“All are architects of fate, working in these walls of time” (Longfellow 1-4). Henry Wadsworth Longfellow illustrates the individualistic ideas that were common during the 19th century in his poem “The Builders”. He uses the imagery of making buildings to show how people create their futures. However, his ideas of individualism seem lonely and appear to lack any religious ideas, specifically those of Christianity. If people are focused on building their future by themselves, they miss the most important aspects of life: family and faith. The first example of how Longfellow dismisses religion as a part of building the future is when he talks about gods being a thing of the past.
“In the elder days of Art, builders wrought with greatest care each minute and unseen part for the gods see everywhere” (Longfellow 20-24). If I could, I would ask Henry Wadsworth Longfellow what his thoughts were on religion. However, I can only try to presume his opinion on this subject through looking at his poetry. From this particular stanza, Longfellow seems to say that religion and God is something of the past or that people focusing their lives on religion is something of the past. However, he contradicts himself when he states in the next stanza that we should …show more content…
The use of the word “alone” paints a strong picture of a dog-eat-dog world where everyone is desperately trying to achieve their goals. The world “alone” also excludes the idea of God. This world that Longfellow is encouraging people to create looks like a lonely one where everyone is looking out for themselves and where God is not involved in any way. I wouldn’t want to live in that kind of world. However, I’m sure that some people find that kind of a world appealing. The final example of Longfellow’s exclusion of god and religion is in his focus on the individual creating their
“In the elder days of Art, builders wrought with greatest care each minute and unseen part for the gods see everywhere” (Longfellow 20-24). If I could, I would ask Henry Wadsworth Longfellow what his thoughts were on religion. However, I can only try to presume his opinion on this subject through looking at his poetry. From this particular stanza, Longfellow seems to say that religion and God is something of the past or that people focusing their lives on religion is something of the past. However, he contradicts himself when he states in the next stanza that we should …show more content…
The use of the word “alone” paints a strong picture of a dog-eat-dog world where everyone is desperately trying to achieve their goals. The world “alone” also excludes the idea of God. This world that Longfellow is encouraging people to create looks like a lonely one where everyone is looking out for themselves and where God is not involved in any way. I wouldn’t want to live in that kind of world. However, I’m sure that some people find that kind of a world appealing. The final example of Longfellow’s exclusion of god and religion is in his focus on the individual creating their