The Gothic Novel and The Raven

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Gothic

Find out what these common traits are

What: find out what these common traits are by looking them up yourself.

How: in groups of 3 each member will look up one trait; describe it in their own words (2/3 sentences if possible) and share it with their group. Take notes!

The terms: the sublime; horror vs. terror; the uncanny

Time: 10 minutes

What is the sublime?

What is the uncanny?

What is horror vs. terror?

The uncanny? Horror vs Terror or The sublime? 

The uncanny valley

www.thegothiclibrary.com

The uncanny? Horror vs Terror or The sublime? 

The sublime

The sublime in literature

www.thegothiclibrary.com

The uncanny? Horror vs Terror or The sublime? 

Horror vs Terror

Horror vs Terror

raven

While you watch, add notes to the poem in your reader. 

Compare notes with your classmate. 

Add/adapt when necessary. 

Any questions?

While you watch, add notes to the poem in your reader. 

Compare notes with your classmate. 

Add/adapt when necessary. 

Any questions?

Allusion

An allusion is an indirect reference to something, and Poe makes multiple allusions in "The Raven." Some key ones include:

• The bust of Pallas the raven sits on refers to Pallas Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom.
• Nepenthe is a drug mentioned in Homer's ancient epic The Odyssey, and it is purported to erase memories.
• The Balm of Gilead is a reference to a healing cream mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah in the Bible.
• Aidenn refers to the Garden of Eden, although the narrator likely uses it to mean "heaven" in general, as he wants to know if that's where he and Lenore will reunite.
• Ravens themselves are mentioned in many stories, including Norse mythology and Ovid's epic poem Metamorphoses.

First stanza:

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, AA

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore— B

    While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, CC

As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. CB

“’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door— B

            Only this and nothing more.” B

Final stanza

And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting AA

On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door; B

    And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming, CC

    And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor; CB

And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor B

            Shall be lifted—nevermore! B

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What are the gothic traits in this poem? Name at least two.

What do you know about Gothic after this lesson?

The Raven also inspired pop musicians. Such as The Alan Parsons Project.