'Death Of Kwasind, The' by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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Far and wide among the nations
Spread the name and fame of Kwasind;
No man dared to strive with Kwasind,
No man could compete with Kwasind.
But the mischievous Puk-Wudjies,
They the envious Little People,
They the fairies and the pygmies,
Plotted and conspired against him.
"If this hateful Kwasind," said they,
"If this great, outrageous fellow
Goes on thus a little longer,
Tearing everything he touches,
Rending everything to pieces,
Filling all the world with wonder,
What becomes of the Puk-Wudjies?
Who will care for the Puk-Wudjies?
He will tread us down like mushrooms,
Drive us all into the water,
Give our bodies to be eaten
By the wicked Nee-ba-naw-baigs,
By the Spirits of the water!
So the angry Little People
All conspired against the Strong Man,
All conspired to murder Kwasind,
Yes, to rid the world of Kwasind,
The audacious, overbearing,
Heartless, haughty, dangerous Kwasind!
Now this wondrous strength of Kwasind
In his crown alone was seated;
In his crown too was his weakness;
There alone could he be wounded,
Nowhere else could weapon pierce him,
Nowhere else could weapon harm him.
Even there the only weapon
That could wound him, that could slay him,
Was the seed-cone of the pine-tree,
Was the blue cone of the fir-tree.
This was Kwasind's fatal secret,
Known to no man among mortals;
But the cunning Little People,
The Puk-Wudjies, knew the secret,
Knew the only way to kill him.
So they gathered cones together,
Gathered seed-cones of the pine-tree,
Gathered blue cones of the fir-tree,
In the woods by Taquamenaw,
Brought them to the river's margin,
Heaped them in great piles together,
Where the red rocks from the margin
Jutting overhang the river.
There they lay in wait for Kwasind,
The malicious Little People.
`T was an afternoon in Summer;
Very hot and still the air was,
Very smooth the gliding river,
Motionless the sleeping shadows:
Insects glistened in the sunshine,
Insects skated on the water,
Filled the drowsy air with buzzing,
With a far resounding war-cry.
Down the river came the Strong Man,
In his birch canoe came Kwasind,
Floating slowly down the current
Of the sluggish Taquamenaw,
Very languid with the weather,
Very sleepy with the silence.
From the overhanging branches,
From the tassels of the birch-trees,
Soft the Spirit of Sleep descended;
By his airy hosts surrounded,
His invisible attendants,
Came the Spirit of Sleep, Nepahwin;
Like a burnished Dush-kwo-ne-she,
Like a dragon-fly, he hovered
O'er the drowsy head of Kwasind.
To his ear there came a murmur
As of waves upon a sea-shore,
As of far-off tumbling waters,
As of winds among the pine-trees;
And he felt upon his forehead
Blows of little airy war-clubs,
Wielded by the slumbrous legions
Of the Spirit of Sleep, Nepahwin,
As of some one breathing on him.
At the first blow of their war-clubs,
Fell a drowsiness on Kwasind;
At the second blow they smote him,
Motionless his paddle rested;
At the third, before his vision
Reeled the landscape Into darkness,
Very sound asleep was Kwasind.
So he floated down the river,
Like a blind man seated upright,
Floated down the Taquamenaw,
Underneath the trembling birch-trees,
Underneath the wooded headlands,
Underneath the war encampment
Of the pygmies, the Puk-Wudjies.
There they stood, all armed and waiting,
Hurled the pine-cones down upon him,
Struck him on his brawny shoulders,
On his crown defenceless struck him.
"Death to Kwasind!" was the sudden
War-cry of the Little People.
And he sideways swayed and tumbled,
Sideways fell into the river,
Plunged beneath the sluggish water
Headlong, as an otter plunges;
And the birch canoe, abandoned,
Drifted empty down the river,
Bottom upward swerved and drifted:
Nothing more was seen of Kwasind.
But the memory of the Strong Man
Lingered long among the people,
And whenever through the forest
Raged and roared the wintry tempest,
And the branches, tossed and troubled,
Creaked and groaned and split asunder,
"Kwasind!" cried they; "that is Kwasind!
He is gathering in his fire-wood!"
Editor 1 Interpretation
Death of Kwasind: An Exploration of Heroism and Tragedy
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "Death of Kwasind" is a classic poem that tells the tragic story of a hero's downfall. This poem is an excellent example of Longfellow's ability to weave together themes of heroism, tragedy, and redemption.
Overview of the Poem
"Death of Kwasind" begins with a description of the hero's legendary strength and his feats of courage. Kwasind is portrayed as a powerful figure, capable of feats that would be impossible for ordinary mortals. The first stanza sets the stage for the story to come:
Far and wide among the nations
Spread the name and fame of Kwasind;
No man dared to strive with Kwasind,
No man could compete with Kwasind.
The poem then takes a darker turn as we learn of Kwasind's tragic flaw: his pride. Despite his great strength and courage, Kwasind is unable to control his ego. He becomes arrogant and boastful, claiming that he is invincible and that no one can defeat him.
"Boast no more, O Kwasind," said he;
"Boasting is an empty pleasure,
Boastful words are not worth speaking!
Pride is but a wooden post.
This arrogance leads to Kwasind's downfall. He becomes careless and reckless, and eventually meets his end in a tragic and senseless manner.
Analysis of the Poem
"Death of Kwasind" is a powerful poem that explores themes of heroism, tragedy, and redemption. Longfellow uses vivid imagery and powerful language to create a sense of drama and intensity. The poem is full of contrasts, from the hero's great strength to his tragic downfall.
One of the key themes of the poem is heroism. Kwasind is portrayed as a larger-than-life figure, capable of feats that seem impossible. He is described as having the strength of ten men, and his courage is celebrated far and wide. Longfellow uses language that is full of energy and excitement, creating a sense of awe and admiration for the hero:
In the land of the Ojibways,
In the land of the Dacotahs,
Lived the warrior, Kwasind;
He the mightiest of warriors,
He the strongest, the most cunning,
He the bravest, born of woman.
However, this heroic image is soon shattered by Kwasind's tragic flaw: his pride. Despite his great strength and courage, Kwasind is unable to control his ego. He becomes arrogant and boastful, claiming that he is invincible and that no one can defeat him. This arrogance leads to his downfall, as he becomes careless and reckless.
Longfellow uses language that is full of irony and tragedy to convey this downfall. He shows us Kwasind's arrogance and pride, but also his vulnerability and weakness. The poem is full of images of death and destruction, as Kwasind meets his end in a senseless and tragic manner:
In the midst of the great meadow,
With his face turned to the heavens,
Sat the mighty Kwasind,
Speechless, motionless, and lifeless,
Dead he lay among the ruins
Of the village of the Dacotahs.
Despite this tragic ending, the poem also contains a message of redemption. Kwasind's downfall is a cautionary tale, warning us of the dangers of pride and arrogance. Longfellow suggests that we can learn from Kwasind's mistakes and strive to be better people. The poem ends on a hopeful note, with a message of love and compassion:
Then the people of the village
Made his grave upon the hillside,
And from his ashes built a fire,
In the forest deep and darksome,
And with ceremony solemn
Sat they round the mystic flame.
Conclusion
"Death of Kwasind" is a powerful and moving poem that explores themes of heroism, tragedy, and redemption. Longfellow's use of language and imagery creates a sense of drama and intensity, drawing the reader into the story. The poem is full of contrasts, from the hero's great strength to his tragic downfall. Ultimately, the poem serves as a cautionary tale, warning us of the dangers of pride and arrogance. However, it also contains a message of hope and redemption, suggesting that we can learn from our mistakes and strive to be better people.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Death of Kwasind: A Poetic Masterpiece by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, is known for his lyrical and narrative poems that capture the essence of American life and culture. His works are characterized by their vivid imagery, musicality, and emotional depth. Among his many notable works is the poem "The Death of Kwasind," which tells the story of a heroic Native American warrior who meets his demise in a tragic battle. In this article, we will explore the themes, symbolism, and literary devices used in this classic poem.
The poem begins with a description of Kwasind, a powerful and fearless warrior who is revered by his people for his strength and courage. Longfellow paints a vivid picture of Kwasind's physical prowess, describing him as "taller than all the trees of the forest, / Stronger than any of the beasts of the field." This imagery sets the stage for the epic battle that is to come, as Kwasind prepares to defend his people against their enemies.
As the battle begins, Kwasind fights with all his might, wielding his club with deadly force. The poem describes the sound of his blows as "the thunder of falling mountains," emphasizing the sheer power of his attacks. However, despite his best efforts, Kwasind is eventually overwhelmed by his foes, who "pressed him back on every side, / Till his feet were in the water, / Till the waves washed o'er his ankles." This image of Kwasind being pushed back into the water symbolizes his defeat and impending death.
Despite his defeat, Kwasind remains defiant to the end, refusing to surrender or retreat. Longfellow writes, "Still his enemies pressed him, / Till he backward staggered and stumbled, / Till he was faint with the labor." This passage highlights Kwasind's determination and resilience, even in the face of overwhelming odds. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of courage and perseverance in the face of adversity.
As Kwasind's strength begins to wane, he is finally struck down by his enemies. Longfellow describes his death in vivid detail, writing, "Down he sank in the water, / Down into the blackness beneath it, / Voiceless, unheard, unseen." This image of Kwasind sinking into the darkness symbolizes his passage into the afterlife, and serves as a powerful reminder of the transience of life and the inevitability of death.
Throughout the poem, Longfellow uses a variety of literary devices to enhance the emotional impact of the story. One of the most notable of these is repetition, which is used to emphasize key themes and ideas. For example, the phrase "taller than all the trees of the forest" is repeated several times throughout the poem, underscoring Kwasind's physical stature and strength. Similarly, the phrase "down he sank in the water" is repeated multiple times, emphasizing the finality of Kwasind's death.
Another literary device used in the poem is symbolism, which is used to convey deeper meanings and themes. For example, the image of Kwasind being pushed back into the water symbolizes his defeat and impending death, while the image of him sinking into the darkness represents his passage into the afterlife. These symbols serve to underscore the poem's themes of mortality, courage, and resilience.
In addition to its literary devices, the poem is also notable for its use of language and imagery. Longfellow's descriptions of Kwasind's physical prowess and the sound of his blows are particularly vivid, creating a sense of drama and excitement that draws the reader in. Similarly, his descriptions of Kwasind's death are haunting and evocative, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.
Overall, "The Death of Kwasind" is a powerful and moving poem that explores themes of mortality, courage, and resilience. Longfellow's use of literary devices, symbolism, and vivid imagery creates a sense of drama and emotional depth that makes the poem a true masterpiece of American literature. Whether read as a standalone work or as part of Longfellow's larger body of work, "The Death of Kwasind" is a must-read for anyone interested in the power and beauty of poetry.
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