Final answer:
"Haunted Houses" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow reflects American themes of 1858 through an exploration of the past, supernatural elements, and the nation's unease amidst social changes, symbolizing America's identity crisis on the brink of the Civil War.
Step-by-step explanation:
"Haunted Houses" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow reflects the American sentiment of 1858 by delving into themes deeply rooted in the American conscious of the time. Such themes include an appreciation for the past, a fascination with the supernatural, and the legacy of early American history, particularly as the country was moving towards the Civil War. Longfellow's poem, written in the framework of the 19th century, encapsulates the transition in society from a focus on tradition and the past to an acknowledgment of a changing future. The presence of haunted houses as a metaphor can reflect the collective unease of a nation struggling with its identity amidst looming conflicts and social changes.
Considering the context in which Longfellow wrote, America in 1858 was on the brink of profound change, with tensions over slavery and states' rights escalating toward civil war. The poem's haunted dwellings can symbolize the nation itself, burdened with the ghosts of its troubled past. Additionally, the poem's gothic elements and exploration of themes like mortality and memory resonate with the American gothic literary tradition that was influential at the time.