Nature
Nature - context Summary
Published in 1839
Published in Longfellow’s 1839 collection Voices of the Night, "Nature" uses a maternal metaphor to describe how the natural world gently leads humans toward loss, rest, and the unknown. The poem frames endings as a tender, semi-willing transition—like a child reluctantly leaving play—reflecting Longfellow’s contemplative view of nature’s consolations and the human tendency to accept change with vague, sleep-filled resignation.
Read Complete AnalysesAs a fond mother, when the day is o'er, Leads by the hand her little child to bed, Half willing, half reluctant to be led, And leave his broken playthings on the floor, Still gazing at them through the open door, Nor wholly reassured and comforted By promises of others in their stead, Which though more splendid, may not please him more; So Nature deals with us, and takes away Our playthings one by one, and by the hand Leads us to rest so gently, that we go Scarce knowing if we wish to go or stay, Being too full of sleep to understand How far the unknown transcends the what we know.
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