Compare and Contrasting “Old Ironsides” and “the Village Blacksmith” An American myth is a story about a remarkable character who does incredible or heroic deeds. They also teach an important message. Two examples of an American myth are “The Village Blacksmith” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and “Old Ironsides” by Oliver Wendell Holmes. “Old Ironsides” is a poem about an old battleship that was supposed to be scrapped. “The Village Blacksmith” is another poem about a model citizen who works as a blacksmith. Although they have different subjects, both poems are about American myths because the subjects are remarkable characters who complete heroic events and teach a positive message.
The remarkable character in “Old Ironsides” is the battleship Old Ironsides, and the remarkable character in “The Village Blacksmith” is the blacksmith.
The smith, a mighty man is he, With large and sinewy hands;
And the muscles of his brawny arms Are strong as iron bands.
“His brow is wet with honest sweat”. (9) “He owes not any man.” (12) The blacksmith was strong, honest, and not in debt. People considered him the ideal citizen. Old Ironsides was the “eagle of the sea”. (16) The cannon balls were “the meteor of the ocean air”. (7) Many heroes died on the …show more content…
Old Ironsides’s deck was “where knelt the vanquished foe”. (10) The ship won every battle it was in. “The battle shout” and “the cannon’s roar” were heard every time the ship went into battle. (5-6) The blacksmith “goes on Sunday to the church”. (25) “With his hard rough hand he wipes / A tear out of his eyes” (35-36) People valued sensitivity, so crying would be considered an incredible event for the blacksmith to complete. He was also “toiling, --rejoicing, --sorrowing, / Onward through life he goes” (37-38) Old Ironsides and the blacksmith have very different feats. Old Ironsides was a powerful battleship, but the blacksmith was honest, religious, and
The remarkable character in “Old Ironsides” is the battleship Old Ironsides, and the remarkable character in “The Village Blacksmith” is the blacksmith.
The smith, a mighty man is he, With large and sinewy hands;
And the muscles of his brawny arms Are strong as iron bands.
“His brow is wet with honest sweat”. (9) “He owes not any man.” (12) The blacksmith was strong, honest, and not in debt. People considered him the ideal citizen. Old Ironsides was the “eagle of the sea”. (16) The cannon balls were “the meteor of the ocean air”. (7) Many heroes died on the …show more content…
Old Ironsides’s deck was “where knelt the vanquished foe”. (10) The ship won every battle it was in. “The battle shout” and “the cannon’s roar” were heard every time the ship went into battle. (5-6) The blacksmith “goes on Sunday to the church”. (25) “With his hard rough hand he wipes / A tear out of his eyes” (35-36) People valued sensitivity, so crying would be considered an incredible event for the blacksmith to complete. He was also “toiling, --rejoicing, --sorrowing, / Onward through life he goes” (37-38) Old Ironsides and the blacksmith have very different feats. Old Ironsides was a powerful battleship, but the blacksmith was honest, religious, and