student packet Question while watching: (write on board) What makes this a scary poem? Show video: (students follow text) Short class discussion re: first impression + questions Follow along text, think about question, watch video Computer, beamer and internet White board, text, teacher prompt #1

9 Min. 2nd & 3rd reading Min. Post reading activity min. Closing 2 nd reading by teacher - global 3 rd reading - In-depth, stanza for stanza class discussion using question prompts Storyboard re-create (draw/write) summary as a comic/storyboard (groups of 3) Best one: -hung up on the wall -AND Jolly Ranchers Summarize lesson Poe = whole collections, incl. stories like The Black cat (hint, hint: extensive reading) Next lesson we will take a look at your work and hang the best one up on the board. Homework Actively listen, formulate answers, participate in discussion Talking in English, cooperating, working in small groups, drawing, summarizing and writing Listen, pack up for next lesson White board, text, teacher prompt #2 handouts/student packet White board