American Literature

Expansion and Reform (1801-1861)

This collection uses primary sources to explore Edgar Allan Poe&#39;s &quot;The Raven.&quot;

A portrait of Edgar Allan Poe. 

An etching of Edgar Allan Poe by Henri-Emile Lefort, 1894. 

A letter from Washington Irving to Edgar Allan Poe that gives feedback on Poe’s writing, 1839. 

Newburg, November 6, 1839,

Dear Sir, — The magazine you were so kind as to send me, being directed to New York, instead of Tarrytown, did not reach me for some time. This, together with an unfortunate habit of procrastination, must plead my apology for the tardiness of my reply. I have read your little tale of “William Wilson”  with much pleasure. It is managed in a highly picturesque style, and the singular and mysterious interest is well sustained throughout. I repeat what I have said in regard to a previous production, which you did me the favor to send me, that I cannot but think a series of articles of like style and merit would be extremely well received by the public.

[page two]

I could add for your private ear, that I think the last tale much the best, in regard to style. It is simpler. In your first you have been too anxious to present your picture vividly to the eye, or too distrustful of your effect, and have laid on too much coloring. It is erring on the best side—the side of luxuriance. That tale might be improved by relieving the style from some of the epithets. There is no danger of destroying its graphic effect, which is powerful. 

With best wishes for your success,

I am, my dear sir, yours respectfully,

Washington Irving.


A letter from Nathaniel Hawthorne to James Russell Lowell about Hawthorne’s potential contribution to the *Democratic Review*, 1843. 

I am greatly troubled about that contribution for Mr. Poe. Hitherto, I have never 
been accustomed to write during summer weather; and now I find that my thoughts 
fly out of the open window, and will not be enticed back again. I am compelled, 
indeed, to write a worthy article for the Democratic, but is with great pain and dolor, 
and only by the utmost force of self-com-pultion. If I am to read anything to Mr. Poe, 
I should wish it to be worth his reception; but I am conscious of no power to 
produce anything good, at present.  When you write to him, do make my apologies, 
and tell him that I have no more brains than a cabbage—which is absolutely true. He 
shall hear from me after the first frost—possibly sooner.
I shall not forget your promised [?]

Truly your friend,

Nath Hawthorne.

An illustration for “The Raven” by Édouard Manet, 1875. 

A book cover from an 1883 printing of “The Raven” illustrated by William Ladd Taylor. 

An 1846 essay, “The Philosophy of Composition,” in which Poe discusses his approach to writing “The Raven.” 

A review of “The Raven” published in *The Southern Quarterly Review*, 1848. 

“The Parrot,” a parody of “The Raven” published in 1865. 

A parody of “The Raven” by J.W. Scott titled “The Dove,” 1874. 

An 1886 illustrated publication of Poe’s poem, “Lenore,” first published in 1843.

A 1956 political cartoon that uses “The Raven” as a commentary on lobbyists and the U.S. Senate. 

Questions

1. Examine the two portraits of Poe. How does each portrait characterize Poe as an artist within Gothic literature/Dark Romanticism? Cite specific evidence from the portraits to support your ideas.
2. After reading the letters from [Washington Irving](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-raven-by-edgar-allan-poe/sources/760) and [Nathaniel Hawthorne](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-raven-by-edgar-allan-poe/sources/761), describe their relationships to Poe. If you have read additional works by these authors, how do Poe’s themes and subjects compare/contrast with theirs? Do you see their influence in “The Raven”?
3. Closely examine the [Manet illustration](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-raven-by-edgar-allan-poe/sources/762) and the [1883 book cover](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-raven-by-edgar-allan-poe/sources/763). Which themes and ideas from “The Raven” do they capture? How do they depict the relationship between the poem’s speaker and the raven? How do they describe the setting? Any details that surprise you based on your own interpretation of the poem?
4. According to Poe’s essay, “[The Philosophy of Composition](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-raven-by-edgar-allan-poe/sources/764),” what were Poe’s primary considerations and motivations for writing “The Raven?” What questions does the essay raise for you as a reader of the poem? What does it tell us about the way poetry was discussed in Poe’s time? 
5. Read the two parodies of “The Raven”: “[The Parrot](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-raven-by-edgar-allan-poe/sources/766)” and “[The Dove](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-raven-by-edgar-allan-poe/sources/767).” These are only two of the many parodies that have been made of “The Raven.” What commentary do they provide on the original poem? What does the degree to which it has been parodied tell us about “The Raven”?
6. Examine the [1848 book review](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-raven-by-edgar-allan-poe/sources/765) from *The Southern Quarterly Review*. What is the author’s assessment of Poe and “The Raven”? With which points do you agree/disagree?
7. Read Poe’s poem, “[Lenore](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-raven-by-edgar-allan-poe/sources/768).” Compare the role of Lenore in “The Raven” with the subject of “Lenore.”
8. How does the [1956 political cartoon](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-raven-by-edgar-allan-poe/sources/769) use “The Raven” as a metaphor? What does “The Raven” represent?

Activity

Ask students to write a letter to the editor in response to either Poe’s essay, “[The Philosophy of Composition](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-raven-by-edgar-allan-poe/sources/764),” or the [1848 book review](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-raven-by-edgar-allan-poe/sources/765). Use the following questions to guide the letter writing:

* What, in your opinion, are the most compelling and/or troubling things about the poem?
* To what extent do you agree with the author?
* Where does he get it wrong?
* What ideas about “The Raven” would you like to have seen him address?
* What questions do you have after reading his piece?

Students can also stage this activity as a debate in which they take positions for and against the review in *The Southern Quarterly Review*.

Teaching Guide: Exploring “The Raven”

Resources

1. [Edgar Allan Poe Resources](http://aig.alumni.virginia.edu/raven/poe-resources/), The Raven Society, University of Virginia. 
2. [Edgar Allan Poe](http://www.eapoe.org/index.htm), The Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore. 
3. [Poe’s Life](http://www.poemuseum.org/life.php), Poe Museum. 

Overview

Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Raven” appeared in early 1845 in two publications: the *Evening Mirror* in January and the *American Review* (under the pseudonym “Quarles”) in February. Poe was already an established writer of poetry and prose as well as a literary critic. He wrote in the Gothic tradition (also known as Dark Romanticism), often reacting against the optimism of his transcendentalist contemporaries. With “The Raven,” he became a household name; the poem was praised, reprinted, and parodied internationally. It has become Poe’s most famous piece of writing and one of the most popular literary works of the period. With compelling musicality, “The Raven” explores the darker aspects of human existence by telling the story of a man mourning a lost love. In the poem, the narrator is visited in his grief by a raven whose repetitive refrain drives him towards madness. This primary source set includes portraits, illustration, correspondence, and commentaries that provide context for and different perspectives on the poem and its creator.

English

"The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe

raven-edgar-allen-poe_12_02dfb0a2afe299e1d5f1414f8241f084.jpg

Courtesy of The State Historical Society of Missouri via Missouri Hub.

Fitzpatrick, Daniel Robert, “And the Raven, Never Flitting, Still is Sitting, Still is Sitting Just Above My Chamber Door,” Digital Public Library of America, https://dp.la/item/02dfb0a2afe299e1d5f1414f8241f084.

A 1956 political cartoon that uses “The Raven” as a commentary on lobbyists and the U.S. Senate.

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Tips for Students

Item 12 of 12 in the Primary Source Set "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe