summary of a Psalm of life
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“A Psalm of Life” is an inspiring poem written by the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The poem was first published in the October 1838 issue of The Knickerbocker or New-York Monthly Magazine, a magazine published in the New York City.
A psalm is a religious or sacred song or hymn, in particular any of those contained in the biblical Book of Psalms and used in Christian and Jewish worship. But here the meaning of “a psalm of life” is a song of life, where the poet glorifies life and its possibilities. It is an invocation to mankind to follow the path of righteousness, the right way to live this life. The poem is didactic in tone.
The poem ‘A Psalm of Life’ often takes the subtitle “What the Heart of the Young Man Said to the Psalmist“. This is very important in suggesting the context of writing this poem. Here, the speaker (a young man) responds to the Biblical teachings that this human life is not important and that we are made of dust and eventually return to dust. So, we may take it as a psalm in response to a psalm.
In the poem, A Psalm of Life, the poet sees life from an optimistic outlook. To him this life is full of possibilities, as we can achieve higher goals by making the full use of our time and by working hard, and of course, by keeping faith in the power and potential of life. He does not have faith in those who hold the pessimistic view of life. Throughout the entire poem, the poet Longfellow conveys his view of life, instructs the readers to make the most out of this life, and inspires us to participate in the work and activity of life.
The poem consists of nine stanzas of four lines. The poem is also lyrical in nature. The rhyme scheme followed is A B A B, where the last words of the first line and the third line rhyme, and alternatively the second and the fourth line rhyme in each stanza.
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Answer:
The subtitle frames the poem as a dramatic monologue spoken by a young man's heart to a composer of Biblical psalms.
First, the speaker begs the psalmist not to sing to him in numerous, sorrowful ways about how life is empty and unreal. In the speaker's opinion, the soul that passively experiences life is essentially dead. Moreover, one shouldn't assume that life is merely how it seems from a certain Christian perspective—that it's just a precursor to eternal life after death.
Life, the speaker demands, is very much real and full of meaning. Life, the speaker adds, is sincere and intense. The meaning of life is not simply death. The Christian saying of "dust to dust," which states that humans come from the earth—or "dust"—and return to dust upon death, only refers to the body and not the soul—so the soul should be full of life.
It is not indulgence or misery that should be humanity's destiny or goal. Rather, the speaker declares, humans should act in such a manner that creates progress day by day.
Acts and products of human creativity last a long time; however, time passes quickly. While human hearts may be strong and courageous, nevertheless they beat like quieted drums within bodies. Ultimately, with each beat, they bring humans closer to their death. Therefore, the songs these hearts produce are like funeral marches.
The speaker then compares the world to a great battlefield. Life, he adds, is like a temporary camp without shelter. Therefore, the speaker commands, don't be like silent cattle who are herded about. Rather, be a hero amidst the conflict of life.
Don't place any certainty, the speaker advises, in the future, no matter how positive the future may seem. Additionally, don't dwell on the past. Rather, the speaker suggests, one should live in the present, wholeheartedly and in plain view of God who watches approvingly above in Heaven.
The way that great men have lived their lives inspires and reminds other individuals to consciously live in a godly and spiritual manner. Moreover, the speaker adds, when these individuals die, they will leave traces of their lives behind.
These remnants and memories of godly and spiritual lives can go on to inspire others who might also be progressing over the great ocean of life. These other individuals might feel miserable, abandoned, and lost in this ocean. However, upon seeing examples of godly and spiritual lives, they will be inspired and saved.
Therefore, all of humanity, the speaker advises, should seize the day. Moreover, they must live life wholeheartedly and fearlessly. While making progress and seeking improvement, humans will learn to struggle and apply themselves, as well as have patience.
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