Ideal for units on surreal poetry and the fantasy-horror genre (especially during fall and Halloween), this poem analysis worksheet helps high schoolers interpret “The Cataleptic” by Charles Layng, a deeply psychological piece addressing the inevitability of death with subtle elements of dark comedy. An answer key is included.

By engaging with this poetry activity, students will:

• Articulate the greater significance of the poem’s title.
• Conduct research on Saint Swithin’s Night to explain its relevance to the poem.
• Infer the intended effect of oxymoronic language (e.g., “gleaming bleakly”).
• Infer the intended effect of repetition in context (e.g., “lump by lump” and “dimmer, dimmer”).
• Identify techniques used to generate a surreal atmosphere in the first stanza.
• Identify examples of subtly dark comedy.
• Reflect on the symbolism associated with a flame.
• Articulate the irony associated with imagery (e.g., the tombstone with eyes of flame).
• Apply knowledge of literary devices (e.g., epiphany, metaphor, and more).
• Contrast the style of one stanza with that of preceding stanzas.
• Consider themes in context.
• Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence.