Names of Group Members_______________________________________________________________

1. What is the speakers attitude toward the raven when he first flies through the window? How does
his attitude change the longer he talks to the bird?

2. Why does the speaker become increasingly repetitive/agitated?

3. If he knows the bird only knows how to say nevermore, why does he keep asking it questions?

4. What are the signs of the speakers self-torture in the poem?

Poe also says in The Philosophy of Composition that the death of a beautiful woman is the most
poetical topic in the world :
I asked myself--"Of all melancholy topics what, according to the universal understanding of mankind, is
the most melancholy?" Death, was the obvious reply. "And when," I said, "is this most melancholy of
topics most poetical?" From what I have already explained at some length the answer here also is
obvious--"When it most closely allies itself to Beauty: the death, then, of a beautiful woman is
unquestionably the most poetical topic in the world, and equally is it beyond doubt that the lips best suited
for such topic are those of a bereaved lover."

5. Poe wasnt alone in thinking this, it is clear from the many, many poems about beautiful dead
women written in his time. Why might this be a cultural obsession?

6. In what way is The Raven about poetic beauty?

7. Each member pick one word to describe the poem and how it made them feel.

8. Based on the words that your group wrote down, what is the overall tone of the poem?
 9. What specific words and phrases in the poem help to set the tone of it?

10. Did your group enjoy this poem? Why/why not?

8.RL.2.2 Analyze the development of a theme or central idea over the course of a work of literature,
including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide a detailed summary that
supports the analysis.

8.RL.2.3 Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a work of literature propel the action,
reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.

8.SL.2.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-
led) on grade-appropriate topics, texts, and issues, building on others ideas and expressing
personal ideas clearly.

8.SL.2.2 Examine, analyze, and reflect on ideas under discussion by identifying specific evidence from
materials under study and other resources.