VocabularyGroup58-1

= An Exploration of "The Raven" =

Andrew Peterson
ominous (70) definition of word: adj. 1. Giving the worrying impression that something bad is going to happen

Sentence in story: //Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this **ominous** bird of yore —//

Meaning of word in story: The narrator is amused by the bird, but is aware that this bird predicts a dark forecast.

divining (75) definition of word: form of divine - verb 1. Discover (something ) by guesswork or intuition 2. Have super nature or magical insight into (future events)

Sentence in story: //This and more I sat **divining**, with my head at ease reclining//

Meaning of word in story: The narrator is sitting comfortably in a chair, and attempting to guess what the Raven wants and why it has come to him.

gloated (76) definition of word: form of gloat - verb 1. Contemplate or dwell on one's success or another's misfortune with malignant pleasure

Sentence in story: //On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamp-light **gloated** o'er,//

Meaning of word in story: The lamp's light illuminates the high-quality chair, which was probably very expensive due to its velvet lining. This might hint that the narrator is well-off.

tufted (80) definition of word: adj. 1. Having or growing a tuft or tufts

tuft- noun - a bunch of something verb - provide (something) with a tuft or tufts

Sentence in story: //Swung by seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the **tufted** floor.//

Meaning of word in story: If the previous line is read in conjunction with this one, the reader can see that the narrator believes that he is smelling the scent of Lenore, which is being "dispersed by seraphim, or angels." Tufted is probably used in this case to describe a carpeted floor, where "the angels walked in order to deliver the scent."

wretch (81) definition of word: n. 1. An unfortunate or unhappy person 2. A despicable or contemptible person

Sentence in story: //"**Wretch**," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee — by these angels he hath sent thee// Meaning of word in story: The narrator has gone crazy, calling himself a wretch, or despicable person due to his sorrow over the loss of Lenore.

respite (82) definition of word: n. 1. A short period of rest or relief from something difficult 2. A short delay permitted before an unpleasant obligation or punishment is carried out

Sentence in story: //**Respite** — **respite** and nepenthe, from thy memories of Lenore;//

Meaning of word in story: The narrator wants to forget Lenore and be free for sometime from sorrow before it takes its eventual toll on him.

quaff (83) definition of word: verb 1. drink (something esp. alcohol) heartily

Sentence in story: //**Quaff**, oh **quaff** this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!"//

Meaning of word in story: He wants to drink away his sorrow and forget his past, especially Lenore.

desolate (87) definition of word: adj 1. bleak and empty, very unhappy

Sentence in story: //**Desolate** yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted —//

Meaning of word in story: The narrator is wondering why the Raven continues to croak "Nevermore," on and on, even when it appears so unhappy.

undaunted (87) definition of word: adj. 1. not discouraged by difficulty or danger

Sentence in story: //Desolate yet all **undaunted**, on this desert land enchanted —//

Meaning of word in story: Yet, even though it appears unhappy to the narrator, the Raven is not discouraged at all and continues to speak.

laden (93) definition of word: adj. 1. heavily loaded or weighed down

Sentence in story: //Tell this soul with sorrow **laden** if, within the distant Aidenn,//

Meaning of word in story: The word laden is used to describe how the narrator is burdened with sorrow for his loss.

sainted (94) definition of word: adj. 1. very good or kind, like a saint

Sentence in story: //It shall clasp a **sainted** maiden whom the angels name Lenore —//

Meaning of word in story: Sainted is used in this sentence to describe how highly the narrator thinks of Lenore and how much he loves her. He is saying that she was kind and pleasant like a saint, and the angels, very noble beings, named her Lenore.

fiend (97) definition of word: n. 1. an evil spirit, a very wicked or cruel person

Sentence in story: //"Be that word our sign of parting, bird or **fiend**!" I shrieked, upstarting —//

Meaning of word in story: The narrator is not very happy with the responses he is receiving from the Raven, and wants the bird to leave, calling it an evil spirit and saying that the bird has said a lie.

plume (99) definition of word: n. 1. a long, soft feather or group of feathers

Sentence in story: //Leave no black **plume** as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!//

Meaning of word in story: Plume is describing a feather from the Raven in this case and the narrator says that when the bird leaves it should make sure not to leave a feather. This feather would remind the man of the "lie" that the bird spoke.

pallid (104) definition of word: adj. 1. pale, especially because of bad health

Sentence in story: //On the **pallid** bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;//

Meaning of word in story: Pallid is describing the color of the bust above the narrator's door which is probably very pale due to it being made in a lighter color, like yellow or white.