Analysing 'The Raven'
I can analyse the symbolism in ‘The Raven’.
Analysing 'The Raven'
I can analyse the symbolism in ‘The Raven’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The poem is about a man who is visited by a foreboding raven, in the night.
- In the poem, the raven symbolises death and the speaker’s grief.
- Poe presents the narrator as griefstricken; he has perhaps been influenced by the tragedy in his own life.
- The poem links to the Gothic through the dark, isolated setting.
- The poem links to the Gothic through its portrayal of a speaker, in a state of heightened emotion.
Keywords
Symbolism - a literary device where a noun represents an abstract quality
Turbulent - confused and disordered
Entreat - to entreat someone is to beg them
Myth - a traditional story, often about a fact of nature
Melancholy - a long lasting feeling of deep sadness
Common misconception
Students may misuse the varying forms of the word "symbolism."
Explicitly teach them how the various forms are used in sentences.
To help you plan your year 8 english lesson on: Analysing 'The Raven', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 english lesson on: Analysing 'The Raven', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 english lessons from the Gothic poetry unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need a copy of Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Raven' which is available in the additional materials.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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