Quiz on Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Raven'

What is the main reason Edgar Allan Poe wrote 'The Raven' according to the introductory text?

• To explore themes of death and mourning

• To showcase his writing style

• To share his feelings after his wife's death

• To entertain with a simple narrative

What is the significance of the alliteration in stanza 1: "weak and weary"?

• It rhymes with dreary

• W is near the end of the alphabet signifying the end of Lenore's life

• It stresses the physical and mental condition of the narrator

• It helps set the tone that is upbeat

Why is the raven a fitting bird to show up in his room?

• Ravens are bringers of good luck

• Ravens are Zeus' favorite bird

• Ravens are said to bring bad news

• Ravens are evil birds that attack people

What is tone?

• The author’s attitude about the text.

• Hints or clues about what will happen in the story.

• The reader’s feelings about the text.

• The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.

What was the narrator doing on a cold night at midnight before he was disturbed by a knock?

• Writing a letter to his beloved Lenore

• Talking to an imagined version of Lenore

• Reading a book of old tales and legends

• Sleeping soundly and dreaming of old tales

"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil, prophet still, if bird or devil!" line 85, is an example of . . .

• Alliteration

• Hyperbole

• Metaphor

• Simile

What is the meaning of the word "dreary' in line 1, "Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary'?

• loud and noisy

• happy or joyful

• sad or gloomy

• tired or exhausted

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.”

What message is implied in stanza 3? Explain what this passage could be talking about or what it means.

After pondering the purpose of this bird what is the next action that the narrator takes?

• He shouts at the raven.

• He reads to the raven.

• He wheels up a chair and sits in front of the raven.

• He swings a broom at the raven.

When the narrator states "my hopes have flown before", line 59, what tone is implied?

• dark

• desperate

• hopeful

• hopeless