The Raven

1. Write an objective summary of “The Raven” in no more than three concise, complete sentences. (Relay only the facts of the poem—what happens, to whom it happens, etc. Do not include personal commentary or opinion.)

2. Why might Poe have chosen a raven instead of another animal? What does the raven’s presence symbolize? In an essay of at least three well-developed paragraphs, make an argument for the importance of the role of the raven in the poem (i.e., the raven’s purpose). You may choose to research and include examples of a raven’s symbolic meaning in various cultures. Support your opinion using evidence from the text. Incorporate at least two quoted phrases or lines; cite these with line numbers.

3. In a well-structured, five-paragraph essay, explain how “The Raven” is a strong example of Gothic literature. Choose at least three elements common among Gothic texts (dark and gloomy mood, elements of the supernatural, narrator’s descent into insanity, etc.) and, citing specific phrases or lines with line numbers, detail how Poe effectively incorporates those elements into his poem to create a specific effect.