A work written well over a century and a half ago will often show its age, advocating, even as received wisdom, ideas that now seem awful. So why read such work? First off, much that was written then still can be insightful now. And there is no knowing which work holds up, often, without reading it ourselves. The Song of Hiawatha, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, was revered for generations. Something must be worthwhile in such a work. And indeed, to read such old works can serve as a window into a world long dissolved into history. It points out how people once saw things, and what they didn’t see about themselves, their worlds, their failings and strengths. It is hard to believe readers in the future will not see many such flaws in our own work, however proud we may be today.
So it is here. This is a huge poem by a white guy that cops native ideas, words, and culture for its own purposes. What truth about the natives may have existed then, we see reflected here perhaps only dimly. But it is possible to see that Longfellow respects his subjects, and honors them as best he can, as a noble people, with honor and humanity.
This poem had a huge impact when it came out. My grandfather memorized parts of it, loved it, and recited it back in the day. Many places in Minnesota derive their names from this poem. It presented natives as noble, honorable, curious, and brave, while adding a patina of romanticism, and powerful language, fun to contemplate and quote. “‘What is that,’ he said, ‘Nokomis?… That is but the owl and owlet, / talking in their native language.”
One thing to admire is how deeply Longfellow set his story in its setting. Minnesota was a remote, wild place at the time of this poem, but Longfellow brings it to life with vivid, beautiful language. The story contains much conflict and learning, with surprises and epiphanies. That makes the story very readable. Longfellow displays his skills.
But ultimately, Longfellow’s own biases twist and damage the poem. The hints of condescension and paternalism befoul his message. The sense of superiority, perhaps not even noticeable at the time, when the missionaries arrive near the end to educate, enlighten, and save the natives, jars me now. That attitude leads, perhaps inevitably, to the gratuitous smear of anti-Semitism in the last few pages. Oh, Henry, why did you do that?
I do believe works like this are worth reading. We come to know what was valued then, and what has changed. We are spurred to examine ourselves for our own blind spots and limitations. And we share with those who went before the love of beauty, the hope for a worthy future, and the dedication to the noble and good, however flawed we may be.
Happy Reading, Happy Writing,
P M F Johnson
Call of the Labyrinth, the latest novel in my Saga of Sinnesemota fantasy series, follows Rev and his fiancée Stara on a quest through a deadly jungle as they hunt the magical Labyrinth, hoping to reestablish peace in a time of war. You can find this rousing tale, as well as Disk of Dragons and Trollen Rose, the first novels in the series, on Amazon. Check them out.
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