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THE SONG OF HIAWATHA is a long narrative poem that, in its twenty-two sections, recounts the adventures of an American Indian hero. The setting is on the southern shore of Lake Superior, where Hiawatha is reared among the Ojibwas. The poem presents a series of encounters and contests that enable Hiawatha to bring progress and blessings to his tribe and to help create peace among the other tribes. During the course of the narrative, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow weaves together many aspects of American Indian mythology concerning life, nature, and ritual.
The narrative begins when Gitche Manito, the Great Spirit, calls the warring and vengeful tribes together, rebuking them for their childish behavior and informing them of a prophet who will come to guide and teach them. Hiawatha, the prophet mentioned by Gitche Manito, is born after Mudjekeewis, the West-Wind, seduces Wenonah, the daughter of Nokomis, and then leaves her to die deserted and heart-broken after giving birth to Hiawatha. Reared by Nokomis, Hiawatha grows to manhood and obtains magic gifts and powers that will enable him to perform his great deeds.
Through supernatural adventure tales of his building a canoe, fishing for sturgeon, and using a picture language, readers are told how American Indians learned these arts and are blessed by them. In one account, Hiawatha's concern for his people is shown as he fasts and prays on their behalf. As a result of his experience, he begins to wonder why life depends on the killing of animals for survival. Hiawatha then meets an angelic young man dressed in green and yellow named Mondamin, who challenges him to wrestle, and, although he is exhausted from his fasting, Hiawatha miraculously receives renewed strength through the ordeal. After the hero defeats Mondamin and buries him according to instruction, corn grows from the grave, providing the sought-after supplement to animal flesh.
Soon, Hiawatha becomes a peacemaker when he woos and weds Minnihaha, the beautiful maid of the Dacotah tribe. Their marriage cements peace between these traditionally hostile tribes and ushers in a time of peace and harmony. Their wedding party is celebrated in a manner that establishes a pattern to follow, with beautiful songs and tales. In time, fever and sickness kill many, including Hiawatha's bride, and the poem ends with the dramatic departure of Hiawatha into the sunset and with his farewell teachings about the impending arrival of the white race and its new religious teachings.
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