The Courtship of Miles Standish: Analysis of Setting
"The Courtship of Miles Standish" is a narrative poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow that explores themes of love and courtship within the historical context of early American colonial life. The setting is primarily Plymouth, the first English settlement in North America, situated on land previously occupied by the Pawtuxet Indians. Longfellow paints a vivid picture of this village, characterized by its rugged coastline and scattered wooded areas, which contribute to the sense of isolation and resilience among the colonists. The poem also highlights a wheat field, symbolizing both sustenance and the dangers posed by local Native Americans, as it was planted over the graves of settlers who perished during a harsh winter. This field serves as a poignant reminder of loss and the community's struggles for survival. The imagery of Plymouth Rock encapsulates a dual sentiment of hope and permanence for characters like John Alden, grounding their aspirations in the harsh realities of frontier life. Overall, the setting plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative, reflecting both the challenges and the tenacity of those early settlers.
The Courtship of Miles Standish: Analysis of Setting
First published: 1858
Type of work: Poetry
Type of plot: Sentimental
Time of work: 1621
Asterisk denotes entries on real places.
Places Discussed
*Plymouth
*Plymouth. First English settlement in North America. A village at the time in which this poem is set, Plymouth was built on the vacant townsite of the Pawtuxet Indians on the southeast coast of what became Massachusetts. Longfellow describes the village in such a way as to make the reader feel a part of it. The site’s earlier Pawtuxet occupants died from smallpox, which had apparently been contracted though contact with English fishermen in the area. The wooded areas mentioned indicate the widely scattered nature of the settlement, allowing room for gardens and growth, both of which were vital to the frontier setting.
Longfellow uses the region’s rugged coastline to establish a feeling of finality among Plymouth’s colonists. The rocks, especially famous Plymouth Rock, represent both stability and hope for John Alden.
Wheat field
Wheat field. Longfellow’s use of this field is a constant reminder of the danger posed by local Native Americans. In early 1621 the field was planted over the graves of settlers who had died during the winter, supposedly so that the Indians would not know how many English settlers had perished. This dead reportedly included Rose Standish, the wife of Miles Standish, and most of the family of Priscilla Mullins.
Bibliography
Arvin, Newton. Longfellow: His Life and Work. Boston: Little, Brown, 1963. Sees The Courtship of Miles Standish as an unpretentious domestic comedy, presented with simple truthfulness, appropriate Puritan coloration, and biblical imagery.
Ferguson, Robert A. “Longfellow’s Political Fears: Civic Authority and the Role of the Artist in Hiawatha and Miles Standish.” American Literature 50 (May, 1978): 187-215. Interprets John Alden as representing both the helpless, authority-fearing artist and the personally conflicted Longfellow himself. Interprets Miles Standish’s admiration for Julius Caesar as intended to be an unpleasant characteristic.
Wagenknecht, Edward. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: His Poetry and Prose. New York: Ungar, 1986. Praises The Courtship of Miles Standish for its faultless narrative flow, skillfully evoked atmosphere, unfaltering plot elements, and detailed, realistically presented, and developed characters. Asserts that the work neatly balances comedy and serious drama.
Williams, Alicia Crane. “John and Priscilla, We Hardly Knew Ye.” American History Illustrated 23 (December, 1988): 40-47. Explains that, although John Alden and Priscilla Mullins were elevated by Longfellow to legendary status, biographical information concerning the real pair is sketchy. John, a cooper who became a civil officer, and Priscilla, who inherited considerable money, married about 1623 and by 1650 had eleven children.
Williams, Cecil B. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. New York: Twayne, 1964. Provides a detailed plot summary of The Courtship of Miles Standish that includes carefully chosen quotations. Extols the work as part of America’s cultural heritage and refers to Longfellow’s journals for details about the work’s composition.