Week 1 — Introduction and Books I-IV

[Susan]

This week’s reading includes:

Introduction
I — The Peace Pipe
II — The Four Winds
III — Hiawatha’s Childhood
IV — Hiawatha and Mudjekeewis

Introduction — The poem begins with a poetic account of the origin of these stories and invites certain types of readers: “You who love the haunts of Nature,” “Ye who love a nation’s legends,” “You whose hearts are fresh and simple,” and “Ye…[who] pause by some neglected graveyard/For a while to muse, and ponder…”

The Peace Pipe — Gitche Manito, the Great Spirit, signals the tribes to gather, lay down their weapons, and smoke the peace-pipe together. He promises to “send a Prophet to you,/A Deliverer of the nations/Who shall guide you and shall teach you,/Who shall toil and suffer with you.” Is this prophet Hiawatha?

The Four Winds — Mudjekeewis battles Mishe-Mokwa “the Great Bear of the mountains”and becomes “the Father of the Winds of Heaven” and the West Wind. Amazing stories are told about the other three winds, all children of Mudjekeewis (and brothers to Hiawatha).

Hiawatha’s Childhood — Nokomis falls from the moon, and her daughter Wenonah is seduced by the West Wind, has a son Hiawatha, and dies of sorrow after being deserted. We finally get to the famous lines “By the shores of Gitche Gumee,/By the shining Big-Sea-Water,/Stood the wigwam of Nokomis…”. Hiawatha is raised by his grandmother to know the ways of the birds and animals and learns to hunt.

Hiawatha and Mudjekeewis — Hiawatha goes to meet his father, who is delighted to see him. But Hiawatha wants to avenge his mother, and there is another epic battle. There’s also a hint of a developing love interest.

Some questions:

—Is Hiawatha going to become the prophet promised by Gitche Manito in the first section of the poem? Does his background and upbringing prepare him for the role?

—The poem weaves together the story of our hero Hiawatha with numerous other myths/legends. Did any of these other stories stand out for you?

—What are your initial thoughts about the language of the poem?

[Mike]

Looking through the lens of a vegan, I found the story of Hiawatha’s first hunt interesting. With all of his animal friends crying out to him not to shoot them I was thinking that he would end up not killing anything.

[Mike]

The language of the poem is easy to understand but not being familiar with the context of it, it can be confusing to keep all the names and relationships straight in my head while reading it. I am a fan of epic poems and think they are a great way to communicate the values of an age and its people.

[Monica]

Regarding the native stories, I was able to find some sites mentioning the episode of Mudjekeewis fight with the bear but it was different from the poem. Also the story of Nokomis has several versions with some elements similar to the poem. Same regarding the west wind keeper.

Unfortunately, although I love myths and legends in general, I do not know native north american legends very well. I would really appreciate if anyone may give any indication of good sites and/or books about it.

[Tamara]

Monica wrote: "Unfortunately, although I love myths and legends in general, I do not know native north american legends very well. I would really appreciate if anyone may give any indication of good sites and/or books about it..."

Many years ago, I developed a college level course on Native American myths and legends. I used American Indian Myths and Legends by Richard Erdoes as a text. If you're looking for secondary sources on the subject, one of the most informative and interesting was The Sacred Hoop: Recovering the Feminine in American Indian Traditions by Paula Gunn Allen. It's an oldie but goodie.

I'm sure there are some more recent works that have come out since I taught the course many moons ago, but these are the ones that impacted me the most at the time. I hope this helps.

[Tamara]

I’ve been reading this aloud to myself partly because I think poetry should be read aloud and partly because I love mouthing the words and bouncing along with its rhythm of a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable. The metrical pattern invites reading aloud so one can hear the words as well as sound them out.

On an unrelated note: I love how Nokomis demystifies the sights and sounds in nature for Hiawatha. As a result of her explanations, Hiawatha's initial fear of nature evaporates. He connects with nature, embracing animals as his “chickens,” and “brothers.” He is at one with nature and no longer alienated from it.

[Chris]

I also like reading the poem out loud. I did get a little confused about the relationships at times. So, Hiawatha's brothers are by a different mother? The poem makes it sound as if Wenonah only had the one child Hiawatha before she died. Were the others more divine in nature and Hiawatha mortal? And these siblings are all so different. I found the descriptions of them very interesting.

On a completely different track when I read the "lecturing" of the Great Spirit to the tribes. I thought boy not much has changed in the world. We (mankind) are not contented, we do hunt one another, quarrel, make war, seek vengeance, wrangle and dissent. He wisely says All your strength is in your union, all your danger is in discord.

[Roger]

Consider this excerpt from section IV:

To the doorways of the West-Wind,
To the portals of the Sunset,
To the earth's remotest border,
Where into the empty spaces
Sinks the sun, as a flamingo
Drops into her nest at nightfall,
In the melancholy marshes.

The simile is worthy of Homeric epic, but the repetition is not. Also, the shorter lines seem less elevated and remote than Milton's pentameter or Homer's hexameter. But the steady beat of unrhymed trochaic tetrameter still has dignity and the feel of epic seriousness. I guess Longfellow wanted a simpler epic form suitable to unspoiled, unlettered native people.

[Kerstin]

So far I find it beautiful.

[Monica]

Tamara wrote: "Many years ago, I developed a college level course on Native American myths and legends. I used American Indian Myths and Legends by Richard Erdoes as a text..."

Thank you so much, Tamara! I will try to find these books! At least, I certainly included them in my "to read" ever growing list...

[Monica]

Roger wrote: "Consider this excerpt from section IV:

To the doorways of the West-Wind,
To the portals of the Sunset,
To the earth's remotest border,..."

I have read somewhere that Longfellow thought that the trochaic tetrameter would be kind of similar to the rhythm Ojibwe people use in oral retelling of these legends.

[Susan]

Mike wrote: "Looking through the lens of a vegan, I found the story of Hiawatha’s first hunt interesting. With all of his animal friends crying out to him not to shoot them I was thinking that he would end up n..."

I was struck by this sequence, too. There is certainly an apparent tension between calling all the animals “Hiawatha’s Brothers” and going out to kill one of them. I wondered if it might be considered a rite of passage to manhood for Hiawatha to go hunting successfully on his own.

[Susan]

Monica wrote: "Regarding the native stories, I was able to find some sites mentioning the episode of Mudjekeewis fight with the bear but it was different from the poem. Also the story of Nokomis has several versi..."

My understanding is that Hiawatha is based mostly on the stories and legends of the tribe known as Ojibwe or Chippewa. Longfellow drew from books written by a man named Henry Schoolcraft who collected the stories. Some of his books are available through Project Gutenberg. Like many dramatic writers, Longfellow sometimes made changes for the purposes of his poem.

[Susan]

Tamara wrote: "Many years ago, I developed a college level course on Native American myths and legends. I used American Indian Myths and Legends by Richard Erdoes as a text. If you're looking for secondary sources on the subject, one of the most informative and interesting was The Sacred Hoop: Recovering the Feminine in American Indian Traditions by Paula Gunn Allen. It's an oldie but goodie. .."

Thanks, Tamara. These are great resources to have for additional reading

[Susan]

Susanna wrote: "Because of his last name, I thought Longfellow was Native American, but apparently not. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_W..."

Yes, Longfellow was not a Native American. I’ve read that he did know some Native Americans and may have drawn from conversations with them in writing the poem, but his main source seems to be the Native American stories collected by a man called Henry Schoolcraft.

[Susan]

Tamara wrote: ". On an unrelated note: I love how Nokomis demystifies the sights and sounds in nature for Hiawatha. As a result of her explanations, Hiawatha's initial fear of nature evaporates. He connects with nature, embracing animals as his “chickens,” and “brothers.” He is at one with nature and no longer alienated from it.
.."

This section reminded me of the Introduction’s welcome to “You who love the haunts of nature”. In addition to the accounts of the animals and birds, there’s the story of the Northern Lights and the beautiful account about the origin of the rainbow. As a nature lover, this was my favorite section of this reading.

[Tamara]

Susan wrote: "There is certainly an apparent tension between calling all the animals “Hiawatha’s Brothers” and going out to kill one of them.."

Many Native American myths depict a reciprocal relationship between humans and animals. Some stories show the animals willingly allowing themselves to be killed in order for the tribe to survive. In exchange, humans show gratitude to the animal through ritual, promise to treat the animal with respect, use every piece of the animal either for food or clothing or tools, i.e. not let anything go to waste, and agree not to overkill the species so it can survive. It's a bit like a pact they make with each other. They would never consider slaughtering an animal for sport.

[Susan]

Chris wrote: "I also like reading the poem out loud. I did get a little confused about the relationships at times. So, Hiawatha's brothers are by a different mother? The poem makes it sound as if Wenonah only ha..."

Yes, it does appear that Mudjekeewis is a wind of many relationships. That’s a great question whether Hiawatha is divine or mortal. His grandmother fell from the moon, and his father is the West Wind, his brothers are the other winds. Hiawatha can outrun an arrow. And he can fight the wind to a standstill. Maybe he is partly divine, partly mortal?

[Susan]

Chris wrote: "On a completely different track when I read the "lecturing" of the Great Spirit to the tribes. I thought boy not much has changed in the world. We (mankind) are not contented, we do hunt one another, quarrel, make war, seek vengeance, wrangle and dissent. He wisely says All your strength is in your union, all your danger is in discord. .."

Timeless advice that maybe has a special resonance right now…it did for me

[Susan]

Roger wrote: "The simile is worthy of Homeric epic, but the repetition is not. Also, the shorter lines seem less elevated and remote than Milton's pentameter or Homer's hexameter. But the steady beat of unrhymed trochaic tetrameter still has dignity and the feel of epic seriousness.”

From what I’ve read, in writing Hiawatha, Longfellow was influenced by a recent translation of the Finnish epic and collection of folk tales, Kalevala, which was written in trochaic tetrameter, using deliberate repetitions and alliteration. And as Monica noted, he was also influenced by Native American rhythms and repetitions. I agree with you that the form provides a feeling of dignity and seriousness, without being heavy.

Your comment had me looking in my references on poetic form, and you might be interested in a quote that I found in Poetry Handbook: A Dictionary of Terms by Babette Deutsch. She writes: “Experiments with [Greek] quantitative verse in English have been only moderately successful. They are apt to illustrate Longfellow’s description of one of his own efforts as verse in which the English Muse moves like ‘a prisoner dancing to the music of his chains.’”.

[Susan]

Kerstin wrote: "So far I find it beautiful."

I do, too. I wasn’t as surprised by the beauty as I was by the humor. I won’t forget the dandelion story ;).

[Susan]

Tamara wrote: “ Many Native American myths depict a reciprocal relationship between humans and animals. Some stories show the animals willingly allowing themselves to be killed in order for the tribe to survive. In exchange, humans show gratitude to the animal through ritual, promise to treat the animal with respect, use every piece of the animal either for food or clothing or tools, i.e. not let anything go to waste, and agree not to overkill the species so it can survive. It's a bit like a pact they make with each other. They would never consider slaughtering an animal for sport. ..."

Thanks, Tamara, for this helpful background. The poem seems to reflect that attitude without actually explaining it, showing without telling.

[Kerstin]

Tamara wrote: "Many Native American myths depict a reciprocal relationship between humans and animals. Some stories show the animals willingly allowing themselves to be killed in order for the tribe to survive. In exchange, humans show gratitude to the animal through ritual, promise to treat the animal with respect, use every piece of the animal either for food or clothing or tools, i.e. not let anything go to waste, and agree not to overkill the species so it can survive. It's a bit like a pact they make with each other. They would never consider slaughtering an animal for sport."

It also shows that Hiawatha can survive in the wilderness and can provide for himself and others.

[Lily]

Roger wrote: "I guess Longfellow wanted a simpler epic form suitable to unspoiled, unlettered native people...."

Longfellow wasn't Homer or Milton or ... But, to write of Indian legends before respect for languages soon to be mostly lost can certainly be commended.

[Susan]

Susanna wrote: "Susan wrote "I do, too. I wasn’t as surprised by the beauty as I was by the humor. I won’t forget the dandelion story ;)."

Yes, I really wondered who the blonde maiden was."

I did, too, especially after the other stories about maidens in a meadow. I was glad this one had a happier ending

[Susan]

Kerstin wrote: "It also shows that Hiawatha can survive in the wilderness and can provide for himself and others."

If the shooting of the deer was a test, Hiawatha passed it with flying colors. ;) By the end of this first reading, I thought Hiawatha had grown into a powerful but respectful young man

[Susan]

Lily wrote: "But, to write of Indian legends before respect for languages soon to be mostly lost can certainly be commended. "

I’m coming to think an indirect benefit of reading Hiawatha is gaining a small vocabulary of Ojibwe/Chippewa words. ;). They certainly contribute greatly to the musicality of the poem.

[Monica]

Susan wrote: "Lily wrote: "But, to write of Indian legends before respect for languages soon to be mostly lost can certainly be commended. "

I’m coming to think an indirect benefit of reading Hiawatha is gainin..."

Yes, entering in contact with a native language is an exquisite benefit! For instance, I have learnt that Ojibwe grammar diferentiates between animate and inanimate categories - in Japanese too! Unfortunately Ojibwe language is classified as severely endangered of extinction by UNESCO.

[Emil]

Roger wrote: "...The simile is worthy of Homeric epic, but the repetition is not. Also, the shorter lines seem less elevated and remote than Milton's pentameter or Homer's hexameter. But the steady beat of unrhymed trochaic tetrameter still has dignity and the feel of epic seriousness. I guess Longfellow wanted a simpler epic form suitable to unspoiled, unlettered native people..."

Let's forget about Milton and Homer, consider the he Witches' Chant in Macbeth:

Double, double, toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.

Cool it with a baboon's blood,
Then the charm is firm and good.

Like in Macbeth, the trochaic tetrameter makes the poem sound hypnotic, like an incantation. This must be the main reason Longfellow used it. I think that's the perfect choice, I can almost hear the Ojibwe dancing drum.
To the doorways of the West-Wind,
DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM da

[Monica]

Emil wrote: "I can almost hear the Ojibwe dancing drum..."

Exactly, I experience the same thing. While I read, I certainly hear the drums and, without noticing, I start to read aloud - almost chanting it.

Excellent memory to link this with the witches of Macbeth!

[Donnally]

Susan wrote: " in writing Hiawatha, Longfellow was influenced by a recent translation of the Finnish epic and collection of folk tales, Kalevala, which was written in trochaic tetrameter, using deliberate repetitions and alliteration.."

Personally, I find it incredibly monotonous.

[Tamara]

Monica wrote: "Emil wrote: "I can almost hear the Ojibwe dancing drum..."

Exactly, I experience the same thing. While I read, I certainly hear the drums and, without noticing, I start to read aloud - almost chan..."

I'm with Monica. I can almost hear the drums beating in the background as I read it aloud. I love the sound of it.

Great connection with the witches in Macbeth, Emil.

[Susan]

I find the beat hypnotic, too. I was a bit afraid I might start talking in trochaic tetrameter after reading Hiawatha. So far, those around me have been spared that experience ;).

[Susan]

Donnally wrote: "Personally, I find it incredibly monotonous...". I think repetition that often works well when something is recited to the listener can be less effective when read on the page. The repeating choruses of folk songs, for example.

[Donnally]

Susan wrote: "Donnally wrote: "Personally, I find it incredibly monotonous...". I think repetition that often works well when something is recited to the listener can be less effective when read on the page. The repeating choruses of folk songs, for example."

That's a good point, which is exactly why those repeating choruses tend to get printed like this:

"A short shift wearing and locks blowing free
As the last wind ere moonrise now sets about blowing,
Is it the one that looketh for me?
Who do I see through the long grass going
With a hey and a ho, and a nonny nonny no,
The rain doth rain and the wind doth blow.

Bright shines the moon, I see her more clear
She’s come to the hazels to meet one she knows,
Full shapely her feet as she treads the ground near
And oh, as she comes, the more my love grows.
With a hey and a ho . . .

We lie ‘neath the lindens, o’erloathe to awake
Resting at noon-tide till roused from our sleep
I gaze unmoving, held for love’s sake,
Whilst wand’ring the fowls and restless the sheep.
With a hey and a ho . . .

O friend of my soul than which none can come nigher
Thou art the sun’s kiss and the sweetness of May,
I’ll follow thee o’er all the rocks and the fire
For thou art my love till Earth waneth away.
With a hey and a ho, and a nonny nonny no,
My song is done, now must I go.

I wish there were a similar quick fix for Hiawatha.

[Kerstin]

Emil wrote: "Let's forget about Milton and Homer, consider the he Witches' Chant in Macbeth"

I've read some of Shakespeare, but Macbeth I've yet to tackle...