Edgar Allan Poe. "The Raven"

The poem "The Raven may be read at

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/178713
The essay "The Philosophy of Composition" can be found at
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/learning/poetics-essay/237848 

"The Raven" is a beautiful, musical, complex poem that can be read accompanied by Poe's own words in "The Philosophy of Composition", which throws light into the poetic text.

The diction, rhyme (both internal and external -at the end of lines), repetitions and alliterations, the refrain in the last line of each stanza, are some of the procedures that Poe used to convey a strong musicality. We should also consider that the poetic persona is obssessed, and transmits this state of mind through the repetitions, and the overwhelming presence of the black raven.

All these issues contribute to the creation of effect, one of the main topics in the essay "The Philosophy of Composition".
Below you may find a short reading guide to concentrate on the central aspects of the essay:

“The Philosophy of Composition”

-Study Guide-

As an introduction

1.       What do most writers , especially poets, think about their own composition?

2.       What will Poe exemplify in the essay with his poem “The Raven”?

Poe’s own comments on “The Raven”

→Extent (length):

→Province of the Poem:

→Tone:

→Refrain: (application, nature and character)

→Topic:

→Climax:

→Locale:

→Denouement:

As a conclusion…

Which is Poe’s first metaphorical expression in the poem? What does it suggest?

This gothic poem has inspired several artists to depict what they imagined as they read the poem. One of the most appealing works is that by Gustave Doré, who in a series of engraving illustrated the poem. Below you will see one of the paintings, you may google others and enjoy them.