Question

guided practice
read the lines of verse.
from \the raven\ by edgar allan poe
and the lamp - light oer him streaming throws his shadow
on the floor;
and my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on
the floor
shall be lifted—nevermore!
shadows of the imagination ii
what is the speaker saying in these lines?
a. the raven has killed the speaker, who is lying on the floor.
b. the speaker’s soul has been lifted by the raven’s visit, and he is happy again.
c. the speaker is trying to throw the raven out of his room but cannot lift him.
d. the raven’s shadow has permanently darkened the speaker’s soul.

Explanation:

The lines state the speaker's soul is trapped under the raven's shadow "nevermore," meaning his despair and darkness are permanent. Options A, B, and C contradict the text: the speaker is not dead, his soul is not lifted to happiness, and he is not trying to remove the raven.

Answer:

D. The raven's shadow has permanently darkened the speaker's soul.