Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: The Fireside Poet If we could read the secret history of our enemies we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility. If we could read the secret history of our enemies we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility. In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity. In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity. Look not mournfully into the past, it comes not back again. Wisely improve the present, it is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future without fear and with a manly heart. Look not mournfully into the past, it comes not back again. Wisely improve the present, it is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future without fear and with a manly heart. Men of genius are often dull and inert in society; as the blazing meteor, when it descends to earth, is only a stone. Men of genius are often dull and inert in society; as the blazing meteor, when it descends to earth, is only a stone.

Promising Start Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born in Portland, Maine—then still part of Massachusetts— on February 27, 1807, the second son in a family of eight children. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born in Portland, Maine—then still part of Massachusetts— on February 27, 1807, the second son in a family of eight children. His mother, Zilpah Wadsworth, was the daughter of a Revolutionary War hero. His father, Stephen Longfellow, was a prominent Portland lawyer and later a member of Congress. His mother, Zilpah Wadsworth, was the daughter of a Revolutionary War hero. His father, Stephen Longfellow, was a prominent Portland lawyer and later a member of Congress. Henry was a dreamy boy who loved to read. He heard sailors speaking Spanish, French and German in the Portland streets and liked stories set in foreign places: The Arabian Nights, Robinson Crusoe, and the plays of Shakespeare. Henry was a dreamy boy who loved to read. He heard sailors speaking Spanish, French and German in the Portland streets and liked stories set in foreign places: The Arabian Nights, Robinson Crusoe, and the plays of Shakespeare.

A Tragedy After graduating from Bowdoin College, Longfellow studied modern languages in Europe for three years, then returned to Bowdoin to teach them. After graduating from Bowdoin College, Longfellow studied modern languages in Europe for three years, then returned to Bowdoin to teach them. In 1831 he married Mary Storer Potter of Portland, a former classmate, and soon published his first book, a description of his travels called Outre Mer ("Overseas"). In 1831 he married Mary Storer Potter of Portland, a former classmate, and soon published his first book, a description of his travels called Outre Mer ("Overseas"). Longfellow's life was shaken when his wife died during a miscarriage in Longfellow's life was shaken when his wife died during a miscarriage in The young teacher spent a grief- stricken year in Germany and Switzerland. The young teacher spent a grief- stricken year in Germany and Switzerland.

New Beginnings Longfellow took a position at Harvard in Three years later, at the age of 32, he published his first collection of poems, Voices of the Night, followed in 1841 by Ballads and Other Poems. Longfellow took a position at Harvard in Three years later, at the age of 32, he published his first collection of poems, Voices of the Night, followed in 1841 by Ballads and Other Poems. Many of these poems ("A Psalm of Life," for example) showed people triumphing over adversity, and in a struggling young nation that theme was inspiring. Many of these poems ("A Psalm of Life," for example) showed people triumphing over adversity, and in a struggling young nation that theme was inspiring. Both books were very popular, but Longfellow's growing duties as a professor left him little time to write more. In addition, Frances Appleton, a young woman from Boston, had refused his proposal of marriage. Both books were very popular, but Longfellow's growing duties as a professor left him little time to write more. In addition, Frances Appleton, a young woman from Boston, had refused his proposal of marriage.

Happy Frances finally accepted his proposal the following spring, ushering in the happiest 18 years of Longfellow's life. The couple had six children, five of whom lived to adulthood, and the marriage gave him new confidence. Frances finally accepted his proposal the following spring, ushering in the happiest 18 years of Longfellow's life. The couple had six children, five of whom lived to adulthood, and the marriage gave him new confidence. In 1847, he published Evangeline, a book-length poem about what would now be called "ethnic cleansing." The poem takes place as the British drive the French from Nova Scotia, and two lovers are parted, only to find each other years later when the man is about to die. In 1847, he published Evangeline, a book-length poem about what would now be called "ethnic cleansing." The poem takes place as the British drive the French from Nova Scotia, and two lovers are parted, only to find each other years later when the man is about to die.

Midnight Rider In 1854, Longfellow decided to quit teaching to devote all his time to poetry. He published Hiawatha, a long poem about Native American life, and The Courtship of Miles Standish and Other Poems. In 1854, Longfellow decided to quit teaching to devote all his time to poetry. He published Hiawatha, a long poem about Native American life, and The Courtship of Miles Standish and Other Poems. Both books were immensely successful, but Longfellow was now preoccupied with national events. With the country moving towards civil war, he wrote "Paul Revere's Ride," a call for courage in the coming conflict. Both books were immensely successful, but Longfellow was now preoccupied with national events. With the country moving towards civil war, he wrote "Paul Revere's Ride," a call for courage in the coming conflict.

Divine Comedy A few months after the war began in 1861, Frances Longfellow was sealing an envelope with wax when her dress caught fire. Despite her husband's desperate attempts to save her, she died the next day. A few months after the war began in 1861, Frances Longfellow was sealing an envelope with wax when her dress caught fire. Despite her husband's desperate attempts to save her, she died the next day. Profoundly saddened, Longfellow published nothing for the next two years. He found comfort in his family and in reading Dante's Divine Comedy. (Later he produced its first American translation.) Profoundly saddened, Longfellow published nothing for the next two years. He found comfort in his family and in reading Dante's Divine Comedy. (Later he produced its first American translation.) Tales of a Wayside Inn, largely written before his wife's death, was published in Tales of a Wayside Inn, largely written before his wife's death, was published in 1863.

America’s Poet… When the Civil War ended in 1865, the poet was 58. His most important work was finished, but his fame kept growing. When the Civil War ended in 1865, the poet was 58. His most important work was finished, but his fame kept growing. In London alone, 24 different companies were publishing his work. His poems were popular throughout the English-speaking world, and they were widely translated, making him the most famous American of his day. In London alone, 24 different companies were publishing his work. His poems were popular throughout the English-speaking world, and they were widely translated, making him the most famous American of his day. His admirers included Lincoln, Dickens, and Baudelaire. His admirers included Lincoln, Dickens, and Baudelaire.

“ROCK STAR” From 1866 to 1880, Longfellow published seven more books of poetry, and his seventy-fifth birthday in 1882 was celebrated across the country. Died on March 24, 1882 From 1866 to 1880, Longfellow published seven more books of poetry, and his seventy-fifth birthday in 1882 was celebrated across the country. Died on March 24, 1882 When Walt Whitman heard of the poet's death, he wrote that, while Longfellow's work "brings nothing offensive or new, does not deal hard blows," he was the sort of bard most needed in a materialistic age: "He comes as the poet of melancholy, courtesy, deference—poet of all sympathetic gentleness—and universal poet of women and young people. I should have to think long if I were ask'd to name the man who has done more and in more valuable directions, for America." When Walt Whitman heard of the poet's death, he wrote that, while Longfellow's work "brings nothing offensive or new, does not deal hard blows," he was the sort of bard most needed in a materialistic age: "He comes as the poet of melancholy, courtesy, deference—poet of all sympathetic gentleness—and universal poet of women and young people. I should have to think long if I were ask'd to name the man who has done more and in more valuable directions, for America."

Interesting... Henry’s father wanted him to be a lawyer; however, Henry felt otherwise. Being a trustee at Bowdoin College, it is quite possible his father secured him his professorship. Henry’s father wanted him to be a lawyer; however, Henry felt otherwise. Being a trustee at Bowdoin College, it is quite possible his father secured him his professorship. Edgar Allen Poe once accused Longfellow of plagiarism. Edgar Allen Poe once accused Longfellow of plagiarism. Knew 10 languages Knew 10 languages Suffered a suicidal depression after the death of his first wife. Suffered a suicidal depression after the death of his first wife. His Bowdoin classmate, Nathaniel Hawthorne, was a life-long friend. His Bowdoin classmate, Nathaniel Hawthorne, was a life-long friend. A great influence on artistic and popular culture, Longfellow had everything from schools to cigars to board games named after him. A great influence on artistic and popular culture, Longfellow had everything from schools to cigars to board games named after him. In the 1870s, schoolchildren celebrated his birthday as if it were a national holiday. In the 1870s, schoolchildren celebrated his birthday as if it were a national holiday. Some of his lines and phrases - "A boy's will is the wind's will," "Ships that pass in the night," "Footprints on the sands of time" - are so well known that they have entered the American language. Today they are often quoted without the speaker even knowing Longfellow penned the words. Some of his lines and phrases - "A boy's will is the wind's will," "Ships that pass in the night," "Footprints on the sands of time" - are so well known that they have entered the American language. Today they are often quoted without the speaker even knowing Longfellow penned the words.

RIDE ON Journal #5 (150 word minimum) Journal #5 (150 word minimum) We live in a world obsessed with celebrities: much as Longfellow’s world was, except in his time, writers and revolutionaries were the famous. Do you feel that knowing a certain celebrity’s background and personal life takes away from their craft’s effect on you? Why or why not? Be thoreau in your explanation. We live in a world obsessed with celebrities: much as Longfellow’s world was, except in his time, writers and revolutionaries were the famous. Do you feel that knowing a certain celebrity’s background and personal life takes away from their craft’s effect on you? Why or why not? Be thoreau in your explanation.

“Paul Revere's Ride” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Background Information One of Longfellow’s most famous poems One of Longfellow’s most famous poems Made Paul Revere, a relatively minor figure from the Revolutionary War, a national hero Made Paul Revere, a relatively minor figure from the Revolutionary War, a national hero Paul Revere was a blacksmith and devoted patriot who was a part of the Boston Tea Party and later, The Boston Massacre, which he in part created Paul Revere was a blacksmith and devoted patriot who was a part of the Boston Tea Party and later, The Boston Massacre, which he in part created Had 8 children with his first wife and 8 more with his second Had 8 children with his first wife and 8 more with his second Served with the poet's maternal grandfather, Peleg Wadsworth, in the failed Penobscot expedition. Served with the poet's maternal grandfather, Peleg Wadsworth, in the failed Penobscot expedition. The basic premise of the poem is historically accurate, but Revere’s role is exaggerated The basic premise of the poem is historically accurate, but Revere’s role is exaggerated Revere was not the only rider that night, nor did he make it all the way to Concord, but was captured and then let go (without his horse) in Lexington, where he had stopped to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock of the impending attack. Revere was not the only rider that night, nor did he make it all the way to Concord, but was captured and then let go (without his horse) in Lexington, where he had stopped to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock of the impending attack.

“Paul Revere's Ride” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Background Information Longfellow's intention was not to write a history; it was to create a national hero and he was successful at doing so Longfellow's intention was not to write a history; it was to create a national hero and he was successful at doing so Paul Revere served as a symbol of our nation’s noble past Paul Revere served as a symbol of our nation’s noble past Longfellow wrote the poem to inspire a country on the verge of Civil War Longfellow wrote the poem to inspire a country on the verge of Civil War

Joseph Campbell’s “Stages of the Hero” The Call to Adventure: The Hero begins the adventure in some way or another The Call to Adventure: The Hero begins the adventure in some way or another Options: Options: A) Lured B) Forced C) Volunteers

Joseph Campbell’s “Stages of the Hero” Tests/Obstacles to Overcome: The Hero must go through a series of tests, ordeals, or obstacles during the adventure. Tests/Obstacles to Overcome: The Hero must go through a series of tests, ordeals, or obstacles during the adventure. Options: Options: A) Monster/Enemy Battle B) Rescue C) Journey of Peril D) Puzzle/Riddle E) Death/Descent into Underworld (death of innocence)

Joseph Campbell’s “Stages of the Hero” The Return/Reward: The last part is a return home or a re-emergence into the living world by the hero. The hero usually gains a reward of some type either before returning or upon his return. The Return/Reward: The last part is a return home or a re-emergence into the living world by the hero. The hero usually gains a reward of some type either before returning or upon his return. Options (The Return): Options (The Return): A) Fleeing opposing Forces B) Safe return in which higher powers favor the hero C) A rescue of some sort D) Resurrection/Ascent into the living world (with new wisdom/knowledge and maturity)

Joseph Campbell’s “Stages of the Hero” Options (Reward): Options (Reward): A) Elixir B) Medal C) Treasure D) Artifact Please note that this is the hero’s journey in its most primitive form. Please note that this is the hero’s journey in its most primitive form.

Annotating Poetry 1. Read the title. What meanings does it hold? What can we predict the poem will be about? 2. Identify the narrative voice and point of view the poem is told from. Write it at the top of the page. 3. Read the poem once through for general comprehension. Identify the rhyme scheme and meter. Circle any words you do not know and define them. 4. Read the poem through again. Paraphrase any lines you do not comprehend in the margin.

Annotating Poetry 5. Read the poem through again. Underline any metaphors or similes along the way. Briefly explain them underneath the text. 6. Read the poem through once again. Circle any imagery you find along the way, and provide modifiers that explain the mood they create underneath.

Annotating Poetry 7. Read the poem through once again, commenting on any lines that reveal the tone of the poem in the left hand margin. 8. Read the poem through once again. Identify any assonance or consonance along the way, underlining the letters that create it. 9. Read the poem through once again. Identify, bracket, and define any allusions made that enrich the text. Briefly notate them underneath the text.

Annotating Poetry 10. Read the poem again and highlight any repeated words. Explain why you believe the author uses this repetition at the end of the poem. 11. Read the poem again. Identify and explain any symbols you believe function within the poem. This may be explained during or after reading the poem. 12. After annotating the poem, read the title once again. Does it mean something different than you thought? You should be able to identify the theme of the poem by now.