# Longfellow explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by James McIntyre.

## What happens

This chapter celebrates the poet Longfellow, praising his melodious and sweet poetry. It references several of his major works, including 'Excelsior,' 'Psalm of Life,' 'Hiawatha,' and 'Evangeline,' highlighting themes of love, nature, and moral reflection.

## Themes in this chapter

### Moral Lessons and Domestic Virtue

The chapter highlights Longfellow's 'Psalm of Life' as a critique of selfish strife, promoting moral reflection and virtuous living.

### Nature and the Environment

References to 'Hiawatha' and the planting of corn by the great spirit evoke themes of nature and the natural world.

## Character check-ins

### Longfellow

Celebrated as a poet whose works are sweet and melodious, with references to his poems 'Excelsior,' 'Psalm of Life,' 'Hiawatha,' and 'Evangeline.'

## Key lines

> Like fruit that’s large and ripe and mellow, Sweet and luscious is Longfellow

Longfellow's poetry is compared to ripe, sweet fruit, emphasizing its richness and appeal.

_The opening lines establish a metaphor for the poet's pleasing and mature style._

> He shows in his Psalm of Life The folly of our selfish strife

In 'Psalm of Life,' Longfellow demonstrates the foolishness of selfish conflict.

_This highlights the moral lesson embedded in Longfellow's work._

> With Hiawatha we bewail His suffering in great Indian tale

Through 'Hiawatha,' readers mourn the suffering depicted in the epic Native American story.

_This references the emotional impact of Longfellow's narrative poem._

> His story of Evangeline It is a tale of love divine

Longfellow's 'Evangeline' is a story of pure and divine love.

_This underscores the theme of enduring love in the poem._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/longfellow
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters