'Tis the Wind and Nothing More' By Edgar Allan Poe

EDGAR ALLAN POE (1809-1849) was an American writer, editor and literary critic. He is best known for his poetry and short stories, especially his tales of mystery and horror. His stories and poems often deal with the themes of death and loss, and have a dark, brooding atmosphere. 'The Raven' is one of Poet's most popular poems.

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered. weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-

While I nodded. nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

"Tis some visitor." I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door-

Only this and nothing more."

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December;

And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.

Eagerly I wished the morrow;-vainly I had sought to borrow

From my books surcease of sorrow-sorrow for the lost Lenore-

For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore-

Nameless here for evermore.

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing.

Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before,

But the silence was unbroken. and the stillness gave no token,

And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore?"

This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word. "Lenore!"

Merely this and nothing more.

Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,

Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.

"Surely." said l, "surely that is something at my window lattice;

Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore-

Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;-

the wind and nothing more!"

1.
Write True or False.
1. The incident narrated in the poem takes place on a bleak December night.
2. The narrator had forgotten all the stories he had read.
3. Lenore was the name of a rare and radiant maiden.
4. The narrator tells himself that he is dreaming. No one is really tapping at his door.
5. We don't know whether it was the wind or something or someone else who was tapping at the door.
2.
'While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping'
1. What was the narrator doing before he nearly fell asleep?
2. What did the narrator think when he heard the tapping on the door?
3.
'Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrow from my books surcease of sorrow
1. What had the narrator sought from his books?
2. What was the reason for the narrator's sorrow?
4.
Identify other examples of internal rhyme in the poem and write them in your notebook.
5.
Insert commas in the sentences wherever necessary.
1. I would like to shop for Shawls jackets and hand-crafted artefacts when I visit Kashmir.
2. Alexis stood on the beach which was quite dirty hoping to find a spot to sunbathe.
3. When you reach the blue signpost turn right and keep going straight.
4. Much to everyone's surprise janaki overcame her shyness and sang beautifully.
5. What is the fare for the journey and what about the hotel tariff?
6. Clearly it was Abha's mistake.
7. Sara works in a different department of the same office where Sam works.
8. Raghu shouted loudly and Tipu followed suit.
6.
Circle the determiners in these sentences.
1. And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
2. A knock on the door woke me up.
3. Could you please buy some milk for my cat?
4. The tenant had little money left after paying the rent.
5. I found my way to the new school without any problem.
6. Sheena does not have enough money in her purse.
7. Could you get my files from the office?
8. These mangoes are so delicious!
9. Both parties seemed reasonable and settled the matter quickly.

1 more answer(s) available.