Lesson Plan for HKIEd

The poem has an extremely strong rhyme and syllable pattern. That means that when you read
the poem out loud, you feel the strong beat of the poem. Through the whole poem, the feeling is
that something is coming and the strong beat gives the sense that no one can stop the unknown
thing from coming. In addition the poet repeats many lines, which also adds to this feeling.
The poem (like all poems) MUST be read aloud to get the feeling the poet wants to express.
Part E Second Verse of ‘The Raven’
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December;
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow -- vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow -- sorrow for the lost Lenore--
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore--
Questions and Comments
Nameless here for evermore.
The poet gives us more of the setting and his mood. He also increases the use of internal rhyme
in the second verse.
1. Write the number of syllables for each line.
a) line 1 _____ b) line 2 ____ c) line 3 ____ d) line 4 ____ e) line 5 ____ f) line 6 ____
2. There are three important rhymes in the second verse. What are the rhyming words for each?
rhyme 1 rhyme 2 rhyme 3
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
______________________ _____________________ _____________________
______________________ _____________________ ______________________
3. What does the last line of the verse mean?
Part F More of the Poem
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--
That it is and nothing more."
Presently my soul grew stronger: hesitating then no longer,
"Sir, " said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore:
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.
Deep into the darkness peering, long I stood there wondering fearing.
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before:
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore?"
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word "Lenore!"--
Merely this and nothing more.