美国文学 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)1. Honors and Reputation•Americans owe a great debt to Longfellow because he was among the first of American writers to use native themes. He wrote about the American scene and landscape, the American Indian ('Song of Hiawatha'是印第安民族英雄史诗《哈依瓦撒之歌》), and American history and tradition ('The Courtship of Miles Standish', 'Evangeline').•He received honorary degrees from famous colleges and universities, including Cambridge and Oxford.•After death, Longfellow became the only American to be honored with a bust in the Poet’s Corner of W estminster Abbey.2. Reasons for the popularity and significance of LongfellowProbably the best loved of American poets the world over is Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.There are two reasons for the popularity and significance of Longfellow's poetry.•First, he had the gift of easy rhyme. He wrote poetry as a bird sings, with natural grace and melody. Read or heard once or twice, his rhyme and meters cling to the mind long after the sense may be forgotten.•Second, Longfellow wrote on obvious themes in plain language which appeal to all kinds of people. His poems are easily understood; they sing their way into the consciousness of those who read them. Above all, there is a joyousness in them, a spirit of optimism and faith in the goodness of life which evokes immediate response in the emotions of his readers.3. Biographical Facts•born in Portland, Maine. His father was a Portland lawyer and congressman.•went to school when he was only three years old•studied at Bowdoin College•traveled and study in Europe•Taught as a professor at Harvard and achieved a significant result in literary field.4. Longfellows major worksV oice of the Nights 夜籁集Ballads and other Poems 歌谣及其他Evangeline 伊凡吉林Hiawatha 海华沙之歌“A Psalm of Life” 人生礼赞（published in V oice of the Nights 夜籁集）“A Psalm of Life” 人生礼赞is said to be the first English poem translated into Chinese.“A Psalm of Life” 人生礼赞1.Background of the poemLongfellow’s first wife died when he was traveling around Europe. As a result he suffered from hypochondria 忧郁症When he wrote this poem, he was still struggling with the illness.But the poem expressed an impassioned and optimistic feeling to life. It also shows the beginning of American’s extension to the west.2. Main idea of the poemThe relationship of life and death is a constant theme for poets. Longfellow expresses his pertinent interpretation to that by warning us that though life is hard and everybody must die, time flies and life is short, yet, huma n beings ought to be bold “to act”, to face the reality straightly so as to make otherwise meaningless life significant.3. Detailed Analysis of the poemstanza1Tell me not in mournful numbers, 请不要用忧伤的情调相告，Life is but an empty dream! 人生呵，无非是虚梦一场！For the soul is dead that slumbers 因为沉睡的灵魂如死一般，And things are not what they seem. 事物并非表面显示的那样。

the negative beginning of the poem reveals the theme of the poem, denying life is a dream of the old sorrow, beginning with the same exuberance and enthusiasm that continues the whole poem. Longfellow states that life does not end when one dies, it extends into another after life. He believes that the soul will continue to live long after the body dies.Stanza 2Life is real! Life is earnest! 人生是实在的！人生是热烈的！“”，比喻的并非。

And the grave is not its goal；坟墓绝非人生终极之境；Dust thou art , to dust returnest, 来自尘土，归于尘土,Was not spoken of the soul. 此话指的并不是我们的灵魂。

In the second stanza he states clearly that “And grave is not its goal”, meaning that life does not end for people simply bcause they die; there is always somethng more to be hopeful and optimistic for. Stanza 3Not enjoyment , and not sorrow,快乐，悲伤都不是Is our destined and our way；我们的人生之旅But to act, 行动That much to-morrow. 才是我们的道路，Find us farther than to-day. 每天不断前进，蒸蒸蒸日上。

Longfellow begins discussing how human beings must live their lives in constant anticipation for the next day under the belief that it will be better that each day before itStanza 4Art is long , and time is fleeting. 光阴易逝，而艺海无涯，And our hearts , though stout and brave. 我们的心哪——虽然勇敢坚强，Still , like muffled drums , are beating 却像被布蒙住的铜鼓，Funeral marches to the grave。

常把殡葬的哀乐擂响。

Longfellow states that there is never an infinite amount of time to live, but art that is created during one’s life can be preserved indefinitely and live on long after its creator dies.Stanza 5In the world’s broad field of battle, 在这人生的宿营地，In the bivouac of Life, 在这辽阔的世界战场，Be not like dumb,driven cattle! 别做无言的牲畜任人驱赶，Be a hero in the strife! 做一名英雄汉立马横枪！Longfellow likens living in the world to fighting on a hige field of battle.He believes that people should lead heroic and courageous lives and not sit idle and remain ineffectual while the world rapidly changes around.He encourages everyone to have faith and trust the lord and not rely on an unknown future to be stable and supportive.stanza 6Trust no future.howe’er pleasant! 别相信未来，哪怕未来多么欢乐！Let the dead Past bury its dead! 让死去的往昔将死亡一切埋葬！Act,act in the living Present! 上帝在上，我们胸怀勇气，Heart within,and God O’erhead! 行动吧———趁现在活着的好时光！He advises people to seize the moments they have before them and act thinking about their present situations.stanza 7Lives of great men all remind us 伟人的生平使我们想起，We can make our lives sublime, 我们能使自己的一生变得高尚！And departing,leave behind us 当我们辞别人间，Footprints on the sands of time；能把足迹留在时间的流沙上，Longfellow continues his poem by citing the lives of great and important men who were able to lead inreadible lives and leave their marks. He views these men as role models for people who have yet to live their lives. He encourages his readers to leave their own “footsteps on the sands of time”and become important.Stnaza 8Footprints that perhaps another, 也许有个遭了船灾的苦难弟兄，Sailing o’er life solemn main, 他曾在庄严的人生大海中飘航，A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, 见到我们的脚印，Seeing,shall take heart again, 又会满怀信心。