“Resignation” Vs. “After the Burial” “Resignation” by Longfellow and “After the Burial” by Lowell differ significantly in the treatment of the author’s daughters’ deaths. For example, Longfellow’s poem is hopeful, while Lowell’s is hopeless. Longfellow believes his daughter is protected in Heaven and that one day he will get to see her in “celestial grace.” He commands a positive outlook by boldly stating, “Let us be patient!” On the other hand, Lowell focuses on the sting of death and the fact that he will never see his daughter again on earth. He “finds in the deeps of darkness no footing so solid as doubt.” This exasperated statement shows how forlorn and miserable Lowell feels after his daughter’s passing.
Moreover, “Resignation” states that “thinking that our remembrance, though unspoken, may reach her where she lives,” which contrasts very strongly with “After the Burial.” In fact, “After the Burial” refers to memories as broken planks of the past. These differences show how the authors’ views on memories are opposite. Longfellow interprets memories as a connection; however, Lowell sees memories as painful reminders of his daughter’s passing. Overall, Longfellow’s “Resignation” is relatively positive on the …show more content…
For example, Lowell focuses on the legacy of a rich man compared to the legacy of a poor man. Throughout the duration of the poem, he discusses various benefits of being poor, such as “a poor man’s son inherits stout muscles and a sinewy heart.” Lowell also describes the son of a rich man as inheriting wants. “The Heritage” oscillates between the poor man’s views and the rich man’s views, illustrating two distinct paths of life. Lowell closes his poem by testifying, “both are heirs to some six feet of sod, equal in the earth at last.” He leaves the reader pondering how everyone becomes equal in the
Moreover, “Resignation” states that “thinking that our remembrance, though unspoken, may reach her where she lives,” which contrasts very strongly with “After the Burial.” In fact, “After the Burial” refers to memories as broken planks of the past. These differences show how the authors’ views on memories are opposite. Longfellow interprets memories as a connection; however, Lowell sees memories as painful reminders of his daughter’s passing. Overall, Longfellow’s “Resignation” is relatively positive on the …show more content…
For example, Lowell focuses on the legacy of a rich man compared to the legacy of a poor man. Throughout the duration of the poem, he discusses various benefits of being poor, such as “a poor man’s son inherits stout muscles and a sinewy heart.” Lowell also describes the son of a rich man as inheriting wants. “The Heritage” oscillates between the poor man’s views and the rich man’s views, illustrating two distinct paths of life. Lowell closes his poem by testifying, “both are heirs to some six feet of sod, equal in the earth at last.” He leaves the reader pondering how everyone becomes equal in the