A Psalm of Life Questions and Answers

In the sixth stanza of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem ‘A Psalm of Life’ the speaker describes the present time as ‘living present’. Why does he do so?

What does the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow compare our heartbeats to in his poem ‘A Psalm of Life’? Why does he compare those?

Explain the meaning of ‘forlorn and shipwrecked brother’ in the poem ‘A Psalm of Life’ by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

What does the poet say in response to the mournful complaints? Explain the Biblical reference made here.

The marks left on the space of time are compared to the footprints that we leave on the sand. But those footprints are just temporary. So does the poet think that our effort could have a temporary effect?

In Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem ‘A Psalm of Life’ time is personified in the line ‘Time is fleeting’. What’s the possible reason?

When was Longfellow’s poem ‘A Psalm of Life’ first published? What is the subtitle of the poem? Why is this subtitle used?

What enduring belief of the poet/speaker is expressed in the first two stanzas of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem ‘A Psalm of Life’? In what way does the poet justify the theme of the poem?

What is the difference of thought between the speaker and the psalmist in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem ‘A Psalm of Life’?

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem ‘A Psalm of Life’ tells of death and brevity of life. Would you say the tone of poem is pessimistic or not? Give reasons.