Whitman described Henry Wadsworth Longfellow as the “universal poet of young people” (Kunitz 10). He is the “poet of the sympathetic gestures” whose poetry was a “universal pastime and delight” (Kinsella 256). During the early 1800s, the literary movement Romanticism became popular in literature. It emphasized passion over reason, imagination over logic, human feelings and individual freedom. Economic and social reform were emphasized and writers, like Longfellow, would base their writings off of
Mattessich 1 John M. Mattessich Mr. Gentry A.P. English Lit 7 April 2014 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow- A monumental cultural figure of America’s nineteenth century Through years of research and studies of various American literature and poetry only one name comes to mind. That of course, is Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, one of the most widely known and best-loved American poets of his time. Longfellow has not only influenced generations of readers, his writings have had a significant impact on my life
Teacher, Lover, Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is not dead. Certainly, he comes alive in every one of his pieces. Longfellow was never just an average person. He appreciated the arts ever since a young age and continued to attract towards them. He definitely led most other writers in the Romanticism Era. His pieces were considered the best of that time. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, born in 1807, is one of the most renowned authors of the Romanticism Era, with one of his most famous works being “A
Introduction In this lesson, we explore the history, construction, and restoration of the Longfellow Bridge that connects the cities of Boston, Massachusetts and Cambridge, Massachusetts across the Charles River. Named for a Love Poem I stood on the bridge at midnight, As the clocks were striking the hour, And the moon rose o’er the city, Behind the dark church-tower. These lines, in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s 1845 famous poem The Bridge, describe a moment of his frequent journey across the
proclaimed Henry Wadsworth Longfellow lacked the emotional tragedy and stress to become a successful poet and writer, he proved them wrong with many of his works, such as “The Song of Hiawatha” and “A Psalm of Life.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, born in Portland, Maine (“Henry”) on February 27, 1807(“Longfellow, Henry”), grew up not wealthy, but well off. Both sides of the family consisted of several American Revolution war heroes and political leaders, making the Longfellow name well respected. His
including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. “One of the real American Poets of yesterday” (Montiero, Preface), Longfellow elaborates on man’s perpetual struggle with life and nature in his poetry. In “A Psalm of Life,” “The Village Blacksmith,” and “The Rainy Day,” Longfellow explores many facets of man’s unyielding will. Born into a prominent family on February 27, 1807, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow grew up in the bustling town of Portland, Maine. His parents Stephen and Zilpah Longfellow provided a strong, but
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was the most popular American Poet in the 19th Century and the best at writing books and famous for one of his poems that is named after him. Henry Longfellow was the best poet in the 19th Century for writing some of the best poems and books that was heard in almost every literate house in the United States. Henry wrote “Paul Revere’s Ride” that became a national favorite. When Henry was little and in school he attended a private school called Portland Academy. Henry graduated
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow As one of the Fireside Poets, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow experienced a busy and long life. He did not always just write poems, he was a teacher and even became a great influence to his students and poets in the future. He taught and wrote for many years until retiring and becoming a full time poet later on in his life. Longfellow was a father to six children and married twice throughout his life. While Longfellow was known for his poetry in the nineteenth century, he inspired
Herny Wadsowrth Longfellow is known for creating a poem known as the “Paul Revere’s Ride,” but the poem may not be accurate to what actually happened. Paul Revere is known for warning Lexington of the British coming, so he is considered a hero to some. Longfellow tells of events on the night of April eighteenth, 1775 differently than what actually happened. The poem is not a credible source of information because Revere does not volunteer to watch for the British, the British are seen as cowards
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was an influential literary figure during the nineteenth century; his works inspired people to think about the world and their own lives differently, but what prompted him to write his poems? How does his life reflect off of his poems? Longfellow’s philosophy begs the question how and why he wrote what he did and what deeper meanings lie behind his poems. His interest to pursue writing, had been encouraged by various events and led to the publishing of numerous essays,
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born on February 27, 1807 in Portland, Maine to the mother Zilpah Wadsworth and the father Stephen Longfellow who was a politician and a lawyer. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was an influential American poet, translator (He was the first American poet to translate Dante Alighieri's epic poem The Divine Comedy) and a professor at the Harvard University. One of Longfellow's most pretentious work is Evangeline: A tale of Acadie, an epic poem which follows the Acadian girl
Keats and Longfellow Time is endlessly flowing by and its unwanted yet pending arrival of death is noted in the two poems “When I Have Fears,” by John Keats and “Mezzo Cammin,” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Keats speaks with no energy; only an elegiac tone of euphoric sounds wondering if his life ends early with his never attained fame. He mentions never finding a “fair creature” (9) of his own, only experiencing unrequited love and feeling a deep loss of youth’s passion. Though melancholy, “Mezzo
than others. Based on their poems, Keats and Longfellow seem to be these types of people. Sonnets, “When I have Fears that I May Cease to Be” (Keats) and “Mezzo Cammin” (Longfellow) both show different ways in which the idea can be approached and accepted. While Keats creates an in-the-end-it-doesn’t- even-matter feeling, Longfellow’s tone makes the idea of looming death more manageable The tone of Keats's poem is much different than that of Longfellow. Keats develops his ideas through statements
with a manly heart.” This is a saying Longfellow read in Germany where his wife died. The words gave him hope for the future. It inspired him to want to write a series of psalms. The first one, “A Psalm of Life” written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, is an uplifting poem that compels us to feel hope for the future. After reading it the first time it had a powerful effect on me. Surprisingly, he wrote this poem few months after his first wife died. Longfellow took his wife’s death and interpreted
from his sermons and his mother’s encouragement for E.E. to keep a diary starting at age five started to shape his craft at an early age (Revisited 11). Rebecca aspired for her son to be the next Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (the Cummings family lived across the street from the Longfellow home before E.E. was born) (Dreams 19). Edward Estlin was also a cubist painter in addition to being a poet. During World War I, E.E. Cummings was an ambulance driver in France and was imprisoned under the pretense
attempt was prominent in was literature. Two poets specifically sought to find a national mythology by examining what American's value and why it is necessary to pass it on through tradition. The poems by John Greenleaf Whittier and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow are a call for preserving the roots found in the land of America and in the heart of an American. Longfellow's "Hiawatha" presents the image of an Indian chant about the traditions, history and beauty inherent in nature. The narrator explains
contribution of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is largely neglected. Longfellow's portrayal of the American Adam is set apart in that he does not praise this character as a role model for others. The concept of the American Adam is seen in a different light through the depiction of Basil in the narrative poem Evangeline. Evangeline is the tale of an Acadian woman's journey to find her lost lover after her people are exiled from their native Nova Scotia. Longfellow describes the state
began in 1800. During this time, short stories and poetry were read and written frequently. This period was known as the Romantic Period. This period birthed the Fireside Poets, which included William Cullen Bryant and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Both Bryant and Longfellow express three common themes relating to death. The themes that they share are life goes on after death, death is inescapable, and live a meaningful life while here. After death, life does cannot be put on hold. Life will continue
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow refined American Literature by reminding Americans of their roots and in the process became an American icon himself. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a world-renowned poet primarily known for his poem “The Courtship of Miles Standish,” lived through many depressing situations. Having his wives and one of his children pass away were a few of the causes that influenced Henry to write. A majority of the time Henry wrote of historical events, culture, and romance. There were a
his talent, and they helped pay his way to Bowdoin College. Hawthorne and his classmates became the most prominent people in America at that time. He had many strong ties with important people from attending Bowdoin, such as: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Franklin Pierce. In 1828, his first novel, Fanshawe was anonymously published at his own expense. In 1842, he befriended Transcendentalists Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Bronson Alcott, and married Sophia Peabody, an active