Longfellow

Walt Whitman described Henry Wadsworth Longfellow as the “universal poet of young people” (Kunitz 10). He is the “poet of the sympathetic gestures” whose poetry was a “universal pastime and delight” (Kinsella 256). During the early 1800s, the literary movement Romanticism became popular in literature. It emphasized passion over reason, imagination over logic, human feelings and individual freedom. Economic and social reform were emphasized and writers, like Longfellow, would base their writings off of medieval times, folklore and legends, nature and common people (Lipking 18/19). With the ambitious vibes and beliefs of the Romanticism period, along with his great childhood and calm nature, Longfellow became one of the most sought after writers of all time (Kinsella 256).

Unlike writers such as Edgar Allen Poe, Longfellow’s poems were “overly optimistic and sentimental” (Kinsella 256). He stood out amongst any other writer of his time. While most authors wrote dark, gothic works and stories, Longfellow’s were happy, positive and encouraging due to his wonderful childhood. He was inspired by his hometown, Portland, the sea, poets like Sir Walter Scott and Samuel Rogers, literature and music were all inspirations to him (Arvin 8/9). These parts of his childhood along with the new, exciting ideas of Romanticism are what shaped Longfellow’s style of writing. This is what drew in his audience because his poems were relatable and were written from the heart. Even though Longfellow went through some hard times with the loss of two wives and suffering from vertigo and peritonitis, he never allowed these complications affect his writing or his calmness (Kunitz 5). His control over his mind and body helped create some of the most beloved p...

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Kunitz, Stanley. "Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth." Biography Reference Bank. The H. W. Wilson Company, 1938. Web. 07 May 2014. .

Lipking, Lawrence. “Romanticism.” World Book Advanced. World Book, 2014. Web. 14 May 2014

Peck, David R. "Let Us, Then, Be Up and Doing." Literary Reference Center. EBSCO Industries, Inc., 2003. Web. 08 May 2014. .

Rabe, Roberto. "Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Biography." Sweet Search. Dulcinea Media, Inc. Web. 07 May 2014. .