Student Question
What brings happiness to the village blacksmith?
Quick answer:
The village blacksmith finds happiness in honest work and providing for his family. His greatest joy comes from hearing his daughter sing in the church choir, as her voice reminds him of his deceased wife's. Despite his sorrow, he takes pride in living life on his terms and being debt-free, which allows him to face the world confidently. This balance of toil, joy, and sorrow brings him profound happiness.
The village blacksmith is a single father raising a family by himself. His greatest happiness lies in his ability to engage in honest work to provide for his family and on Sunday, to hear his daughter sing in the church choir. Her voice gives him great pleasure because it reminds him of the voice of his beloved wife, who is deceased. He imagines that the girl's mother is singing in heaven when he hears his daughter.
The blacksmith knows that he can look 'the whole world in the face/For he owes not any man.' Although he is sad that his wife is no longer with him, he can rejoice in the ability to live life on his terms, 'Toiling,—rejoicing,—sorrowing,/ Onward through life he goes...' This brings him much happiness.
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