How does Poe use the literary devices of alliteration and rhyme throughout the poem? Name three ways in which each of these devices strengthen the narrative itself.

Question

This question is only for the poem from “ The Raven ” by Edger Allan Poe.

Answer 1

Hi Hanna,

I see that you posted this a few days ago. In case you are still stuck on the answer or in the event that this answer can help another student, I am posting some information below.

Alliteration is the repetition of initial (beginning) consonant sounds in words. Let's look at the first stanza of "The Raven" and see if we can find examples:

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

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—

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

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

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

Only this and nothing more.”

In examining rhyme, it is useful to look not only at the rhyming words but at the patterns in the lines that rhyme. Again, let's look at the first stanza.

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

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—

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

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

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

Only this and nothing more.”

I noticed that in this six-line stanza lines 2, 4, 5, and 6 rhyme. Is that a pattern that repeats in every stanza? Explore the other stanzas, underlining or highlighting rhyming and alliteration.

When you answer the question, "How does Poe use the literary devices of alliteration and rhyme throughout the poem," you should start by giving examples. Note several places whee alliteration is used. Note the rhyme scheme and if there is a pattern to it throughout the poem.

The second question, "Name three ways each of these devices strengthens the narrative itself," is a little trickier but easy enough once you look for evidence in the poem. Since narrative is just another word for story, the question is asking how the initial and final sounds of words improves the story. By now you have noticed that there is a lot of repetition of both initial sounds and final rhyming sounds in the poem. Consider some of the following questions to help guide you as you write your own answer: What purposes do you think the repetition serves? Does it tie elements of the story together? Do the repeated words draw your attention to the important details of the story? Do the rhyming and alliteration contribute to the poem's rhythm? If so, how does that affect the way you perceive the story?