A Psalm of life

An analysis of A Psalm of Life

1. A Psalm of Life Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

2. It is a lyrical poem full of religious emotions. It was published in October 1838. “A Psalm” is a sacred song and invocation to the mankind to follow the path of righteousness. The poet advices people to be heroes in their lives . He asks them to live in the present , without thinking about the task in the poem is to instruct and guide and to inspire people . The poem teaches basic human values and lays down the foundation for prosperous , ethical life . The poem consists of nine stanza’s of four lines each. It has a regular rhyming scheme and each stanza follows the rhyme scheme ‘ abab ’ . In every stanza, the first line rhymes matches with third line and second line rhymes with fourth line . Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 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. Author ’s introduction

3. Explanation He explains that he does not want to know the length of his life , life is an empty dream .Dreams are normally fantasy and impossible . He tries to explain that life is not an empty dream ,it is real and could be great and has a meaning . If you are alive and awake does not mean you are living someone that does not take part in life . Tell me not , in mournful numbers, 1 st stanza Life is but an empty dream! For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem

4. Explanation In this stanza the poets states that life is real and earnest and the grave is not it’s goal .Humans are not meant to live and die ,they are meant to be remembered .The birth and death of a person will not remembered by the others but if they do good deeds in their life it will be hard to forget someone’s deeds Life is real ! Life is earnest ! 2 nd stanza And the grave is not it’s goal Dust thou art, to dust returnest Was not spoken of the soul

5. In this stanza poets says that all of us unware that the how we will die. we are unaware of how we will end our lives . In the end it is not about what we have acquired or how much we have it , it is about knowing that who we are now , is better than where we started . Not enjoyment and the sorrow 3 rd stanza Is our destined end or way But to act , that each to morrow Find us farther than to –day .

6. In this poet states that that we have little time on this Earth. That even though our bodies may grow weak, it is our hearts that will remain forever strong. Art is long , and time is fleeting 4 th stanza And our hearts ,though stout and brave Still , like muffled drums are beating Funeral marches to the grave .

7. In this stanza poets states that this life contains a lot of struggles but we must remember that it is temporary and the goal is a much better place, so be smart while you are here. stand out. Don’t follow the path that a person chooses is not suitable according to you . Don’t follow like cattle does blindly follow and have faith on the leader without knowing the fact. In the world’s broad field of battle , 5 th stanza In the bivouac of life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle !

8. In this stanza poet says that trust no future and bury all the memories of the past . Act and think in the present and live in the present . Simply live in the present. Rid of anything holding you back or anything making you fearful of moving on. Live with the idea that after this life there is something greater. Trust no future , however pleasant ! 6 th stanza Let the dead past bury it’s dead ! Act- act in the living present ! Heart within , and God o’erhead !

9. In this stanza poet says that the lives of the great men will remind us that what they did in their lives and what path they choose so that they became great . We can also make our lives great and worthy if we follow the right path so that the imbedded footprints will seen the time . Live a life that will be remembered Lives of great men all remind us 7 th stanza We can make our lives sublime , and departing , leave behind us Footprints on the sand of time ,

10. In this poet states that the footprints that one has imbedded in the sands will become the example of others and help them to follow your path as so have set an example for them . Not only live a life that others will remember, but live so great that when others hear about you, you have set an example. Footprints, that perhaps another, 8 th stanza Sailing o’er life’s solemn main , A forlorn and shipwrecked brother , Seeing, shall take heart again

11. In this stanza poet states that the time is indefinite and work hard and be a good person follow the path of righteousness and be a good example for others . Go out and live life with the idea that your time is indefinite. Work hard and be a good person and be patient. ( The after life holds something much greater. ) Let us, then ,be up and doing , 9 th stanza With a heart for any fate , Still achieving , still pu rsuing , Learn to labor and to wait .

12. Conclusion He explains that he does not want to know the length of his life , life is an empty dream .Dreams are normally fantasy and impossible . He tries to explain that life is not an empty dream ,it is real and could be great and has a meaning . If you are alive and awake does not mean you are living someone that does not take part in life . Humans are not meant to live and die ,they are meant to be remembered .The birth and death of a person will not remembered by the others but if they do good deeds in their life it will be hard to forget someone’s deeds we are unaware of how we will end our lives . In the end it is not about what we have acquired or how much we have it , it is about knowing that who we are now , is better than where we started . we have little time on this Earth. That even though our bodies may grow weak, it is our hearts that will remain forever strong. this life contains a lot of struggles but we must remember that it is temporary and the goal is a much better place, so be smart while you are here. stand out. Don’t follow the path that a person chooses is not suitable according to you . Don’t follow like cattle does blindly follow and have faith on the leader without knowing the fact.

13. says that trust no future and bury all the memories of the past . Act and think in the present and live in the present . Simply live in the present. Rid of anything holding you back or anything making you fearful of moving on. Live with the idea that after this life there is something greater. the lives of the great men will remind us that what they did in their lives and what path they choose so that they became great . We can also make our lives great and worthy if we follow the right path so that the imbedded footprints will seen the time . Live a life that will be remembered the footprints that one has imbedded in the sands will become the example of others and help them to follow your path as so have set an example for them . Not only live a life that others will remember, but live so great that when others hear about you, you have set an example. states that the time is indefinite and work hard and be a good person follow the path of righteousness and be a good example for others . Go out and live life with the idea that your time is indefinite. Work hard and be a good person and be patient. ( The after life holds something much greater. )