A Psalm of Life is a Poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The life of the Author is discussed in this slide.

1. By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
(1807-1882)

2. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
was born on February 27, 1807 in
Portland, Maine. He was the son of
Stephen and Zilpah. He went to
school when he was three years
old. From the beginning, it was
evident that the young Henry was
to be drawn to writing and the
sound of words. His mother,
brothers and sisters read aloud to
him.

3. Cervantes “Don
Quixote” was the favorite
among the books he read but
the book which influenced
him most was Washington
Irving’s “Sketch Book”. In
May 1826, he set out for
Europe to turn himself into a
scholar and a linguist.

4. As a writer, Longfellow is probably
the best loved among American poets
during his lifetime since his poetry
had the gift of easy rhyme. He wrote
poetry with natural grace and melody
that’s why his rhyme and meter cling
to the readers’ mind. He has been
called America’s household poet. He
wrote about themes which appeals to
all kinds of people.

5. His poems are easily
understood and they get into the
consciousness of those who read
them because in them are joy,
optimism, and faith in the
goodness of life and God which
evoke immediate response in the
emotions of his readers. He died
on March 24, 1882.

8. B . Discussion.
What is a Psalm?
What is it usually about?

9. By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
(1807-1882)

16. Discussion
Questions

17. 1. What does
term “grave”
represent? If
the grave is
not life’s goal,
what then is
its goal?
2. Why are
words Art,
Time, Future,
Past, and
Present
capitalized?
What do they
symbolize?

18. 3. In the
fourth stanza,
what is the
person afraid
of?
4. Discuss the
connotative
meanings of
the following
lines on the
next page.

19. 5. According
to the poet,
what are we
supposed to
do as we go
on living?
Foot prints on
the sand of
time
Seeing, shall
take heart
again
Learn to labor
and to wait

20. 6. Which of
the stanzas
do you like
the most?
Why?
7. What
significant
lessons can
be gleaned
from the
poem?

23. By: Sarah Joy Delos
Santos
BEED IV-A