This Week in Literature: Evangeline

This week we will discuss the use of the dactylic hexameter in epic poetry and begin reading the poem, "Evangeline."

"Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie" is an epic poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow published in 1847. It tells the story of Evangeline, an Acadian woman, and her search for her lost love, Gabriel, following their separation during the forced expulsion of the Acadians from Nova Scotia. The poem is renowned for its use of dactylic hexameter, a metrical pattern common in classical Greek and Latin poetry. 

Key aspects of "Evangeline" :

• Dactylic Hexameter:
  The dactylic hexameter used in "Evangeline" as a defining feature of the poem. This meter, consisting of six dactyls (a metrical foot with one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables), is characteristic of the poem's rhythmic flow. 

• Literary Devices and Themes:
  As we read the poem, we will analyse various literary devices employed in the poem, such as imagery, symbolism, and character development. We will also explores the poem's central themes, ncluding love, loss, resilience, and the historical context of the Acadian expulsion. 

• Character Analysis:
  We will discuss insights into the characters of Evangeline, Gabriel, and other figures in the poem, examining their motivations, relationships, and how they contribute to the overall narrative. 

• Poetic Style:
  We will analyze the poem's poetic style, including its use of descriptive language, lyrical passages, and the overall tone and atmosphere created by the poem. 

• Historical Context:
  Our survey of U.S. history class will further incorporate information about the historical backdrop of "Evangeline," including the real-life events of the Acadian expulsion and their influence on the poem's narrative and themes.