Introduction
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s The Song of Hiawatha is a sweeping narrative poem that dives deep into Native American myths, focusing on the life and adventures of Hiawatha, a legendary Ojibwe warrior and leader. 🌲🏹 Written in 1855, this poem is not just a literary piece but a cultural artifact that attempts to capture the essence of Native American traditions and lore through the lens of Longfellow’s imagination.
Longfellow was a key figure in American literature, often celebrated for his easy-to-read and engaging poetic forms. “The Song of Hiawatha” stands out for its trochaic tetrameter, a rhythm that mimics the Finnish epic “Kalevala”. This was a somewhat novel approach in English poetry at the time and contributed significantly to the poem’s unique charm and rhythmic cadence.
The genre of the poem can best be described as an epic narrative. It intertwines personal and cultural conflicts, encompassing themes of love, war, religion, and nature. Longfellow’s work notably attempts to transcend the simple storytelling of a hero’s adventures, aiming to construct a work that resonates with the ethos and spirituality of Native American cultures, albeit through a European settler’s perspective. 📜✨
Meaning of The Song of Hiawatha
The Song of Hiawatha delves deeply into themes of nature, leadership, and the spiritual world, presenting a vivid narrative that covers the life of Hiawatha from his mystical origins to his eventual ascension. Let’s explore the poem’s meaning by examining its opening, mid, and concluding sections.
Opening Section In the initial stanzas of the poem, Longfellow sets the stage with a focus on Hiawatha’s divine origins. His birth is foretold by Gitche Manito, the Great Spirit, who calls for peace among warring tribes. Hiawatha, born to Mudjekeewis, the West-Wind, and Wenonah, is destined to be a leader and unifier:
On the shores of Gitche Gumee,
Of the shining Big-Sea-Water,
Stood Nokomis, the old woman,
Pointing with her finger westward,
O’er the water pointing westward,
To the purple clouds of sunset.
This beginning sets a tone of mysticism and a deep connection to nature, indicative of Hiawatha’s role as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms.
Mid Section The middle of the poem explores Hiawatha’s various adventures and his endeavors to teach the people and improve their lives. This includes his encounter with the evil Pearl-Feather, his marriage to Minnehaha, and his friendship with the strong and wise Chibiabos. Each event and character introduced serves as a symbol or lesson in the tapestry of the poem, reflecting Longfellow’s interpretation of Native American myths.
Thus the birch canoe was builded
In the valley, by the river,
In the bosom of the forest;
And the forest’s life was in it,
All its mystery and its magic,
All the lightness of the birch-tree,
All the toughness of the cedar,
All the larch’s supple sinews;
And it floated on the river
Like a yellow leaf in Autumn,
Like a yellow water-lily.
Concluding Section The conclusion of “The Song of Hiawatha” is both somber and uplifting, as it narrates Hiawatha’s departure from his people. He leaves after instructing them in all the arts of life, sailing into the sunset in his birch canoe, a symbol of his journey to the Isles of the Blessed. This end signifies not just a physical departure but a spiritual transcendence, leaving a legacy that his people will cherish and maintain.
Farewell! said he, Hiawatha,
Farewell! answered all the warriors,
Thus departed Hiawatha,
Hiawatha the Beloved,
In the glory of the sunset,
In the purple mists of evening,
To the regions of the home-wind,
Of the Northwest-Wind, Keewaydin,
To the Islands of the Blessed,
To the kingdom of Ponemah,
To the land of the Hereafter!
Each section of the poem builds upon the last, weaving a complex narrative that underscores the interconnectedness of life, nature, and spirituality, framed in a distinctly American epic.
In-depth Analysis
“The Song of Hiawatha” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is rich with literary techniques, symbolism, and intricate use of language. This in-depth analysis will explore various stanzas from the poem, highlighting the poetic devices, symbolism, and themes that Longfellow employs.
— Syntax and Diction — Longfellow’s choice of words and sentence structure in “The Song of Hiawatha” is deliberately simple and repetitive, mimicking the oral tradition of storytelling. This simplicity serves to enhance the accessibility of the poem and to evoke a rhythmic, almost hypnotic feel, drawing the reader into the narrative flow. For example:
By the shores of Gitche Gumee,
By the shining Big-Sea-Water,
Stood the wigwam of Nokomis,
Daughter of the Moon, Nokomis.
The repetition of “By the” at the beginning of each line creates a musical quality, a hallmark of oral storytelling traditions.
— Figurative Language — Longfellow uses a plethora of figurative language to enrich the imagery and symbolism of the poem. Metaphors and similes are frequent, painting vivid pictures of the landscape and spiritual experiences:
As a fire upon the hearthstone
Is the presence of the fire-god,
In the ashes he reposes,
And will lift up his head from beneath them,
Ere the maidens cease to whisper,
Ere the song and dance are ended.
— Themes and Symbolism — Each stanza of the poem is laden with symbolic meaning often drawn from natural elements, which stand as metaphors for larger themes such as life, death, and rebirth. The character of Hiawatha himself symbolizes the ideal leader, embodying qualities such as wisdom, courage, and respect for nature.
— Poetic Devices — Longfellow’s use of alliteration and assonance adds a lyrical quality to the text, enhancing the melodic feel of the verses. This is evident in lines like:
Dark behind it rose the forest,
Rose the black and gloomy pine-trees,
Rose the firs with cones upon them;
These devices not only create a pleasing sound but also help emphasize the interconnectedness of Hiawatha’s world.
— Literary Techniques — The use of trochaic tetrameter throughout the poem is a distinctive feature that gives the poem its unique pace and flow. This meter is reflective of the Finnish epic “Kalevala,” which Longfellow acknowledged as an inspiration.
By dissecting these elements, we can appreciate how Longfellow crafts each stanza to build upon his themes and deepen the reader’s engagement with the text.
Poetic Devices used in The Song of Hiawatha
In “The Song of Hiawatha,” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow employs a range of poetic devices to enrich his storytelling and enhance the rhythmic and thematic impact of the poem. Below is a table highlighting the top 10 poetic devices used throughout the poem, along with examples to illustrate each device.
| Poetic Device | Description | Example from Poem |
|---|---|---|
| Alliteration | Repetition of initial consonant sounds in closely placed words. | “Fringed with feathered ferns and flowers” |
| Assonance | Repetition of vowel sounds within words close to each other. | “And the ivy-vine, over all the door” |
| Anaphora | Repetition of words at the beginning of successive clauses or verses. | “On the mountains on the prairies,” |
| Metaphor | A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literal | “And the brooks sang on without a motion” – The brooks are metaphorically singing, lending them human traits. |
| Simile | A figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind. | “As a yellow leaf in Autumn” – comparing the floating of a canoe to a falling leaf. |
| Hyperbole | Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally. | “With his mittens, Minjekahwun, He could smash the rocks to pieces,” |
| Personification | Attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities. | “The stars kept watch in the sky,” – giving stars the human action of keeping watch. |
| Symbolism | The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. | “The red deer’s hide” represents protection and warmth. |
| Onomatopoeia | The formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named. | “The whisper of the tree-tops” – “whisper” mimics the sound itself. |
| Repetition | Repeating the same words or phrases a few times to make an idea clearer and more memorable. | “And the water bugs to the water, |
| And the beetles to the bark” – Repeating structure to emphasize natural order. |
The Song of Hiawatha – FAQs
What is the significance of Hiawatha’s character in the poem?
Hiawatha serves as a cultural hero and a moral guide in the poem. His character embodies the ideal qualities of leadership, such as wisdom, bravery, and a deep connection to both the spiritual and natural worlds. Hiawatha’s journey through the poem symbolizes the struggles and achievements of life, reflecting universal themes of love, conflict, and reconciliation.
How does Longfellow integrate Native American culture into the poem?
Longfellow draws heavily on Native American stories and myths, particularly those of the Ojibwe people. He uses specific cultural references, such as names of places, natural elements, and spiritual beliefs, to give depth to the narrative. However, it’s important to note that Longfellow’s representations are seen through the lens of a 19th-century European American, which may not accurately reflect Native American traditions.
What role does nature play in The Song of Hiawatha?
Nature is not just a backdrop in the poem but a central character that interacts with and influences the human characters. Longfellow uses natural elements like lakes, forests, and animals to symbolize emotional and spiritual states. Nature also acts as a source of knowledge and power for Hiawatha, reflecting the deep respect for the natural world prevalent in many Native American cultures.
Can you explain the use of trochaic tetrameter in the poem?
Trochaic tetrameter, a poetic meter with four trochees per line (a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed one), is used throughout the poem. This meter gives the poem a rhythmic and incantatory quality, similar to traditional Native American chants and songs, although it is inspired by the Finnish epic “Kalevala.” This choice of meter helps to unify the lengthy poem and contributes to its mythical atmosphere.
What themes are explored in The Song of Hiawatha?
The poem explores several themes, including peace and conflict, love and loss, and the spiritual connection between humans and the natural world. Hiawatha’s endeavors to bring peace among the tribes and his efforts to teach his people practical and spiritual wisdom are central themes. The poem also deeply explores personal loss, as seen in Hiawatha’s sorrow at the death of his wife, Minnehaha.
The Song of Hiawatha Study Guide
For this study guide exercise, students are tasked with analyzing a specific verse from “The Song of Hiawatha” to identify and list the poetic devices used. This exercise aims to help students develop a deeper understanding of how Longfellow employs various literary techniques to enhance his storytelling.
Exercise:
Read the verse below and list all the poetic devices you can identify. Consider how these devices contribute to the overall meaning and tone of the poem.
At the door on summer evenings Sat the little Hiawatha; Heard the whispering of the pine-trees, Heard the lapping of the waters, Sounds of music, words of wonder; ‘Minne-wawa!’ said the Pine-trees, ‘Mudway-aushka!’ said the water.
Answer Key:
- Alliteration – “Heard the whispering of the pine-trees,” where the repetition of the ‘h’ sound creates a soft, soothing effect.
- Onomatopoeia – “Mudway-aushka!” mimics the sound of water, enhancing the sensory experience of the verse.
- Personification – “‘Minne-wawa!’ said the Pine-trees,” gives human-like characteristics to the pine trees, allowing them to ‘speak’, which deepens the mystical, animate nature of the environment.
- Imagery – Descriptions like “lapping of the waters” and “whispering of the pine-trees” evoke vivid images that appeal to the senses, creating a serene, immersive scene.
- Assonance – Repetition of the ‘a’ sound in “Sat the little Hiawatha” enhances the musical quality of the verse.
- Symbolism – Words spoken by the pine-trees and water symbolize the natural elements communicating or imparting wisdom, reflecting the theme of interconnectedness between humans and nature.
This exercise not only helps students identify literary devices but also encourages them to think about how these devices contribute to the thematic and emotional layers of the poem.