High School Resource

Poe’s Vocabulary in “The Bells”

For this activity, use a dictionary to look up the CAPITALIZED words and write a definition. The words are given in the poem’s format so students should try to understand the meaning of the word by applying it in context.

1. Hear the SLEDGES with the bells
2. In a sort of RUNIC rhyme
3. the MOLTEN-golden notes
4. a DITTY floats
5. a gush of EUPHONY
6. BRAZEN bells
7. they scream out their AFFRIGHT
8. in a mad EXPOSTULATION
9. a RESOLUTE endeavor
10. on the BOSOM of the PALPITATING air
11. solemn thought their MONODY compels
12. the MELANCHOLY meaning of the tone
13. they are GHOULS
14. a PAEAN from the bells
15. Keeping time as he KNELLS

Related NY State Academic Standards: ELA2.I.LR1D and ELA2.C.LR1D!

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