Haunted Houses

Haunted Houses

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

All houses wherein men have lived and died

Are haunted houses. Through the open doors

The harmless phantoms on their errands glide,

With feet that make no sound upon the floors.

We meet them at the door-way, on the stair,

Along the passages they come and go,

Impalpable impressions on the air,

A sense of something moving to and fro.

There are more guests at table than the hosts

Invited; the illuminated hall

Is thronged with quiet, inoffensive ghosts,

As silent as the pictures on the wall.

The stranger at my fireside cannot see

The forms I see, nor hear the sounds I hear;

He but perceives what is; while unto me

All that has been is visible and clear.

We have no title-deeds to house or lands;

Owners and occupants of earlier dates

From graves forgotten stretch their dusty hands,

And hold in mortmain still their old estates.

The spirit-world around this world of sense

Floats like an atmosphere, and everywhere

Wafts through these earthly mists and vapours dense

A vital breath of more ethereal air.

Our little lives are kept in equipoise

By opposite attractions and desires;

The struggle of the instinct that enjoys,

And the more noble instinct that aspires.

These perturbations, this perpetual jar

Of earthly wants and aspirations high,

Come from the influence of an unseen star

An undiscovered planet in our sky.

And as the moon from some dark gate of cloud

Throws o’er the sea a floating bridge of light,

Across whose trembling planks our fancies crowd

Into the realm of mystery and night,—

So from the world of spirits there descends

A bridge of light, connecting it with this,

O'er whose unsteady floor, that sways and bends,

Wander our thoughts above the dark abyss.

Paraphrase of the Poem 

Stanza 1:

All the houses where people have lived anytime and died there are haunted houses. Harmless ghosts glide silently on their visits, in these houses, through open doors. They have such feet that their footsteps make no sound on the floors.

Stanza 2:

We encounter them at doorways and on stairs. They come and go through hallways. They are like faint impressions in the air, They create a sense of to and from movement around us.

Stanza 3:

Actually, there are more beings at the table than those who were invited by the hosts. The illuminated hall is full of quiet, harmless ghosts, as silent as the pictures on the walls.

Stanza 4:

The visitor at my fireside cannot see the forms I see or hear the sounds I hear. He perceives only what is present, while I see all that has been, clearly and vividly.

Stanza 5:

We do not own our houses or lands by deeds; previous owners, long forgotten, still reach out from their graves, holding on to their old estates.

Stanza 6:

The spirit world surrounds our physical world like an atmosphere, sending a vital breath through the dense mists and vapors of our earthly existence.

Stanza 7:

Our lives are balanced by opposing attractions and desires—the struggle between the instinct for enjoyment and the nobler instinct to aspire.

Stanza 8:

These disturbances and constant conflicts between earthly desires and high aspirations are influenced by an unseen star, an undiscovered planet in our sky.

Stanza 9:

Just as the moon casts a bridge of light over the sea from a dark cloud, allowing our imaginations to wander into the realm of mystery and night,

Stanza 10:

So too, a bridge of light descends from the spirit world, connecting it with our world. Our thoughts wander over this unsteady bridge above the dark abyss.

Analysis of Haunted Houses by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem Haunted Houses presents a reflective and comforting view of the presence of spirits in homes. Instead of portraying ghosts as terrifying figures, the poem suggests that they are gentle, lingering presences that connect the past and present. Longfellow conveys the idea that the souls of the departed continue to exist in the places they once inhabited, forming an unbroken link between life and death. The poem is rich in literary devices that enhance its meaning and depth.

Theme and Meaning

The central theme of Haunted Houses is the continuity of life and the presence of the past within the present. Longfellow expresses the belief that spirits of the dead do not vanish but remain as unseen yet watchful presences. This idea aligns with the Romantic notion of spiritualism, memory, and the idea that nature and human existence are deeply interconnected. The poem provides a reassuring perspective on death, suggesting that it does not mark the end but rather a transformation of existence.

Literary Devices

Imagery

Longfellow uses vivid imagery to describe the spirits' presence in the house. Phrases such as "they are there, though unseen by you" and "hovering in the air they linger" create a haunting yet peaceful atmosphere. This imagery allows readers to visualize the spirits as silent, watchful entities that coexist with the living.

Personification

The poet personifies the house itself by giving it an enduring connection to the spirits. The idea that homes can retain the presence of past inhabitants suggests that buildings are more than mere structures—they hold memories and emotions.

Metaphor

The poem metaphorically compares spirits to "tenants" of the house, implying that they still reside there, even if they are unseen. This comparison reinforces the idea that death does not sever one's connection to a place.

Alliteration

Longfellow employs alliteration to create a musical quality in the poem. For example, phrases like "silent and sad" and "hovering in the air" use the repetition of consonant sounds to enhance the poem's rhythm and mood.

Symbolism

The spirits symbolize memory, history, and the continuation of life beyond physical existence. The house itself represents the past, acting as a container for the emotions, experiences, and souls of those who once lived within its walls.

Tone and Mood

The tone of the poem is calm, reflective, and even comforting. Unlike traditional ghost stories that evoke fear, Longfellow's poem suggests a peaceful coexistence between the living and the dead. The mood is nostalgic and contemplative, inviting readers to reflect on the presence of loved ones who have passed away.

Repetition

The poet repeats ideas about the spirits' presence throughout the poem to emphasize their constant existence. Words like "they are there" reinforce the message that the dead remain with us in some form.

Enjambment

The use of enjambment—where sentences or phrases continue beyond a single line—gives the poem a flowing, natural quality. This technique mirrors the idea of spirits seamlessly blending into the spaces they once occupied.

Conclusion

Through the use of various literary devices, Longfellow creates a thought-provoking and emotionally rich poem that challenges traditional views of ghosts. Instead of depicting them as frightening apparitions, he portrays them as gentle, ever-present spirits who continue to watch over their former homes. The poem conveys a sense of comfort, suggesting that the past is never truly gone and that the bonds between the living and the dead remain unbroken.