Poem Analysis - The Two Angels

Initial Impression and Tone

The poem The Two Angels by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow presents a vivid and somewhat somber exploration of life and death. The tone shifts from fear and dread to a sense of acceptance and divine understanding. The poem begins with a sense of foreboding as two angels, one representing Life and the other Death, pass over a village. The mood lightens as the angel of Life visits the speaker, but it darkens again when the angel of Death visits a friend's house. The poem ultimately conveys a message of divine providence and acceptance of God's will.

Themes of Mortality and Divine Providence

The primary themes of the poem are mortality and divine providence. The presence of the angels of Life and Death underscores the inevitability of mortality. The speaker's initial fear and the subsequent visit of the angel of Death to a friend's house highlight the ever-present nature of death. The poem also explores the theme of divine providence, as the speaker accepts that God's will is ultimate and that both life and death are part of His plan. The final stanza emphasizes this acceptance, suggesting that one should not resist God's messengers, whether they bring life or death.

Symbolism of the Angels and Their Crowns

The angels and their crowns are central symbols in the poem. The angel of Life is crowned with amaranth, a flower that symbolizes immortality and undying love, while the angel of Death is crowned with asphodels, which are often associated with the underworld and death. These symbols emphasize the contrasting roles of the two angels. The fact that the angels are indistinguishable except for their crowns suggests that life and death are two sides of the same coin, both part of the divine plan. The speaker's acceptance of the angel of Life's visit, despite initial fear, underscores the theme of divine providence and the acceptance of God's will.

Imagery of Light and Darkness

The poem uses vivid imagery of light and darkness to convey its themes. The dawn on the angels' faces and the light from the angel of Life's smile contrast with the gloom and shadow that fall upon the friend's house after the angel of Death's visit. This imagery reinforces the contrast between life and death and the speaker's acceptance of both. The final stanza's imagery of God's hand waving to collect mists and bring rain, followed by a smile of light, further emphasizes the theme of divine providence and the acceptance of God's will. The poem's use of light and darkness imagery supports its overall message of acceptance and trust in God's plan.

Conclusion

The Two Angels by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is a profound meditation on life, death, and divine providence. Through vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, the poem explores the inevitability of mortality and the acceptance of God's will. The shifting moods and tones reflect the speaker's journey from fear to acceptance, ultimately conveying a message of trust in divine providence. The poem's final insight is that both life and death are part of God's plan, and one should not resist His messengers, whether they bring life or death.