VocabularyGroup48-5

Vocabulary Words 1-5: Jack C.

obeisance--- respect for someone

The Raven in the story isn't being very respectful; he's just doing what he wants.

mien--- air or bearing especially as expressive of attitude or personality

The man in the story thinks that the Raven thinks that it is better than him, having an attitude of a lord/lady.

beguiling--- charming or tricking

The Raven is tricking him from shedding his sad face, into one that is in a happier state.

grave--- giving cause for alarm/concern

The Raven has "clothing" that gives a reason for alarm.

decorum--- behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety

This sentence means that the Raven has sternly styled good taste in "clothing".

Michael Smith, 6-10

Craven - Cowardly, lacking in courage, He describes the shortness and lack of pride in the raven's crest, but proceeds to describe him as "no craven." (Or not a coward)

Marveled- To become filled with wonder or astonishment. Featured in line number forty-nine, it describes the narrator's astonishment. A //talking// bird? Say it ain't so!

Placid- Not easily upset, or exited. (55) The term placid is used in describing a bust of Pallas (Athena/Minerva for the mythologically inclined.) She seems rather drab, despite the //talking// bird upon her head.

aptly- exactly suitable. (61) He is shocked by the incredibly well-put reply of the Raven to his question in the last stanza. (The reply, of course, being Nevermore.)

stock- goods kept on the premises, usually akin to a business. (62) The word is used to explain that the word nevermore is all the raven has in his head (as it is all he says,) -Don't look now, but a synonym of stock is just one word away!

Charles Bo. 11-14 Dirges - A mournful song or poem. If translated into a more modern english, line 65, with the use of the word "dirges", would be "his sad poem of hope is sad burden that he wears".

Melancholy - A feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious reason. For the "translation of melancholy" see Dirges.

Fancy - 1. a feeling 2. Imagination or imagine. If line 67 were to be translated it would read: The raven still charmed my sad feeling int happiness. If line 70 were to be translated it would read: I am imagining this bird from a long time ago.

Wheeled - to push or pull If line 68 were to be translated it would read: Straight I pushed the cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door.