Question

In comparing Longfellow with the other New England poets, he stood out by what?

A) His focus on European themes and literary influences.
B) His use of transcendentalist philosophy in his poetry.
C) His advocacy for social and political reform in his verses.
D) His emphasis on narrative and storytelling in his works.

Answer 1

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow stands out among New England poets due to his emphasis on narrative and storytelling in his works, contrasting with the focus on nature and transcendentalism by poets like Frost, Emerson, and Thoreau.

Step-by-step explanation:

When comparing Henry Wadsworth Longfellow with other New England poets, he stood out by his emphasis on narrative and storytelling in his works, option D). Longfellow was well-known for his lyric poetry that often dealt with themes of mythology and the legends of the past, and he integrated notable European styles and stories into his writing. This narrative bent contrasts with other New England poets of the period, like Robert Frost, who were more focused on the everyday and the natural world, or transcendentalists like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, who emphasized self-reliance, the dignity of the individual, and the mystical oneness with the universe. Indeed, Longfellow's works are distinguished by their strong storytelling element, creating a unique niche for him among his contemporaries.