New Releases by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow''s ''The Song of Hiawatha: An Epic Poem'' holds a distinguished place in the pantheon of American literature. Written in trochaic tetrameter, the poem echoes the cadences found in the Finnish epic, the Kalevala, embodying an ambitious attempt to capture the essence of Native American mythology. Rich in allegory and symbolism, Longfellow''s narrative weaves together the adventures of the Ojibwe warrior Hiawatha with the natural world of the American landscape, thus exploring the interplay between human experience and the environment at a critical period of national self-definition. The literary style is marked by its vivid imagery and an engaging rhythm that creates an almost hypnotic effect, inviting readers into the lore and legends of a time gone by. Longfellow, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, drew upon his fascination with indigenous cultures and his scholarly background in European literatures to craft this masterpiece. This work reflects a period of romantic nationalism, where there was a burgeoning interest in creating distinctly American narratives, couched in the grandeur and expansiveness characteristic of the era. Longfellow, through his vast reading and intuitive understanding of verse, aimed to construct a unifying myth for the young nation, crystallizing his legacy as both a poet and a cultural architect. This edition by DigiCat Publishing is an invitation to contemporary readers to revisit and appreciate Longfellow''s epic in a format that bridges the past and present. Scholars and novices alike will find ''The Song of Hiawatha'' an enriching read that offers insight into the crafting of national identity through literature. It is a poignant reminder of the power of epic poetry to stir the imagination, prompt reflection on human character, and underscore the enduring beauty of storytelling traditions.

The Song of Hiawatha (1855) is an epic poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. A master of poetic tradition and form, Longfellow wrote The Song of Hiawatha in trochaic tetrameter, the meter of such classical epics as the Finnish Kalevala. Inspired by stories from Ojibwe oral tradition, for which he consulted Ojibwe chief Kahge-ga-gah-bowh and other indigenous sources, Longfellow composed his American epic, a story of romance and perseverance steeped in legend and beloved by generations to come. Along the shores of Lake Superior, an Ojibwe leader prophesies the arrival of Hiawatha, a great and noble hero. Before he can be born, however, Mudjekeewis must father the Four Winds by killing the Great Bear. His sons grow to be wild, fearless warriors, defending their land and feuding endlessly with one another. Although Nokomis, a woman who fell from the moon, warns her daughter not to fall for the West Wind, Wenonah is seduced by him, bringing about the birth of Hiawatha. Powerful and adventurous from a young age, Hiawatha grows into a legendary figure responsible for the discovery of corn and the invention of a written language for his people. When he meets the beautiful Minnehaha, a young Dakota woman, he struggles to balance his responsibilities as a leader and protector with a love that overwhelms him. The Song of Hiawatha is a romance of epic proportions that pays tribute to the stories of America’s first peoples. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s The Song of Hiawatha is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Tales of a Wayside Inn is a collection of poems by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The book, published in 1863, depicts a group of people at the Wayside Inn in Sudbury, Massachusetts as each tells a story in the form of a poem. Overview: The poems in the collection are told by a group of adults in the tavern of the Wayside Inn in Sudbury, Massachusetts, 20 miles from the poet''s home in Cambridge, and a favorite resort for parties from Harvard College. The narrators are friends of the author who, though they were not named, were so plainly characterized as to be easily recognizable. Among those of wider fame are Ole Bull, the violinist, and Thomas William Parsons, the poet and translator of Dante. Each of the three parts has a prelude and a finale, and there are interludes which link together the tales and introduce the narrators. The prelude for the first part begins: "One Autumn night, in Sudbury town, Across the meadows bare and brown, The windows of the wayside inn Gleamed red with fire-light..." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (February 27, 1807 - March 24, 1882) was an American poet and educator whose works include "Paul Revere''s Ride," The Song of Hiawatha, and Evangeline. He was also the first American to translate Dante Alighieri''s Divine Comedy and was one of the five Fireside Poets from New England. Longfellow was born in Portland, Maine, which was then still part of Massachusetts. He studied at Bowdoin College and, after spending time in Europe, he became a professor at Bowdoin and later at Harvard College. His first major poetry collections were Voices of the Night (1839) and Ballads and Other Poems (1841). Longfellow retired from teaching in 1854 to focus on his writing, and he lived the remainder of his life in a former Revolutionary War headquarters of George Washington in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His first wife Mary Potter died in 1835 after a miscarriage. His second wife Frances Appleton died in 1861 after sustaining burns when her dress caught fire. After her death, Longfellow had difficulty writing poetry for a time and focused on translating works from foreign languages. He died in 1882. Longfellow wrote many lyric poems known for their musicality and often presenting stories of mythology and legend. He became the most popular American poet of his day and also had success overseas. He has been criticized, however, for imitating European styles and writing specifically for the masses. Death of Frances: July 9, 1861 was a hot day, and Fanny was putting locks of her children''s hair into an envelope and attempting to seal it with hot sealing wax while Longfellow took a nap.[70] Her dress suddenly caught fire, though it is unclear exactly how;burning wax or a lighted candle may have fallen onto it. Longfellow was awakened from his nap and rushed to help her, throwing a rug over her, though it was too small. He stifled the flames with his body as best he could, but she was already badly burned.Over half a century later, Longfellow''s youngest daughter Annie explained the story differently, claiming that there had been no candle or wax but that the fire had started from a self-lighting match that had fallen on the floor. Both accounts state that Fanny was taken to her room to recover and a doctor was called. She was in and out of consciousness throughout the night and was administered ether. She died shortly after 10:00 the next morning, July 10, after requesting a cup of coffee. Longfellow, in trying to save her, had burned himself badly enough so that he was unable to attend her funeral.His facial injuries led him to stop shaving, and he wore a beard from then on that became his trademark..............

Presents the complete poetical works of nineteenth-century American writer Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, including "The Song of Hiawatha," "Tales of a Wayside Inn," and many other selections, and features biographical information about the poet