Narrative Poetry

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Narrative Poetry

• Pre-Reading Notes
• The Raven Edgar Allan Poe

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What is a narrative poem?

• A narrative poem is one that tells a story.
• Like any story, a narrative poem typically has a
  plot with a beginning, a middle, and an end.
• A narrative poem must also have a setting and
  characters.

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About the Author

• Edgar Allan Poe
• Born Jan. 19, 1809
• He was born in Boston, MA but grew up in England
  and in Virginia.
• He is known for writing books and short stories
  that are mysterious and sometimes horrific.

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The Raven - 1845

• Summary
• The Raven is about a lonely man that misses his
  lost love, Lenore. He is trying not to think
  about her when he hears a tapping on his door and
  then on his window. When he opens the window, a
  raven enters his room, lands on a statue of the
  Greek god of wisdom and says, Nevermore.
• Even though the man knows that the raven cant
  really think on its own, and doesnt say anything
  but nevermore, he starts asking it questions
  about his wife like, Is there anything that will
  make me feel better?, Will I one day see my
  wife in heaven? and Will I ever be able to
  forget my memories of Lenore?
• Of course the raven can only reply with
  Nevermore.

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Literary Term - Alliteration

• Repetition of the first consonant in a group of
  words
• Example
• Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers
• As you read the poem, pay attention to how the
  author uses alliteration.