General Gothic Lit
Poe Facts
The Raven Vocab
The Black Cat Vocab
Misc.
100

List ONE physical setting that is common in gothic lit.

Haunted castles, isolated mansions, ancient ruins, underground spaces, desolate landscapes, mysterious cities.

100

What city did Edgar Allan Poe die in?

Baltimore, Maryland

100

What word does the Raven repeat over and over throughout the poem?

Nevermore!!!

100
What is the name of the narrator's black cat in the story?

Pluto 

100

Where did the name "gothic" come from when naming this genre?

From the architecture common in the romantic period. Buildings featured large towers and gargoyle creatures. These were the main settings for gothic lit.

200

What is the meaning of the word Macabre?

disturbing, horrifying, or involving / depicting death

200

Who did Poe marry? 

His cousin Virginia who was only 13 when they were married.

200

What is the name of the narrators lost love in the poem?

Lenore

200
Define the word "docility"

Friendly, easy going, obedient

200
How did the narrator kill his wife in the black cat?

He drove an axe through her head and burried her behind a wall.

300

List one theme category that often inspired gothic lit. writings.

The effects of madness and obsession, the duality of human nature, the duality of guilt and redemption, gender and sexuality. 

300

Why was "The Murder in the Rue Morgue" so profound to literature?

It was the first "modern" detective story and inspired the character Sherlock Holmes.

300

Why does the narrator claim that the bird came from "Night's Plutonian Shore"? 

Pluto is the Roman god of the underworld so the narrator is claiming that the bird has come from the underworld.
300

What does the word "maltreat" mean as used in this sentence.

"For Pluto, however, I still retained sufficient  regard to restrain me from maltreating him"

To treat in a rough or cruel way. To abuse

300

Who was the character Lenore meant to represent in Poe's real life?

His wife / cousin Virginia

400

Describe the psychological antagonist that is often featured in gothic literature.

A manifestation of the protagonist's inner fears or anxieties. They may take the form of hallucinations, or delusions, blurring the line between reality and madness.

400

How much Money did Poe make when he publish the poem "The Raven?"

$15 dollars /:

400

What does a Seraph mean as used in the poem?

A celestial being in the highest order of heaven.

400

The narrator claims he was victim to "fiend intemperance." What does this mean?

This was a term to describe alcohol abuse.

400
What was Poe trying to portray in his writings most often? (Hint: Think back to the types of Author's purpose)

Poe portrayed mental health and trauma through his writing by creating characters that are going mad, have gone mad, or are going through a traumatic experience

500

What centuries did gothic literature become popular? 

Late 18th century to early 19th century. (1750s-1850s)
500

What was the name that Poe used to publish some of his first stories and poems? 

The Bostonian

500
What did the bust of Pallas represent in the poem?

The greek goddess of wisdom, Athena. The Raven sitting upon the bust of Pallas was meant to mean that the Raven was all knowing.

500

The narrator says he is overcome by an emotion that causes him to want to do bad things. What does he call this emotion? 

Perverseness

500

How many stanzas are in the poem "The Raven"?

18