Answer: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's epic poem "The Song of Hiawatha" narrates the tale of Hiawatha, a legendary figure from Native American folklore. Within the poem, Hiawatha's grandmother, Nokomis, advises him against marrying a woman from the land of the Dacotahs due to a long-standing feud between the Dacotahs and Hiawatha's tribe, the Ojibways.
Nokomis relates the story of how the Dacotahs murdered Hiawatha's father and how their clan has remained the enemies of the Ojibways since then. She worries that a marriage between Hiawatha and a Dacotah woman could reignite the conflict and lead to more bloodshed.
Furthermore, Nokomis reminds Hiawatha of his greater destiny as a leader of his own people, and cautions him not to let personal desires or emotions cloud his judgment. This is a recurring theme throughout the poem, as Hiawatha must balance his love for his wife, Minnehaha, with his responsibilities as a leader and his duty to his people.
Step-by-step explanation: