'Birds Of Passage' by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


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Black shadows fall
From the lindens tall,
That lift aloft their massive wall
Against the southern sky;

And from the realms
Of the shadowy elms
A tide-like darkness overwhelm
The fields that round us lie.

But the night is fair,
And everywhere
A warm, soft vapor fills the air,
And distant sounds seem near;

And above, in the light
Of the star-lit night,
Swift birds of passage wing their flight
Through the dewy atmosphere.

I hear the beat
Of their pinions fleet,
As from the land of snow and sleet
They seek a southern lea.

I hear the cry
Of their voices high
Falling dreamily through the sky,
But their forms I cannot see.

Oh, say not so!
Those sounds that flow
In murmurs of delight and woe
Come not from wings of birds.

They are the throngs
Of the poet's songs,
Murmurs of pleasures, and pains, and wrongs,
The sound of winged words.

This is the cry
Of souls, that high
On toiling, beating pinions, fly,
Seeking a warmer clime.

From their distant flight
Through realms of light
It falls into our world of night,
With the murmuring sound of rhyme.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Birds of Passage" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: A Journey Through Time

Have you ever felt the wind on your face and the sun on your skin, as you stood in awe of the beauty of nature? Have you ever felt the need to express your feelings and thoughts through poetry, to capture the essence of the world around you? If so, you may relate to the poems of "Birds of Passage" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

This collection of poems, first published in 1863, is a testament to Longfellow's love for poetry and nature. It takes us on a journey through time, as we explore different cultures and historical periods, while revealing the author's personal experiences and emotions. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the themes and literary devices used by Longfellow, and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the collection.

The Theme of Transience

One of the central themes of "Birds of Passage" is the transience of life. Longfellow reminds us that everything in life is fleeting, including joy, love, and youth. This is evident in the poem "The Day Is Done," where Longfellow reflects on the end of the day:

The day is done, and the darkness
Falls from the wings of Night,
As a feather is wafted downward
From an eagle in his flight.

The metaphor of the feather falling from an eagle's wing symbolizes the passing of time, as the day comes to an end. Longfellow goes on to describe how the memories of the day linger, but ultimately fade away:

And the night shall be filled with music,
And the cares, that infest the day,
Shall fold their tents, like the Arabs,
And as silently steal away.

The image of the Arabs folding their tents and silently stealing away is a powerful metaphor for the transience of life. Longfellow suggests that just as the Arabs leave no trace of their presence, so do our memories and experiences eventually fade away.

This theme of transience is also evident in the poem "Footsteps of Angels," where Longfellow reflects on the loss of his daughter. The poem describes how the footsteps of angels can be heard in the stillness of the night:

When the hours of Day are numbered,
And the voices of the Night
Wake the better soul, that slumbered,
To a holy, calm delight;
Ere the evening lamps are lighted,
And, like phantoms grim and tall,
Shadows from the fitful firelight
Dance upon the parlor wall;
Then the forms of the departed
Enter at the open door;
The beloved, the true-hearted,
Come to visit me once more;

Longfellow's use of imagery and sensory language creates a haunting atmosphere, as he suggests that the departed can still be felt in the world. However, the poem ends with a reminder that even angels are fleeting:

And the night shall be filled with music,
And the cares, that infest the day,
Shall fold their tents, like the Arabs,
And as silently steal away.

Longfellow suggests that even the presence of angels is temporary, and that we should cherish the time we have with loved ones while they are still alive.

The Theme of Travel

Another key theme in "Birds of Passage" is travel. Longfellow was an avid traveler himself, and his experiences are reflected in the collection. The poems take us on a journey through different cultures and historical periods, as Longfellow explores the world around him.

One of the most famous poems in the collection is "The Arrow and the Song," which is a metaphor for the journey of life:

I shot an arrow into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For, so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow it in its flight.

The arrow represents our journey through life, and the uncertainty that comes with it. Longfellow suggests that even though we may not know where our journey will take us, we should still strive to make our mark:

And, as I paused to hear his song,
While swift the sunny moments fled,
Perhaps the heart of some fair maid
In a distant land was waiting for me,

Longfellow suggests that our journey through life may lead us to unexpected places, and that we should embrace the opportunities that come our way.

The theme of travel is also evident in the poem "The Ladder of St. Augustine." The poem tells the story of St. Augustine, who climbed a ladder to heaven:

Saint Augustine! well hast thou said,
That of our vices we can frame
A ladder, if we will but tread
Beneath our feet each deed of shame!

Longfellow uses this metaphor to suggest that our journey through life is a climb towards enlightenment. We must learn from our mistakes and overcome our vices in order to reach our spiritual destination.

Literary Devices

Throughout "Birds of Passage," Longfellow uses a variety of literary devices to convey his message. One of the most prominent devices is imagery. Longfellow uses vivid descriptions of nature and the world around him to create a sensory experience for the reader. This is evident in the poem "The Day is Done," where Longfellow describes the end of the day:

The day is done, and the darkness
Falls from the wings of Night,
As a feather is wafted downward
From an eagle in his flight.

The metaphor of the feather falling from an eagle's wing creates a vivid image of the sun setting, and the darkness overcoming the light.

Longfellow also uses metaphors and similes to convey his message. In "The Ladder of St. Augustine," he uses the metaphor of the ladder to represent the journey of life. He also uses the simile "like phantoms grim and tall" to describe the shadows on the wall in "Footsteps of Angels."

Another literary device used by Longfellow is repetition. He repeats certain phrases throughout the collection to create a sense of unity and continuity. For example, he uses the phrase "Birds of Passage" in multiple poems, and this phrase becomes a motif for the collection.

Conclusion

"Birds of Passage" is a collection of poems that explores the themes of transience and travel. Longfellow uses literary devices such as imagery, metaphors, and repetition to convey his message. His love for poetry and nature is evident throughout the collection, as he takes us on a journey through time and different cultures. Ultimately, Longfellow reminds us to cherish the time we have, and to make the most of our journey through life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Birds of Passage: A Journey Through Longfellow's Poetry

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "Birds of Passage" is a collection of poems that takes the reader on a journey through life's many experiences. From the joys of youth to the sorrows of old age, Longfellow's poetry captures the essence of what it means to be human. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in "Birds of Passage" to gain a deeper understanding of Longfellow's work.

The first theme that emerges in "Birds of Passage" is the idea of time and its passage. The collection is divided into two parts: "Flight the First" and "Flight the Second." Each flight represents a different stage in life, with the first flight focusing on youth and the second flight on old age. Longfellow uses the metaphor of birds to represent the passing of time and the fleeting nature of life. In the poem "The Day is Done," he writes:

"The day is done, and the darkness Falls from the wings of Night, As a feather is wafted downward From an eagle in his flight."

Here, Longfellow compares the darkness of night to a feather falling from an eagle's wings. The eagle is a symbol of power and strength, but even it cannot stop the passage of time. The feather falling from its wings represents the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death.

Another theme that emerges in "Birds of Passage" is the idea of love and its many forms. Longfellow explores the different types of love that exist in the world, from romantic love to the love between friends and family. In the poem "The Arrow and the Song," he writes:

"I shot an arrow into the air, It fell to earth, I knew not where; For, so swiftly it flew, the sight Could not follow it in its flight."

Here, Longfellow uses the metaphor of an arrow to represent love. The arrow is shot into the air, just as love is often sent out into the world without any guarantee of where it will land. The poem goes on to describe how the arrow returns to the shooter, just as love often comes back to us in unexpected ways.

Longfellow also explores the theme of nature in "Birds of Passage." He uses vivid imagery to describe the beauty of the natural world and its power to inspire and uplift the human spirit. In the poem "The Ladder of St. Augustine," he writes:

"The heights by great men reached and kept Were not attained by sudden flight, But they, while their companions slept, Were toiling upward in the night."

Here, Longfellow uses the metaphor of a ladder to represent the journey of life. The ladder is a symbol of progress and growth, and the idea that great achievements are not attained overnight is a reminder that the journey is just as important as the destination.

Finally, Longfellow explores the theme of death in "Birds of Passage." He acknowledges the inevitability of death and the sorrow that comes with it, but he also offers a message of hope and comfort. In the poem "Resignation," he writes:

"There is no Death! What seems so is transition; This life of mortal breath Is but a suburb of the life elysian, Whose portal we call Death."

Here, Longfellow suggests that death is not an end, but a transition to a new life. He uses the metaphor of a suburb to describe this new life, suggesting that it is a place of comfort and familiarity. This message of hope is a reminder that even in the face of death, there is still beauty and meaning to be found in life.

In addition to these themes, Longfellow's language and imagery are also noteworthy in "Birds of Passage." He uses vivid descriptions of nature to create a sense of beauty and wonder in the reader's mind. In the poem "The Sound of the Sea," he writes:

"The sea awoke at midnight from its sleep, And round the pebbly beaches far and wide I heard the first wave of the rising tide Rush onward with uninterrupted sweep."

Here, Longfellow uses sensory language to describe the sound of the sea. The reader can almost hear the rush of the waves and feel the cool breeze on their skin. This attention to detail creates a sense of immersion in the natural world and adds to the overall impact of the poem.

Longfellow also uses repetition and rhyme to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in his poetry. In the poem "The Psalm of Life," he writes:

"Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time."

Here, Longfellow uses the repetition of the phrase "lives of great men" to create a sense of momentum in the poem. The rhyme scheme also adds to the musicality of the poem, making it easy to remember and recite.

In conclusion, "Birds of Passage" is a collection of poetry that explores the many themes and experiences of human life. Longfellow's use of metaphor, imagery, and language creates a sense of beauty and wonder in the reader's mind. Through his poetry, he reminds us of the fleeting nature of time, the power of love, the beauty of nature, and the inevitability of death. "Birds of Passage" is a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and uplift readers today.

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