Henry Wadsworth Henry Wadsworth LongfellowLongfellow

-An American Poet-An American PoetEarly American LiteratureEarly American Literature

BiographyBiography

1807-18821807-1882 Beloved poet and scholarBeloved poet and scholar Part of the “Fireside Poets” Part of the “Fireside Poets”

because his poems were because his poems were read around the fires of read around the fires of early Americans. (Think of early Americans. (Think of the songs you’d play to the songs you’d play to relax with friends relax with friends ))

Most of his poems were Most of his poems were morally uplifting and often morally uplifting and often sentimental.sentimental.

Poetic Style =Lyric PoetryPoetic Style =Lyric Poetry

Expresses personal feelings and strong Expresses personal feelings and strong emotions about a subject.emotions about a subject.

Lyric poets were inspired by life events, Lyric poets were inspired by life events, scenery and philosophy.scenery and philosophy.

"Paul Revere's Ride"

"Paul Revere's Ride" is one of Longfellow's best known and most widely read poems.

"Paul Revere's Ride" first appeared in the December 18, 1860 edition of the "Boston Transcript," and then in the January 1861 "Atlantic Monthly."

Poetic BackgroundPoetic Background

Paul Revere was a silversmith in Boston and a devoted patriot. He was a participant in the Boston Tea Party and creator of an inflammatory illustration of what became known as the Boston Massacre. Revere was also a family man, fathering eight children with his first wife, and, after her death, eight with his second wife. After the events described in Longfellow's poem, he served with the poet's maternal grandfather, Peleg Wadsworth, in the failed Penobscot expedition. By 1860, he and his place in history had been largely forgotten.

Poetic Background Cont.Poetic Background Cont.

The basic premise of Longfellow's poem is historically accurate, but Paul Revere's role is exaggerated. The most glaring inconsistencies between the poem and the historical record are that Revere was not the only rider that night, nor did he make it all the way to Concord, but was captured and then let go (without his horse) in Lexington, where he had stopped to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock of the impending attack.

Poetic IntentPoetic Intent

Longfellow's intention was not to write a history; it was to create a national hero and he was successful at doing so. During a time of great national upheaval, people seized on Paul Revere as an example of the county's noble past. His is still a household name and today visitors to Boston can visit Revere's house and follow in Revere's footsteps as outlined by Longfellow as they walk along the Freedom Trail.

Project AssignmentProject Assignment

Phase I : Student will work in their colleague Phase I : Student will work in their colleague collaboration groups to memorize & recite one collaboration groups to memorize & recite one (1) stanza of Mr. Longfellow’s poem “Paul (1) stanza of Mr. Longfellow’s poem “Paul Revere’s Ride”Revere’s Ride”

Phase II: Students will interpret & summarize Phase II: Students will interpret & summarize their assigned stanzas; in addition to their assigned stanzas; in addition to presenting their interpretations to the class.presenting their interpretations to the class.