The Jewish Cemetery By Henry Longfellow Figurative Language

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Henry Longfellow’s The Jewish Cemetery at Newport encompasses the main idea of death, in regard to those of Jewish heritage. In making his points, he conveys his perspective of the religious persecution against the Jewish community. He also conveys to his audience on the outlook of death of mourners and the attitude of endurance that the Jews consistently maintained. In painting the picture of the persecuted group, Longfellow utilizes figurative language, devices, and intricate vocabulary. Therefore, conveying a message in his poem. In the middle of the poem, Longfellow mentions Christianity being responsible for persecuting the Jewish people. For example, he says “What burst of Christian hate…persecution, merciless, and blind” (lines 31-32). …show more content…

He quotes them stating, “Blessed be God for he created Death!…and the Death is at rest and peace…And giveth Life that nevermore shall cease” (Lines17-20). The audience can easily decipher through this quote that the mourners did not harbor anger or an attitude of bitterness. Rather, the mourners obtain an attitude of acceptance. The tone in this quote remains the same as it does throughout the poem. Therefore, the audience can tell that the mourners’ perspective of death was not positive, but at the very same circumstance, they understood it was something out of their control, in which they transferred their emotions to God by praising Him (Line …show more content…

For example, “While underneath these leafy tents…mysterious Exodus of Death” (line 7-8). It appears that Longfellow wanted to highlight the persecution’s significance to the community, despite it being “mysterious” or perhaps forgotten. Another example he utilized, “Seems like the tablets of the Law, thrown down” (line11). He capitalizes law, without specifying the exact laws he was referring to. However, by alluding to Moses, it could be implied that he referenced the Ten Commandments, which is very important within the Jewish

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