In the introduction to one of his own poems, Schoolcraft suggested, “The measure (tetrameter) is thought to be not ill-adapted to the Indian mode of enunciation. In light of his reliance on scholar Henry Schoolcraft, it is of little surprise that Longfellow would choose the form. To the assertions that he used tetrameter in imitation of The Kalevala, Longfellow defended his decision and stated that the style was not exclusively Finnish. The most popular and contemporary literary critiques of The Song of Hiawatha were focused on its poetic meter (tetrameter, or eight syllables in each line), and the accusation that some of its myths were lifted from a Finnish epic, The Kalevala. Today, however, we recognize the unfairness inherent in that idea. As Europe looked back to the Ancient Greeks and Romans for a sense of distinction, America could look back to ancient Native American stories in the same way. While his earnest cross-cultural interest was undoubtable, it must be mentioned that Longfellow likely sensed the popular desire for a particular factor in a national epic: that it could grant Americans a link to the ancient history of the land they lived on even if his predominantly white audience had dubious claims to this heritage. He wrote in his journal, “I pored over Schoolcraft’s writings for nearly three years before I resolved to appropriate something of them to my own use.…” While writing, Longfellow wrote in his journal, “I must put a live, beating heart into it. Seemingly, it was an undertaking Longfellow pondered for a long time, wanting to do it justice. Longfellow, and in his early prose sketches, tales about the Indians had a place.” 3 Six years before writing, Longfellow made the acquaintance of Kah-ge-ga-gah-bowh, an Ojibwe academic, advocate and writer, who would provide some insight for the future work. In 1901, Longfellow’s daughter, Alice, reflected that, “an interest in the Indians had long been felt by Mr. 2 These same principles informed Longfellow’s choice of a Native American subject matter when he endeavored to create a national epic. Ralph Waldo Emerson, a friend of Longfellow’s, expressed eagerness to write about America with a local focus, shunning descriptions of what could only be found overseas. 1The collective goal was to fortify America’s identity through the establishment of a national mythology, comprised of the grand heroes and events inherent to epic poetry. From 1795 until the publication of Hiawatha in 1855, at least nineteen American epic poems were published. This fueled his hope for a distinct national literature for the United States, still a relatively young nation seeking cultural independence from its estranged parent country. Through the languages and literature he absorbed, he came to feel that any nation’s identity should be one with its written word. NPS photo, LONG Collection Creating an American Epicīefore beginning his career as a respected college professor, and long before he became “America’s poet,” Longfellow traveled extensively in Europe. Because of this, Hiawatha has a complicated legacy that has impacted perceptions of Native Americans in this country for over 165 years. However, he also Europeanized their legends and assimilated their culture into the American mainstream. In so doing, Longfellow brought positive attention to the Ojibwe people and helped spur the preservation of some elements of their culture. His intent, born out in his creation, was to mold Christian values, European literary structure and Native American culture into a single great “American” epic to rival those of the European classics. Longfellow’s poem was much more than a retelling of traditional Ojibwe tales for a white audience. Before this ending, Hiawatha defeats malevolent gods, and gifts his people with greater crop yields, and the invention of reading and writing. In the end, he leaves after white settlers arrive, feeling his time has passed and that his people will manage. The poem traces his life from childhood adventure, falling in fast love with Minnehaha, marrying, and losing her from illness. Later, Hiawatha’s grandmother falls from the moon, and he is eventually born. Before Hiawatha’s arrival, the reader enjoys various interwoven scenes, such as the case of the personified South Wind, Shawondasee, falling in love with a dandelion he takes to be a golden-haired young woman. Its main focuses are the adventures of a fictional Ojibwe hero, Hiawatha, his gifts to his people, and his tragic love story with a Dakota woman, Minnehaha. Primarily, the epic poem highlights the stories of the Ojibwe people of the Lake Superior region. Longfellow used rhythmic poetry to convey various Native American myths to a popular audience.
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