Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882)

Originally published in 1847, I have an 1893 leatherbound, very used edition that I may have paid a "little" sum for from Abebooks.com online. But, as justification, this little book depicts the plight of the deportation and love lost and found of my ancestry, the Acadians, in poetry form. In this poem, Evangeline is separated from her love during the Great Deportation. She does eventually find him in America, after many of the Acadians found their way to Louisiana, but a little too late. He had found a new love and was married. This poem is well-known throughout our culture. Although, Evangeline is fictional, you will find a memorial and statue of her on the grounds of the St. Martin du Tours Catholic Church in St. Martinville, Louisiana. And you will also find a park on Bayou Teche, also in St. Martinville, with an old, beautiful oak tree named after her as well, "Evangeline Oak".… (mer)

These little books, sized and designed for use in classrooms by teachers of English language and literature, are a pure delight. This one is nicely presented by Ms. Kimpton, She writes a clear introduction and concludes with a three-part commentary: "The Indian and His Home", The Story of the Poem" and "The Poet Who Wrote 'Hiawatha'.". Thoughtful classroom exercises are included at key parts of the poem and at the end of the book.
In terms of the poem itself, there is much to think about and much that explains how the indigenous early North Americans thought about their living conditions. This reader, for one, is not proud of or happy about the arrival and behaviour of the "Paleface".… (mer)