“Footsteps of Angels” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Footsteps of Angels” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“Footsteps of Angels” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, first published in 1858 in the collection Birds of Passage,  is popular for its serene and contemplative tone, exploring the themes of love, memory, and the comforting presence of loved ones who have passed away. The poem’s gentle rhythm and soothing imagery evoke a sense of peace and reassurance, while its exploration of the human experience makes it a timeless and relatable work of literature. The qualities of the poem that have made it enduringly popular include its accessible language, rich symbolism, and the poet’s masterful use of meter and rhyme to create a sense of musicality and flow.

Text: “Footsteps of Angels” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

When the hours of Day are numbered,
  And the voices of the Night
Wake the better soul, that slumbered,
  To a holy, calm delight; 

Ere the evening lamps are lighted,
  And, like phantoms grim and tall,
Shadows from the fitful firelight
  Dance upon the parlor wall; 

Then the forms of the departed
  Enter at the open door;
The beloved, the true-hearted,
  Come to visit me once more; 

He, the young and strong, who cherished
  Noble longings for the strife,
By the roadside fell and perished,
  Weary with the march of life! 

They, the holy ones and weakly,
  Who the cross of suffering bore,
Folded their pale hands so meekly,
  Spake with us on earth no more! 

And with them the Being Beauteous,
  Who unto my youth was given,
More than all things else to love me,
  And is now a saint in heaven. 

With a slow and noiseless footstep
  Comes that messenger divine,
Takes the vacant chair beside me,
  Lays her gentle hand in mine. 

And she sits and gazes at me
  With those deep and tender eyes,
Like the stars, so still and saint-like,
  Looking downward from the skies. 

Uttered not, yet comprehended,
  Is the spirit’s voiceless prayer,
Soft rebukes, in blessings ended,
  Breathing from her lips of air. 

Oh, though oft depressed and lonely,
  All my fears are laid aside,
If I but remember only
  Such as these have lived and died!

Annotations: “Footsteps of Angels” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Stanza	Content
1	Describes the transition from Day to Night, where the voices of the night awaken the soul.
2	Depicts the setting of the evening, with the anticipation of lamps being lit and shadows dancing.
3	Reflects on the presence of departed loved ones entering through an open door.
4	Mourns the loss of individuals who faced struggles and hardships in life.
5	Mentions the presence of someone cherished in youth who is now a saint in heaven.
6	Describes the arrival of a divine messenger who sits beside the speaker in silence.
7	Portrays the messenger’s gaze as deep and saint-like, conveying unspoken understanding.
8	Implies the communication of the spirit through silent prayers and blessings.
9	Concludes with a sense of comfort and reassurance in the remembrance of departed loved ones.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Footsteps of Angels” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Device	Example	Explanation
Alliteration	“Fitful firelight”	Repetition of consonant sounds, creating rhythm and emphasis.
Allusion	“Being Beauteous”	Reference to a well-known figure or event, in this case, a beautiful being.
Anaphora	“And with them…”	Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, emphasizing connected ideas.
Assonance	“Soft rebukes”	Repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words, creating musicality.
Consonance	“Grim and tall”	Repetition of consonant sounds at the end of words, adding harmony and rhythm.
Enjambment	“To a holy, calm delight; Ere the evening…”	Continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line or stanza, enhancing flow and tension.
Imagery	“Dance upon the parlor wall”	Description that appeals to the senses, creating vivid mental images.
Metaphor	“Like phantoms”	Implied comparison between two unlike things, suggesting an eerie or ghostly presence.
Personification	“Evening lamps are lighted”	Attribution of human qualities to inanimate objects, enhancing the atmosphere.
Repetition	“Soft rebukes, in blessings ended”	Repeating words or phrases for emphasis, reinforcing themes or ideas.
Rhyme Scheme	“Delight… lighted… wall”	Pattern of rhyme at the end of lines, contributing to the poem’s musicality.
Simile	“Like the stars”	Comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as,” highlighting the serene gaze of the messenger.
Symbolism	“Evening lamps”	Use of objects to represent abstract ideas, suggesting the transition from day to night and illumination.
Synecdoche	“The fitful firelight”	Use of a part to represent the whole, invoking the atmosphere of the room.
Tone	“Holy, calm delight”	Author’s attitude or feeling towards the subject, conveying reverence and tranquility.
Enjambment	“Once more; He, the young…”	Continuation of a sentence beyond the end of a line or stanza, creating fluidity and narrative momentum.
Metonymy	“March of life”	Substitution of a word with one closely associated with it, indicating the journey and struggles of life.
Onomatopoeia	“Footsteps”	Use of words that imitate the sound they represent, enhancing the auditory experience.
Parallelism	“Folded their pale hands so meekly”	Repetition of grammatical structure or pattern, emphasizing the humility and resignation of the departed.
Oxymoron	“Holy, calm delight”	Contradictory terms placed together for emphasis, suggesting a peaceful yet sacred joy.

Themes: “Footsteps of Angels” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

1. Mortality and Transcendence: Longfellow explores the themes of mortality and the transcendence of the human spirit beyond physical existence. The poem reflects on the passage of time and the inevitability of death, yet it also suggests that the souls of departed loved ones continue to exist in a realm beyond the earthly. For instance, the stanza “He, the young and strong, who cherished / Noble longings for the strife, / By the roadside fell and perished” speaks to the mortality of youth and the suddenness of death. Despite this, the presence of the departed, such as the “Being Beauteous,” suggests a belief in the enduring nature of the soul and its journey beyond life.
2. Memory and Remembrance: Another prominent theme is memory and the act of remembrance. The speaker finds solace in recalling the presence and impact of those who have passed away. Lines like “Folded their pale hands so meekly, / Spake with us on earth no more!” evoke the gentle memory of loved ones and their mannerisms. The poem emphasizes the importance of keeping the memory of the departed alive, as seen in the lines “If I but remember only / Such as these have lived and died!” Memory becomes a source of comfort and connection with the past, allowing the speaker to feel less alone in their grief.
3. Divine Presence and Comfort: “Footsteps of Angels” also explores the theme of divine presence and comfort in times of sorrow. The poem portrays the arrival of a “messenger divine” who sits beside the speaker, offering solace and understanding. Through imagery such as “With those deep and tender eyes, / Like the stars, so still and saint-like,” the poem conveys a sense of divine grace and compassion. The presence of the messenger symbolizes the belief in spiritual guidance and support, providing reassurance amid moments of loneliness and despair.
4. Existential Reflection and Acceptance: Longfellow’s poem delves into existential reflection and acceptance of life’s mysteries and uncertainties. The speaker contemplates the fleeting nature of existence and the complexities of human experience. Lines like “Uttered not, yet comprehended, / Is the spirit’s voiceless prayer” suggest a deep understanding that transcends verbal communication. The poem acknowledges the struggles and challenges of life, yet ultimately finds peace and acceptance in the presence of divine and eternal truths. Through introspection and contemplation, the speaker grapples with existential questions and finds solace in the enduring legacy of love and memory.

Literary Theories and “Footsteps of Angels” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Literary Theory	Example from the Poem	Explanation
Symbolism	“the evening lamps”, “phantoms grim and tall”, “the cross of suffering”	Longfellow uses symbols to convey deeper meanings. Lamps represent guidance, phantoms represent fears, and the cross represents suffering and redemption.
Romanticism	“holy, calm delight”, “Being Beauteous”, “tender eyes”, “saint in heaven”	The poem exhibits Romantic qualities through its focus on emotion, beauty, and the spiritual. The use of words like “holy”, “Beauteous”, and “saint” emphasizes the poet’s reverence for the divine.
Grief and Mourning	“the forms of the departed”, “the beloved, the true-hearted”, “Weary with the march of life”	The poem explores the themes of grief, mourning, and remembrance. Longfellow reflects on the passing of loved ones and finds comfort in their memory and spiritual presence.

Critical Questions about “Footsteps of Angels” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

• Question 1: How does Longfellow use imagery to evoke a sense of comfort and peace in the poem?
• Longfellow employs soothing imagery to create a tranquil atmosphere, comforting the reader and the speaker. For instance, the “evening lamps” and “holy, calm delight” evoke a sense of serenity, while the “gentle hand” and “tender eyes” of the beloved deceased bring solace. The “slow and noiseless footstep” of the messenger divine adds to the peaceful ambiance, creating a sense of reassurance. This imagery helps the speaker and reader find comfort in the memory of loved ones who have passed away.
• Question 2: How does the poem explore the theme of grief and remembrance, and what message does it convey about coping with loss?
• The poem explores the theme of grief and remembrance by depicting the speaker’s longing for departed loved ones. Longfellow conveys that remembering and honoring the dead can bring comfort and solace. The speaker finds peace in the thought that the deceased continue to exist spiritually, offering guidance and support. The poem suggests that cherishing memories and acknowledging the impact of the deceased on our lives can help us cope with loss. The lines “If I but remember only / Such as these have lived and died” emphasize the importance of remembrance in finding closure and moving forward.
• Question 3: How does the poem’s use of symbolism and metaphor contribute to its exploration of the relationship between the living and the dead?
• The poem’s symbolism and metaphor enrich its exploration of the connection between the living and the dead. The “footsteps of angels” symbolize the gentle, comforting presence of the deceased in the speaker’s life. The “Being Beauteous” represents the idealized, divine nature of the beloved, while the “messenger divine” embodies the spiritual guidance offered by the dead. The “open door” and “vacant chair” metaphors signify the speaker’s willingness to accept and engage with the spiritual presence of the deceased. These symbols and metaphors illustrate the poem’s central idea that the living can find comfort and guidance in the memory and spiritual presence of the dead.

Literary Works Similar to “Footsteps of Angels” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

1. “Thanatopsis” by William Cullen Bryant: This poem, like “Footsteps of Angels,” explores themes of death, mortality, and the continuity of life beyond the physical realm. Bryant’s contemplation of death and the interconnectedness of nature resonates with Longfellow’s exploration of the transcendence of the human spirit.
2. “Crossing the Bar” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson: Tennyson’s poem reflects on the journey from life to death and the anticipation of crossing into the afterlife. Similar to “Footsteps of Angels,” it conveys a sense of acceptance and peace in the face of mortality, as well as the belief in a spiritual existence beyond death.
3. “Because I could not stop for Death” by Emily Dickinson: Dickinson’s poem offers a meditative exploration of death and the passage of time. Like Longfellow’s work, it contemplates the nature of existence and the transition from life to death, while also suggesting a sense of continuity and immortality.
4. “When I Have Fears That I May Cease to Be” by John Keats: Keats’ sonnet reflects on the fear of mortality and the desire for artistic immortality. Similar to “Footsteps of Angels,” it grapples with existential questions and the search for meaning in the face of human frailty and impermanence.
5. “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” by Thomas Gray: Gray’s elegy reflects on the lives and deaths of ordinary people buried in a rural churchyard. Like Longfellow’s poem, it explores themes of mortality, memory, and the enduring legacy of those who have passed away. Both works contemplate the significance of life and the inevitability of death in a contemplative and reverent tone.

Suggested Readings: “Footsteps of Angels” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

1. Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Poems & Other Writings (LOA# 118). Vol. 118. Library of America, 2000.
2. Poetry Foundation. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/. Accessed 1 May 2024.

Representative Quotations “Footsteps of Angels” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“When the hours of Day are numbered, And the voices of the Night”	The poem begins with the transition from day to night, symbolizing the passage of time and the onset of reflection.	Time perception and symbolism of day and night.
“Then the forms of the departed Enter at the open door”	This line describes the arrival of departed loved ones, suggesting a belief in the continued presence of spirits.	Spiritualism and the afterlife.
“He, the young and strong, who cherished Noble longings for the strife”	The speaker reminisces about a young person who died prematurely, highlighting the fleeting nature of life’s aspirations.	Existentialism and the contemplation of mortality.
“Folded their pale hands so meekly, Spake with us on earth no more”	Reflects on the humility and resignation of those who have passed away, emphasizing their absence from earthly interactions.	Symbolism of gestures and absence in grief studies.
“And with them the Being Beauteous, Who unto my youth was given”	The speaker recalls a beloved figure from their youth who has now passed away, evoking nostalgia and reverence.	Nostalgia and the influence of memory on perception.
“With a slow and noiseless footstep Comes that messenger divine”	Describes the arrival of a divine messenger, suggesting spiritual guidance and comfort in times of solitude.	The presence of divine figures in literature and their role in providing solace and enlightenment.
“Uttered not, yet comprehended, Is the spirit’s voiceless prayer”	The poem ends with the recognition of unspoken communication between the speaker and the divine messenger, conveying a sense of understanding and connection.	Communication theories and the significance of non-verbal cues in conveying meaning and emotion.