The Song of Hiawatha

"The Song of Hiawatha" is an epic poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in the 1850s. It tells the fictional story of Hiawatha, a Native American hero, and his adventures among the Ojibwe tribe. The poem explores themes of nature, love, and the struggle between good and evil. It incorporates Native American myths and legends, emphasizing Hiawatha's quest for peace and unity among tribes. Longfellow used trochaic tetrameter, giving the poem a musical quality, and aimed to create a respectful representation of Indigenous culture, although it mixed oral traditions with Longfellow’s poetic style.