Question

1. how do the allusions, or references, made to pallas (athena) and pluto (hades) inform the character of the raven?

a. these allusions make the raven seem otherworldly and informs his symbolic nature as a possible messenger from the afterlife.
b. these allusions imply that the raven is far more powerful than it at first seems and it is there to cast judgement on the speaker.
c. these allusions contribute to the ravens characterization as the speakers punishment, as classical gods were often seen as cruel and petty.
d. these allusions remind the reader that the speaker is mentally unbalanced and mistaking a raven for a god.

1. which of the following quotes best embodies how the imagery develops the supernatural mood of the poem?

a. \ah, distinctly i remember it was in the bleak december\ (line 7)
b. \back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning, / soon again i heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.\ (lines 31 - 32)
c.
ot the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he; / but, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door — \ (lines 39 - 40)
d. \and the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting / on the pallid bust of pallas just above my chamber door; / and his eyes have all the seeming of a demons that is dreaming, / and the lamp - light oer him streaming throws his shadow on the floor (lines 103 - 106).\

Explanation:

• Question 5: Allusions to Pallas (Athena, a Greek goddess) and Pluto (Hades, the god of the underworld) in literature often carry connotations of the divine and the afterlife. In the context of the raven's characterization, these references are likely used to give the raven an otherworldly quality. Option A aligns with this as it suggests the raven could be a messenger from the afterlife (using the allusions to gods associated with the divine and the underworld to imply an otherworldly nature). Option B about the raven casting judgment is not directly supported by the typical symbolic meanings of these gods in this context. Option C's idea of the raven as the speaker's punishment through classical - god parallels is a stretch. Option D misinterprets the use of allusions (it's more about the raven's characterization than the speaker's mental state in terms of mistaking a raven for a god).
• Question 6: The supernatural mood is developed through imagery that combines elements of the unnatural and the eerie. Option D has the raven “never flitting, still is sitting” (an un - raven - like, almost statue - like quality) on the “pallid bust of Pallas” (the pale bust adds to the spooky atmosphere) and the raven's eyes having “the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming” with the lamp - light casting a shadow. This combination of static, otherworldly (bust of a goddess), and demon - like imagery creates a strong supernatural mood. Option A just sets a time (“bleak December”) which is more of a general mood - setting (gloomy) but not specifically supernatural. Option B is about the speaker's internal state (“soul... burning”) and a sound (tapping), which is more suspenseful than supernatural. Option C describes the raven's mien (appearance) as lordly or ladylike, which is more about its demeanor than creating a supernatural mood.

Answer:

1. A. These allusions make the raven seem otherworldly and informs his symbolic nature as a possible messenger from the afterlife.
2. D. "And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting / On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door; / And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming, / And the lamp - light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor (Lines 103 - 106)."