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Introducing The Master Story Teller – Edgar Allan Poe

8th Graders just started a deep study of the amazing work of this 19th Century master story teller and poet. During this unit, the students will read closely, The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, and  The Cask of Amontillado. We will discover how Mr. Poe has influenced writer’s and film makers for more than 100 hundred years.

Poe

From “The Raven”

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,1
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, 3
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. 4
“‘Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door-
Only this, and nothing more.” 5

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-
Nameless here for evermore.

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain 6
Thrilled me- filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before; 7
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.”

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer, 8
“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.

Can you find examples of these literary elements?

1. Ryhme:

2. Alliteration:

3. Onomatopoeia:

4. Repetition:

5. Personifaction:

6. Assonance:

7. Figurative Language: