Evangeline with Notes and Plan of Study

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Nov 2022 · DigiCat

About this ebook

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 'Evangeline, A Tale of Acadia' is a monumental work of American literature, renowned for its emotive power and the grandeur of its romantic storytelling. Longfellow employs the dactylic hexameter, a classical Greek and Latin meter, to narrate the plight of Evangeline in her relentless quest for her betrothed, Gabriel. This is framed against the tragic backdrop of the Great Expulsion of the Acadian people in the mid-18th century. The poem's enduring literary style fuses Homeric echoes with American sensibility, and its reflection on themes of love, exile, and the search for identity resonates through the luscious descriptions of the North American landscape, establishing Longfellow's masterpiece as a seminal piece within the canon of epic poetry. The appended 'Plan of Study' augments the text, offering readers valuable scholarly insight into the context and nuances of Longfellow's creation. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a figure central to the American Romantic movement, was deeply influenced by the mythological and historical narratives that shape national identities. His purpose in writing 'Evangeline' was to craft a narrative that captures the spirit of a displaced people while articulating a sense of yearning and hope pervasive in human experience. Longfellow's own mastery of European languages and his preoccupation with translating and rendering classical texts for an American audience is vividly evident in the intricate structure and poetic grace of 'Evangeline.' The personal significance the poet attached to this composition is manifested in the manner he interweaves the personal with the collective, the mythic with the historical. 'Evangeline with Notes and Plan of Study' is recommended not only to devotees of Longfellow and scholars of American Romantic literature but also to those captivated by the power of epic poetry and the symbiotic relationship between history and mythology. The added scholarly apparatus in this edition enriches the appreciation for Longfellow's profound artistry, ensuring that the narrative of Evangeline and her enduring love transcends time, just as the poem itself has, to continue to inspire and move readers across generations.

About the author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was one of the most distinguished poets in American literary history, renowned for his lyrical poetry that resounded with themes of love, nature, and the human condition. Born on February 27, 1807, in Portland, Maine, Longfellow displayed a profound passion for languages and literature early in his life. After graduating from Bowdoin College, he embarked on a career that spanned academia and poetry. Longfellow's scholarly pursuits led him to a professorship at Harvard, though his true calling lay in his poetic endeavors. His work is characterized by its musicality, accessibility, and deep sentimentality, capturing the American imagination in the 19th century. Among his most beloved works, 'Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie' stands out for its romantic narrative and use of dactylic hexameter, which unconventional for English verse, demonstrated Longfellow's mastery of poetic form. 'Evangeline with Notes and Plan of Study' remains an important resource for literary scholars, educators, and students seeking to delve into Longfellow's epic poem and appreciate his contribution to American letters. Longfellow's influence extended beyond his poetry, contributing to the cultivation of a national cultural identity, and he remains widely celebrated for his enduring body of work. He passed away on March 24, 1882, but his legacy as a central figure in the canon of American poetry endures.