Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born in 1807 in Portland Maine. He was named after his mothers brother who died in the navy. His family played a role in the American Revolution. They were also involved in New England politics. His great grand parents house was burnt down by the british during the revolution. His family also had the first piano in Portland Maine. His father was a lawyer that Graduated from Harvard. Henry started college when he was fourteen. But, when he turned fifteen he attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick. He then traveled to Europe to study languages in France, Spain, Italy, and Germany. After that he taught and wrote at harvard for eighteen years. Henry then married Mary Storer Potter and had five children with her. Some of his famous works are, Christmas Bells, Paul Revere's Ride, The Slaves Dream, and A Psalm of Life. Henry's life ended when he was seventy five in 1882.
Becalmed
By: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Becalmed means that a ship can not move because of the lack of wind. In this poem I believe that Henry is using the metaphor becalmed for a person who is at state of mind. In my opinion the speaker feels that their thoughts aren't going anywhere and they are not making progress with anything they do. When he says "Blow, breath of Inspiration, Blow!" I think he is comparing the wind to inspiration. I think this because he wants wind so that the boat can sail just like he wants inspiration to come so that he can make progress and not stay the same. Henry must of felt that he was not making any progress in his writing at this point in his career and he was waiting for inspiration to come just as the sail is waiting for wind to come. Then once the inspiration has come he will feel like a boat that is finally gliding across the ocean.
Becalmed
By: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Becalmed means that a ship can not move because of the lack of wind. In this poem I believe that Henry is using the metaphor becalmed for a person who is at state of mind. In my opinion the speaker feels that their thoughts aren't going anywhere and they are not making progress with anything they do. When he says "Blow, breath of Inspiration, Blow!" I think he is comparing the wind to inspiration. I think this because he wants wind so that the boat can sail just like he wants inspiration to come so that he can make progress and not stay the same. Henry must of felt that he was not making any progress in his writing at this point in his career and he was waiting for inspiration to come just as the sail is waiting for wind to come. Then once the inspiration has come he will feel like a boat that is finally gliding across the ocean.