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Part C Translated version of ‘The Raven’<br />
‘The Raven’ is the title of a poem written by Edgar Allan Poe and published in 1845. Poe was<br />
famous <strong>for</strong> tales of horror and this poem has remained popular <strong>for</strong> more than 150 years now.<br />
The poem tells the story of a man who is sitting in his study late at night. He hears knocking at<br />
the door, but can’t see anyone there. Finally a raven (a big black bird) enters the room. Look<br />
at the translated version of the opening verses of the poem below.<br />
The Raven (translated by T. Gaughan)<br />
One cold and dark midnight a long time ago, I was thinking about many things while I tiredly looked at old books about<br />
ancient subjects. I was nodding over the books and nearly asleep when I heard a tapping sound at the door to the room. The<br />
sound surprised me, but I said to myself that it was just a visitor making the tapping sound, and nothing else.<br />
Thinking back now, I remember that it was in the middle of a bleak December. The fire had burned down until it was just red<br />
coals so there was not much light in the room, and I saw the shadows of the coal upon the floor. I wanted it to be day already.<br />
I couldn’t sleep because of my sadness over Lenore, and looking at my books didn’t help my state of mind.<br />
The purple curtains in the room moved slightly and filled me with fear. To calm myself I repeated over and over, “it is some<br />
visitor who wants to enter, a late visitor who wants to enter, and nothing else.”<br />
Soon I became less afraid and spoke to the door, “Sir or Madam, I’m sorry, but I was almost asleep and you knocked so lightly<br />
on the door that I almost couldn’t hear you.” Then I opened the door but there was nothing there.<br />
I stood and looked into the darkness <strong>for</strong> a long time. I felt very afraid, but there was no sound and everything was still. I<br />
whispered the word, “Lenore?” and heard a quiet echo, “Lenore.” I heard nothing else.<br />
Make a glossary of 6 words that you don’t know the meaning of, but you think are important to<br />
understanding the story. Use your dictionary to write the meanings. What part of speech is<br />
the word that you chose?<br />
Word Meaning<br />
ex. ancient<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
-very old<br />
Look at the above passage. What in<strong>for</strong>mation can you find on the following?<br />
Characters<br />
Genre (Clues?)