Criticism Part 4 from The Works of John Greenleaf Whittier, Volume VII

In this thoughtful essay, Whittier examines Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s ambitious verse celebrating the exile of the Acadian settlers. He lauds the vivid panoramas that sweep from Nova Scotia’s coast to the western plains, noting how the hexameter shape gives the narrative a breezy, almost prosaic freedom. At the same time, Whittier questions whether the poet’s gentler tone sufficiently condemns the harsh injustices inflicted upon the displaced people.

The critic also probes the broader role of American poetry, warning against a tendency toward self‑congratulation that can mask deeper national faults. He praises the humanity that shines through characters such as the steadfast blacksmith Basil and the faithful Evangeline, while urging a sharper moral edge that would hold perpetrators accountable. By balancing admiration for the poem’s lyrical beauty with an earnest call for more vigorous ethical scrutiny, Whittier offers listeners a nuanced perspective on a work that helped define early American literary identity.