The Raven and Textual Evidence
Title: Shadow of Irrationality
A) Paper Topic: Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” explores how self-inflicted isolation can lead to madness.
B) Thesis Statement (Be sure to include both the topic and comment portion of the statement): In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven”, Poe explores how self-inflicted isolation can lead to madness through the persona’s changing moods as he comes to terms with the full meaning and irrevocability of death.
C) Summary of Introductory Paragraph (How will you logically and coherently introduce the topic and thesis statement?): General statement: The negative psychological effects loosing someone can have on the living. The person who looses someone undergoes varying mood shifts and has a tendency to withdrawn from society. The person’s isolation can cause them to over think and loose touch with rationality. Poe explores this psychological phenomenon. Thesis statement.
D) First Comment to be Analyzed in a Supporting Paragraph(s): The narrator’s changing moods
1) Summary of Comment in relation to Topic: The poem begins with the narrator in a state of sorrow as he bemoans the loss of his beloved Lenore. He has retreated to his “chamber” and ceased contact with others.
a) Textual Evidence (Please quote according to proper MLA formatting): “From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore--/For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore--/Nameless here forevermore” (Poe 10-12). i) Analysis of Textual Evidence in Relation to Comment and the Overall Topic: The narrator finds himself trying to escape his sorrow due to the lost of his love Lenore by reading books of the occult. His sorrow is the first mood the narrator will experience in regards to Lenore’s passing. b) Textual Evidence (Please quote according to proper MLA formatting): “Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,…” (Poe 42). i)
A) Paper Topic: Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” explores how self-inflicted isolation can lead to madness.
B) Thesis Statement (Be sure to include both the topic and comment portion of the statement): In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven”, Poe explores how self-inflicted isolation can lead to madness through the persona’s changing moods as he comes to terms with the full meaning and irrevocability of death.
C) Summary of Introductory Paragraph (How will you logically and coherently introduce the topic and thesis statement?): General statement: The negative psychological effects loosing someone can have on the living. The person who looses someone undergoes varying mood shifts and has a tendency to withdrawn from society. The person’s isolation can cause them to over think and loose touch with rationality. Poe explores this psychological phenomenon. Thesis statement.
D) First Comment to be Analyzed in a Supporting Paragraph(s): The narrator’s changing moods
1) Summary of Comment in relation to Topic: The poem begins with the narrator in a state of sorrow as he bemoans the loss of his beloved Lenore. He has retreated to his “chamber” and ceased contact with others.
a) Textual Evidence (Please quote according to proper MLA formatting): “From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore--/For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore--/Nameless here forevermore” (Poe 10-12). i) Analysis of Textual Evidence in Relation to Comment and the Overall Topic: The narrator finds himself trying to escape his sorrow due to the lost of his love Lenore by reading books of the occult. His sorrow is the first mood the narrator will experience in regards to Lenore’s passing. b) Textual Evidence (Please quote according to proper MLA formatting): “Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,…” (Poe 42). i)