THE ARROW AND THE SONG

 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was one of the most widely known and best-loved American poets of the 19th century. Some of his poems are "Paul Revere's Ride", The Song of Hiawatha, and Evangeline. He was also the first American to translate Dante Alighieri's The Divine Comedy (Famous Italian Narrative Poem) and was one of the five members of the group known as the Fireside Poets. ( Their writing was a source of entertainment for families gathered around the fire at home. It followed strict moral and traditional values)

Summary and Analysis of the Poem

‘The Arrow and the Song’ by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is a short thoughtful poem about the impact of one’s actions, this is seen through the metaphors of an arrow and a song.

In the poem,” the speaker first talks about shooting an arrow into the air. This arrow represents hurtful, harsh, unkind words or actions. The arrow flies so fast that the speaker can't see where it lands, showing how hurtful words can reach and affect people in unexpected ways. When the arrow is later found stuck in a tree, it reminds us that harsh words can leave lasting damage.

Next, the poem describes the speaker singing a song into the air. This song stands for kind and loving words. Unlike the arrow, a song isn’t something you can see flying around, but it still makes an impact. The speaker later finds that the song is remembered and cherished by a friend, showing that kind words can have a positive, lasting effect.

Together, the poem teaches that while hurtful words can cause long-lasting harm, kind words and actions can create positive and lasting memories. It reminds us to be careful with our words and to choose kindness, as both can make a big difference in how others remember us.

Structure and Form

‘The Arrow and the Song’ by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is a three-stanza poem that is divided into sets of four lines, known as quatrains. These quatrains follow a simple rhyme scheme of AABB CCDD EEFF. 

The poet also chose to use iambic tetrameter in the poem. This means that each line contains four sets of two beats. The first of which is unstressed and the second of which is stressed.

Literary Devices

Alliteration: “So swiftly”, “follow the flight” and "Sight So",

Enjambment: It is the continuation of a sentence across a line break. 

It occurs in the last two lines of the first and second stanzas. Longfellow connects these lines internally by using this device.

Imagery: “I breathed a song into the air, / It fell to earth.” (It has an auditory effect)

"Long, long afterward, in an oak

I found the arrow, still unbroke;". 
It helps to trigger our sense of vision. 

Metaphor: 

The arrow represents harmful action and harsh words. The arrow is hard and sharp, and the verb "shot" brings to mind a violent act. The poet compares harsh words to an arrow that pierces the heart of the listener. 

The song Represents kind, warm, friendly, and soothing words. The poet compares polite words to medicine on wounds that provides comfort to the heart and mind of the listener. 

Question answers (Page Number: 78)

A. 1. The central theme of the poem is the impact and consequences of one’s words and 

deeds. This is conveyed through the symbols like arrow and song, which when let out, has 

consequences of its own. 

2. The poet, Henry Wardsworth Longfellow, is the speaker of the poem. 

3. a. An arrow that was shot by the poet. 

 b. He couldn’t follow it because he lost sight of it. 

4. a. A song

 b. The speaker did not know where the song fell as it is impossible to have a sight keen 

enough to follow the flight of the song. 

 c. Yes, he found it later in the heart of a friend. 

5. In an oak tree

B. 1. Both the arrow and the song fell in different places and each had different impacts. While 

the arrow had pricked the oak, the song had a soothing impact on his friend’s heart. This 

emphasises on the importance and consequences of every single deed and word of human 

beings. 

2. The arrow pierced the oak, and it was ‘unbroke’. It symbolises the harsh and cruel deeds and 

words one does. This remains unchanged in the heart of the receiver (oak), whereas, the song, 

which symbolises kind and pleasing words, can be found in a friend’s heart, bringing them

happiness and peace.