THE film
You are going to watch the film “The Raven” released in 2012 which is a fictionalized account of the last four days of Edgar Allan Poe.
Search the web and fill in the information in the file.
1. Describe the poster. What can you see in it? Pay attention to all the details. There are some hidden images.
2. Think about the colours. Why do you think they have been used in the poster? Think about symbolic meaning.
3. What does the poster tell you about the story in the film?
The poster
before watching the film
Speak
write
1. Why does the inspector find the crimes familiar?
2. How can Poe help solve the crimes?
3. What does the criminal do to keep Poe involved in the mystery?
The Trailer
Edgar Allan Poe is well known for having written mystery and horror tales. However, very few people know he wrote some of the most beautiful poems ever. Search the web and make a list of the titles of the most famous tales and poems he wrote.
while watching the film
write
The powerful influence of literature (or any type of fiction) in people’s lives.
What do you think he means by that?
Do you agree with him?
The murderer says...
“Life so much less satisfying than fiction”
Why does Poe tell the murderer that he is just a plagiarist?
Why does the murderer think himself as Poe’s masterpiece?
Plagiarism
What is plagiarism?
If you do not know the meaning of this word, look it up in the dictionary and copy the definition, trying to understand what it means.
According to the last scene of the movie, what is the main difference between the ending of the story presented in the film and the ending in some of Poe’s stories? (Think of “The Cask of Amontillado”)
Poe’s tales are inhabited by mad, cold-hearted people who murder and in some occasions get away with it.
after watching the film
write
Poe´s Poetry in The Raven.
Three poems are partially recited in the film. One of them is “The Raven” which you have already read and studied in class.
Now you can read the lines of two other famous poems by Poe recited in the film. Search the web and find the title of these two other poems.
….
The angels, not half so happy in heaven,
Went envying her and me-
Yes!- that was the reason (as all men know,
In this kingdom by the sea)
That the wind came out of the cloud by night,
Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.
But our love it was stronger by far than the love
Of those who were older than we-
Of many far wiser than we-
And neither the angels in heaven above,
Nor the demons down under the sea,
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.
0:18:21
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Take this kiss upon thy brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow —
You are not wrong, to deem
That my days have been a dream;
…
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.
1:41:28
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