Paul Revere’s Ride (Masterplots II: Poetry, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
- First Published: 1861
- Type of Work: Narrative
- Genres: Poetry, Narrative poetry
The Poem
For generations of readers, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “Paul Revere’s Ride” has defined the beginning of the American Revolution, and Revere has become an American hero. Longfellow’s primary concern was not historical accuracy, however; he portrays Revere as the only messenger, ignoring the equally important roles of William Dawes and other riders. From beginning to end, the poet consciously attempts to create a legend. Thus, in the first stanza, he adopts the persona of an older person transmitting a significant oral tradition to a younger generation...
[The entire page is 1631 words long]
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