LITERARY TECHNIQUES in “The Raven”
Name: _______________
All writers pay particular attention to the sound, effect, and meaning of their words, Edgar Allan Poe is no exception. Look at the
definition and example from other poetry, then seek out an E.A.P. example in your text of “The Raven.”
TERM
DEFINITION
EXAMPLE
alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of a
consonant sound at the beginning
of words
(Donald Duck; sweet smell of success)
I saw lingering late and lightless
A single swan, swinging, sleek
as a sequin.
- W.R. Rodgers, “The Swan”
assonance
Assonance is the repetition of a vowel sound
And so, all the night-tide,
within words.
I lie down by the side
(free and easy; make the grade
Of my darling, my darling,
my life and my bride.
- Edgar Allan Poe, “Annabel Lee”
Consonance is the repetition of consonant
Whenever Richard Corey went downtown
sounds within words (differing from alliteration,
which takes place just at the beginning of words)
We people on the pavement looked at him. . .
onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is the use of words that
sound like what they mean. Poets use
this to add a sensory experience (of sound)
to their meaning: tick-tock; crash; tweet)
We rush into a rain
That rattles double glass
-Theodore Roethke, “Night Journey”
rhyme
Rhyme is the repetition of sounds at the
end of words. Rhyme may involve one
or more syllables.
(rest-best; remember-September)
Miniver Cheevy, child of scorn,
Grew lean while he assailed the seasons;
He wept that he was ever born,
And he had reasons.
- E.A. Robinson, “Miniver Cheevy”
rhythm
Rhythm is the pattern of stressed and
unstressed syllables in a sentence or line
of poetry. Poets use rhythm to help
create a mood, momentum, or to
emphasize meaning. (Note how the
example’s strong, pounding rhythm
echoes the sound of troops marching.)
O what is that sound that so thrills the ear
Down in the valley drumming, drumming?
Only the scarlet soldiers dear,
The soldiers coming.
- W.H. Auden, “O What . . . “
consonance
E.A.P. ex.
“The Raven” depends for its effect on Poe’s skillful use of the “sound” techniques on the other side, but how a poem sounds is only
one piece of its overall impression. Notice how Poe uses the following “meaning” techniques to create an effect in the reader and to
set a particular mood. Fill in your own examples from “The Raven” of these techniques in action in the space to the right.
TERM
DEFINITION
EXAMPLE
allusion
An allusion is a reference, without explanation,
to previous,well-known literature, to history, to
a famous character, or to other common
knowledge, assuming the reader is familiar
with the reference and its implications.
. . So come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
'Cause fire is the Devil's only friend.
- Don McLean, “American Pie”
(widely read as referring to Mick
Jagger of the Rolling Stones)
imagery:
Imagery is the use of vivid detail, often
visual but also having to do with the
other senses, to form pictures or images
in the reader’s mind. Good authors remember
that “a picture is worth a thousand words,” as
they write, striving to say a great deal in
a small space.
Cars
In the Park
With long spear lights
Ride at each other
Like armored knights
- Mildred Weston, “Central Park Tourney”
personification
Personification is a special form of
comparison that gives human characteristics
to an object, place, idea, or animal.
(The motor coughed; The moon gazed down.)
Inside the pencil
crouch words that have never been written
- W.S. Merwin, “The Unwritten”
symbolism
A symbol is something physical, like an
object or color, that is used to stand for
an idea. If a writer repeatedly refers to one
object, you might suspect it is being used to
symbolize more than just itself.
(A dove, for example, often symbolizes peace.)
One is amazed
By a water-lily bud
Unfolding
With each passing day,
Taking on a richer color
And new dimensions
One is not amazed,
At a first glance,
By a poem
- Naoshi Koriyama, “Unfolding Bud”
E.A.P. ex.