PASSAGE FOUR (Questions 7-9)
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) was perhaps the best-known American poet of the
nineteenth century. His clear writing style and emphasis on the prevalent values of the period made
him popular with the general public if not always with the critics. He was particularly recognized for
his longer narrative poems Evangeline, The Song ofHiawatha, and The Courtship ofMiles Standish, in
which he told stories from American history in terms of the values of the time.
Evangeline was set during the French and Indian War (1754-1763), when the British forced
French settlers from Nova Scotia; two lovers, Gabriel and Evangeline, were separated by the
British, and Evangeline devoted her lifetime to the search for Gabriel. With its emphasis on
sentimental, undying love, Evangeline was immensely popular with the public.
In The Song ofHiawatha, Longfellow depicted the noble life of the American Indian through
the story of the brave Lfiawatha and his beloved wife Minehaha. The tear-inspiring poem follows
Hiawatha through the tragedies and triumphs of life, ending with the death of Minehaha and
Hiawatha's departure into the sunset in his canoe.
The Courtship ofMiles Standish takes place during the early period of the settlement of New
England, a period which was viewed as a time of honor and romance. In this poem centered
around a love triangle, Miles Standish asks his friendJohn Alden to propose to Priscilla Mullins
for him; John Alden ends up marrying Priscilla Mullins himself, and it takes time for his
friendship with Miles Standish to recover. As with Longfellow's other narrative poems, the
emphasis on high ideals and romance made the poem extremely popular.