Unit 2: Winds of Change

About Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:

• Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (27 February 1807 – 24 March 1882) was one of America's most celebrated poets and educators.
• Born in Portland, Maine, he demonstrated literary talent from an early age. After studying in Europe, he became a professor at Bowdoin College and later at the prestigious Harvard College, where he taught modern languages and literature.
• Longfellow's poetry was characterized by its accessibility, musicality, and uplifting themes.
• His major works include "Voices of the Night" (1839) and "Ballads and Other Poems" (1841), which established him as perhaps the most popular American poet of his era. His famous poems include "Paul Revere's Ride," "The Song of Hiawatha," and "Evangeline."
• Longfellow's work often explored themes of perseverance, morality, and the human spirit, making his poetry both inspirational and deeply relatable to readers across generations.

The Poem: "Success"

We have not wings, we cannot soar;

But we have feet to scale and climb

By slow degrees, by more and more,

The cloudy summits of our time.

The mighty pyramids of stone

That wedge-like cleave the desert airs,

When nearer seen and better known,

Are but gigantic flights of stairs.

The distant mountains, that uprear

Their solid bastions of the skies,

Are crossed by pathways that appear

As we to higher levels rise.

The heights by great men reached and kept

Were not attained by sudden flight,

But they, while their companions slept,

Were toiling upward in the night.

Summary and Analysis

"Success" is an inspirational poem that uses powerful natural and architectural imagery to convey the message that achievement requires sustained effort, patience, and perseverance rather than sudden leaps or miraculous transformations.

Stanza 1: The poet begins by acknowledging human limitations—we don't have wings to fly instantly to success. However, we possess something equally valuable: feet to climb gradually. The phrase "by slow degrees, by more and more" emphasizes the incremental nature of progress. The "cloudy summits" represent our highest aspirations and goals, which may seem distant and unclear but are attainable through persistent effort.

Stanza 2: Longfellow uses the Egyptian pyramids as a metaphor. From a distance, these massive structures appear impossibly large and intimidating. However, when viewed up close, they reveal themselves to be "gigantic flights of stairs"—something that can be climbed step by step. This stanza teaches us that overwhelming challenges become manageable when broken down into smaller, achievable steps.

Stanza 3: Mountains, with their "solid bastions," seem like impenetrable barriers when viewed from afar. Yet, as we begin our ascent and gain altitude, we discover pathways that were invisible from below. This suggests that taking action reveals opportunities and solutions that weren't apparent from our starting position. Progress itself creates clarity and opens new possibilities.

Stanza 4: The final stanza delivers the poem's central message through contrast. Great achievers didn't reach their heights through luck or sudden success ("sudden flight"). Instead, while others rested, they worked tirelessly, even through the night. The word "toiling" emphasizes hard work and struggle, while "upward" indicates purposeful direction. This stanza celebrates dedication, sacrifice, and the willingness to work when others won't.

The poem's overall message is clear: success is not instantaneous or magical; it's the result of consistent effort, step-by-step progress, and unwavering determination over time.

Answers to "Let's Rewind and Rejoice" Questions

1. Identify the line that indicates human strength.

The line "But we have feet to scale and climb" clearly indicates human strength. While acknowledging that humans lack wings for effortless flight, the poet emphasizes that we possess feet—symbolizing our capacity for hard work, perseverance, and gradual progress. This line celebrates the strength found in persistence and effort rather than in miraculous abilities. The human strength lies not in dramatic leaps but in steady, determined climbing.

2. What do the words 'cloudy summits' and 'pyramids' imply?

Cloudy summits imply:

• Goals and aspirations that seem distant, unclear, and difficult to reach
• Achievements that appear hazy or uncertain from our current position
• The highest points of success that are partially obscured by clouds, suggesting mystery and challenge
• Ambitions that require effort to pierce through obstacles (represented by clouds) to reach

Pyramids imply:

• Monumental achievements that appear massive and overwhelming
• Ancient symbols of human accomplishment and ambition
• Structures that seem impossible to construct or climb when viewed as a whole
• Success that appears intimidating from a distance but becomes manageable upon closer examination
• The layered, step-by-step nature of achievement (as pyramids are essentially large staircases)

Both images emphasize that great achievements appear daunting from afar but become approachable when we understand their true nature and commit to gradual progress.

3. When do the pyramids appear like gigantic flights of stairs?

The pyramids appear like gigantic flights of stairs "when nearer seen and better known." This happens when we:

• Move closer to them physically and examine them more carefully
• Gain deeper understanding and knowledge about them
• Stop viewing them from a distance and engage with them directly
• Analyze their structure and construction in detail

This metaphor teaches an important life lesson: intimidating challenges and ambitious goals reveal their manageable, step-by-step nature only when we approach them directly and study them closely. Distance and lack of knowledge make obstacles seem insurmountable, while proximity and understanding show us the pathway forward. It encourages us to confront our goals rather than fear them from afar.

4. What do we come across when we rise to higher levels?

When we rise to higher levels, we come across "pathways that appear" across the mountains. These pathways represent:

• New opportunities that become visible only through progress
• Solutions and routes that weren't apparent from our starting position
• Clearer perspective and understanding gained through advancement
• Evidence that the journey, while challenging, is indeed possible
• Guidance and direction that emerges as we take action

The poet suggests that progress itself reveals the way forward. We don't need to see the entire path before beginning our climb; rather, the path reveals itself as we ascend. This encourages taking the first steps even when the complete route is unclear, trusting that continued effort will illuminate the way.

5. What makes great men different from their companions?

Great men differ from their companions in their work ethic, dedication, and sacrifice. Specifically:

• While their companions slept: Others chose rest, comfort, and easy paths
• They were toiling upward: Great men were working hard, struggling, and making sacrifices
• In the night: They worked during difficult, dark times when others wouldn't; they persevered when no one was watching

The key difference is not talent or luck but sustained effort and willingness to work when others won't. Great men understand that success requires sacrifice—giving up immediate comfort for long-term achievement. They possess:

• Stronger dedication and commitment
• Greater willingness to sacrifice leisure and rest
• More persistence during challenging times
• Self-discipline to work without supervision or recognition
• Vision that keeps them focused despite obstacles

This distinction emphasizes that greatness is earned through consistent effort rather than inherited or accidentally acquired.

6. Identify the images of success in the poem, and comment on how they convey the message of the poem.

Images of Success in the Poem:

1. "Cloudy summits"

• Represents the highest peaks of achievement
• Conveys that success may seem unclear or distant initially but is reachable through climbing
• Suggests that goals worth pursuing are often challenging and require dedication

2. "Mighty pyramids of stone"

• Symbolizes monumental, lasting achievements
• When revealed as "gigantic flights of stairs," it conveys that even the most impressive successes are built step by step
• Shows that what appears impossible is actually a series of manageable steps

3. "Distant mountains" with "solid bastions"

• Represents formidable challenges and lofty goals
• The discovery of "pathways" conveys that obstacles have solutions that become visible through action
• Illustrates that intimidating goals have navigable routes

4. "Heights by great men reached and kept"

• Represents sustained success and achievement
• The word "kept" suggests that reaching success is only part of the challenge; maintaining it requires continued effort

How these images convey the message:

These images work together to deliver a cohesive message about the nature of success:

• All images emphasize vertical movement (climbing, ascending, rising), reinforcing that success is an upward journey requiring effort
• They progress from distant perspective to close examination, teaching that understanding comes through engagement
• They reveal that apparent impossibilities are actually achievable when broken down into steps
• They celebrate gradual progress over instant results, emphasizing patience and persistence
• Together, they create a realistic yet inspiring vision of success as something earned through dedication rather than luck

The consistent use of physical, tangible images makes abstract concepts concrete and relatable, helping readers understand that success follows natural laws of effort and persistence.

7. 'The heights by great men reached and kept / Were not attained by sudden flight....' Comment on these lines. Collect a few proverbs that convey the same idea.

Commentary on the Lines:

These powerful concluding lines encapsulate the poem's central philosophy about success and achievement. The lines make several important points:

"Heights by great men reached" - emphasizes actual achievement and accomplishment, not just dreams or attempts

"and kept" - this crucial addition suggests that maintaining success requires the same dedication as achieving it; success is not a one-time event but an ongoing commitment

"Were not attained by sudden flight" - directly refutes the myth of overnight success, instant fame, or lucky breaks; the word "flight" (connecting to "wings" in the opening line) suggests effortless, quick elevation, which the poet firmly rejects

"But they, while their companions slept, / Were toiling upward in the night" - the contrast is stark and deliberate:

• Others chose comfort and rest
• Great men chose hard work and sacrifice
• The "night" symbolizes difficult times, obscurity, and when no one is watching
• "Toiling" emphasizes struggle, not easy work
• "Upward" shows purposeful, directed effort

These lines challenge our culture's fascination with instant success stories and remind us that behind every achievement lies countless hours of unseen effort. The image of working "in the night" while others sleep is particularly powerful—it speaks to the lonely, unrecognized work that precedes recognition and success.

Proverbs Conveying the Same Idea:

English Proverbs:

• "Rome wasn't built in a day."
• "Slow and steady wins the race."
• "Little by little, one travels far."
• "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
• "No pain, no gain."
• "Good things come to those who wait (and work)."
• "Practice makes perfect."
• "The harder you work, the luckier you get."
• "Inch by inch, life's a cinch; yard by yard, life is hard."
• "Great oaks from little acorns grow."

International Proverbs:

• "Drop by drop fills the ocean." (Indian proverb)
• "An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox." (African proverb)
• "If you want to climb a mountain, begin at the bottom." (Chinese proverb)
• "Little strokes fell great oaks." (Benjamin Franklin)
• "Patience and perseverance make an unbeatable combination for success." (Common wisdom)
• "The tallest tree was once a small seed." (Universal saying)
• "Even the longest journey must begin where you stand." (Variation of Chinese proverb)

Modern Sayings:

• "Success is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." (Thomas Edison)
• "There are no shortcuts to any place worth going." (Beverly Sills)
• "The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary." (Vidal Sassoon)

All these proverbs reinforce Longfellow's message that genuine, lasting success requires patience, consistent effort, gradual progress, and sustained hard work over time.

Additional Comprehension Questions

1. What is the significance of the poet using "we" instead of "I" throughout the poem?

The use of "we" creates a universal message that applies to all humanity. By using first-person plural, Longfellow:

• Includes himself with his readers, creating solidarity and shared experience
• Makes the poem's message applicable to everyone, not just a personal reflection
• Emphasizes that the limitations and capabilities he describes are part of the human condition
• Creates an inclusive, encouraging tone rather than a preachy or superior one
• Suggests that the journey to success is shared by all who aspire to greatness

This collective pronoun makes the poem more relatable and inspirational, as readers feel the poet is speaking with them rather than at them.

2. Explain the contrast between "wings" and "feet" in the first stanza. What does this contrast reveal about the poet's philosophy?

The contrast between "wings" and "feet" is fundamental to the poem's message:

Wings represent:

• Effortless, rapid ascent
• Miraculous or instantaneous success
• Natural talent or gifts that require no effort
• Fantasy or wishful thinking
• Shortcuts to achievement

Feet represent:

• Gradual, earned progress
• Hard work and persistence
• Human agency and determination
• Realistic, practical approach to success
• Step-by-step advancement

The poet's philosophy revealed: This contrast shows that Longfellow values:

• Realism over fantasy: He acknowledges our limitations honestly
• Effort over luck: Success comes from what we do, not what we wish for
• Process over shortcuts: The journey matters as much as the destination
• Human dignity in struggle: There's honor in climbing with feet rather than wishing for wings
• Attainable excellence: Success is possible for all who work, not just the naturally gifted

The poet essentially says, "We may not have supernatural advantages, but we have something better—the ability to work toward our goals consistently."

3. How does the poem's structure (four quatrains with a consistent rhythm) reinforce its message about success?

The poem's structure powerfully reinforces its thematic content:

Regular rhythm and meter:

• Creates a steady, climbing feeling that mirrors the gradual ascent described
• The predictable pattern suggests reliable progress through consistent effort
• Mimics the repetitive nature of climbing steps

Four equal stanzas:

• Represents the stages of understanding: limitation, examination, discovery, and achievement
• Shows balanced progression, just as success requires balanced, sustained effort
• Each stanza builds on the previous one, demonstrating cumulative progress

Rhyme scheme (ABAB):

• Creates a sense of order and purpose
• The interlocking rhymes suggest that each step connects to and supports the next
• Provides satisfaction at regular intervals, like reaching small milestones

Consistent structure:

• Demonstrates that success follows predictable principles
• Shows that discipline and regularity lead to achievement
• The very form of the poem practices what it preaches—steady, measured progress

The poem's controlled, climbing rhythm makes readers feel the steady upward movement it describes, creating a unity between form and content.

4. Why does the poet specifically mention that great men were "toiling upward in the night"? What is the significance of nighttime?

The nighttime reference carries deep symbolic significance:

Literal meanings:

• Working during hours typically reserved for rest and sleep
• Sacrificing personal comfort and leisure time
• Extending effort beyond normal working hours

Symbolic meanings:

"Night" represents:

• Difficult times: Periods of struggle and hardship
• Obscurity: Working without recognition or audience
• Loneliness: Pursuing goals when support is absent
• Testing periods: Times when commitment is truly tested
• The unseen journey: The hidden work behind visible success
• Darkness before dawn: Persisting when success seems distant

Why nighttime is significant:

• It's when most people rest, highlighting the extra effort of achievers
• Success is often built in private, unseen moments
• True dedication shows itself when no one is watching
• The contrast between sleeping companions and toiling achievers is starkest at night
• Night work produces morning results—hidden effort leads to visible success

This image powerfully conveys that the price of success is paid in lonely, difficult moments when others have given up or never started.

5. The poet uses architectural and natural images interchangeably. Why does he combine pyramids (human-made) with mountains (natural)?

The combination of architectural and natural imagery serves multiple purposes:

Demonstrates universality:

• Success principles apply to both human endeavors and natural challenges
• Whether facing man-made or natural obstacles, the same approach works
• Both types of achievement require the same dedication

Shows different aspects of success:

• Pyramids: Represent human ambition, planned achievement, and constructed legacy
• Mountains: Represent natural challenges, given obstacles, and unchangeable circumstances
• Together, they suggest we must overcome both challenges we create and challenges we encounter

Provides varied perspectives:

• Pyramids show how intimidating structures reveal their "stairs" upon examination
• Mountains show how pathways appear as we climb
• Different images reach different readers and situations

Creates comprehensiveness:

• Architectural images suggest goals we build toward
• Natural images suggest obstacles we must overcome
• Combined, they cover the full range of human aspiration and challenge

Emphasizes the unchanging nature of success principles:

• Whether climbing the pyramids of Egypt or the mountains of the world
• Whether building something new or conquering something existing
• The method remains the same: gradual, persistent effort

This combination makes the poem's message applicable to every type of goal and challenge.

6. What role does perspective play in this poem? How does changing one's viewpoint lead to success?

Perspective is central to the poem's philosophy:

Physical Perspective:

• From far away: Challenges appear insurmountable (pyramids seem solid; mountains seem impassable)
• Up close: Solutions become visible (stairs appear; pathways emerge)
• While climbing: New routes and opportunities reveal themselves

Psychological Perspective:

• Distance creates discouragement: Goals seem impossible when viewed from afar
• Proximity creates understanding: Close examination reveals manageable steps
• Action creates clarity: Beginning the journey illuminates the path

How changing viewpoint leads to success:

1. Reduces intimidation:

• Breaking large goals into steps makes them less frightening
• "When nearer seen and better known" - familiarity reduces fear

2. Reveals actionable steps:

• Abstract goals become concrete tasks
• The pyramid becomes stairs you can actually climb

3. Creates momentum:

• Seeing the first steps encourages taking them
• Each step completed changes perspective further

4. Builds confidence:

• Discovering pathways proves the journey is possible
• Success breeds more success

5. Enables realistic planning:

• Understanding the true nature of challenges allows proper preparation
• Knowing it's stairs rather than a solid wall changes your approach

The poem teaches that often the first step toward success is simply changing how we look at our goals—seeing them not as impossible mountains but as series of climbable steps.

7. Compare the poem's message with the story "The Toilet" by Gcina Mhlophe. How do both texts explore the theme of achieving goals through persistence?

Both texts powerfully explore persistence and achievement, though through different genres and contexts:

Common themes:

1. Gradual Progress:

• Poem: "By slow degrees, by more and more" - emphasizes incremental advancement
• Story: Gcina slowly rebuilds her writing practice, starting with just sitting in the toilet, then buying a notebook, eventually writing regularly

2. Working in obscurity:

• Poem: "While their companions slept, / Were toiling upward in the night"
• Story: Gcina writes in a public toilet, hidden from everyone, with no audience or support

3. Overcoming limitations:

• Poem: "We have not wings" but we have feet to climb
• Story: Gcina lacks space, support, and recognition but finds ways to pursue her dream

4. Finding pathways:

• Poem: "Pathways that appear / As we to higher levels rise"
• Story: The toilet becomes an unexpected path to reclaiming her identity as a writer

5. Persistence despite obstacles:

• Poem: Toiling upward despite lack of wings or sudden flight
• Story: Continuing to write even when the toilet is locked, moving to the bench

Differences in approach:

The Poem:

• Abstract and universal
• Focuses on general principles
• Uses grand imagery (pyramids, mountains)
• Addresses collective humanity ("we")
• Philosophical and instructional

The Story:

• Concrete and personal
• Focuses on specific lived experience
• Uses humble imagery (toilet, locked room)
• Personal narrative ("I")
• Emotional and experiential

Complementary messages:

The poem provides the philosophy: success requires gradual, persistent effort, step by step. The story provides the lived reality: what that actually looks like in one person's life—lonely, humble, difficult, but ultimately transformative.

Together, they teach that:

• Success principles are universal but manifest uniquely in each life
• Grand achievements begin in small, often hidden places
• Persistence means continuing even when circumstances change (locked toilet, sleepless nights)
• True commitment shows itself when no one is watching (writing alone in a toilet, toiling in the night)
• The journey itself transforms us, making us worthy of the success we seek

Both texts reject the myth of overnight success and celebrate the dignity found in persistent, often unglamorous effort toward meaningful goals.

Key Themes and Literary Devices

Major Themes:

• Perseverance and hard work as the foundation of success
• The gradual nature of achievement
• The importance of perspective in facing challenges
• Dedication and sacrifice as distinguishing traits of successful people
• The deceptive appearance of great achievements

Literary Devices Used:

1. Metaphor:

• Wings and feet representing different approaches to achievement
• Pyramids as achievements that can be climbed
• Mountains as life's challenges

2. Imagery:

• Visual: "mighty pyramids," "distant mountains," "cloudy summits"
• Kinesthetic: "scale and climb," "toiling upward"

3. Contrast:

• Wings vs. feet
• Sudden flight vs. gradual climbing
• Great men vs. their sleeping companions
• Distance vs. proximity

4. Alliteration:

• "slow degrees"
• "mighty," "more"
• "solid," "skies"

5. Symbolism:

• Night: difficulty, obscurity, testing times
• Upward movement: progress and improvement
• Sleep: complacency and missed opportunity

6. Personification:

• Mountains that "uprear their solid bastions"

Important Quotes for Reflection

• "We have not wings, we cannot soar; / But we have feet to scale and climb"
• "By slow degrees, by more and more, / The cloudy summits of our time"
• "When nearer seen and better known, / Are but gigantic flights of stairs"
• "The heights by great men reached and kept / Were not attained by sudden flight"
• "But they, while their companions slept, / Were toiling upward in the night"