Haunted Houses – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Meanings

Word Meanings

1. Errands glide: Refers to the movement of spirits or ghosts as they move around, carrying out their tasks or missions in a smooth and effortless manner.

2. Impalpable impressions on the air: Indicates the subtle and intangible sensations or feelings present in the atmosphere, often associated with the presence of spirits or ghosts.

3. Is thronged with quiet, inoffensive ghosts: Describes how the haunted space is filled with a large number of calm and harmless spirits, creating a crowded yet peaceful environment.

4. He but perceives what is; while unto me: Highlights the difference in perception between the speaker and someone else, suggesting that only the speaker can see or experience certain phenomena.

5. And hold in mortmain still their old estates: Mortmain refers to the state of property being held in perpetuity by a religious or charitable institution. In this context, it suggests that the previous owners continue to exert influence over their former properties from beyond the grave.

6. Wafts: Means to pass gently through the air, often used to describe the movement of scents, sounds, or other intangible things.

7. Ethereal air: Refers to a light, airy, or delicate atmosphere, often associated with the spiritual or otherworldly realm.

8. Equipoise: Refers to a state of balance or equilibrium, where opposing forces or influences are evenly matched.

9. Instinct: An innate, natural inclination or tendency, often driven by primal urges or subconscious impulses.

10. Aspires: Means to have a strong desire or ambition to achieve something, typically something lofty or idealistic.

11. Perturbations: Refers to disturbances or disruptions, often used to describe fluctuations or irregularities in a system or process.

12. This perpetual jar: Describes the ongoing conflict or discord caused by the perpetual disturbances or disruptions.

13. Aspirations: Refers to strong desires or ambitions, often associated with achieving success or realizing one's goals.

14. Planks: Refers to the long, flat pieces of wood that make up a bridge's surface, symbolizing the path or connection between different realms or states.

15. Realm: Indicates a domain or sphere, often associated with a particular area of knowledge, experience, or existence.

16. Descends: Means to move from a higher position to a lower one, often used metaphorically to suggest a transition from the spiritual to the physical realm.

17. That sways and bends: Describes the unstable or precarious nature of the bridge, suggesting that it is not firmly fixed and may fluctuate or change.

18. Dark abyss: Refers to a deep, bottomless chasm or void, symbolizing the unknown or mysterious aspects of existence.

Central Idea

The central idea of the poem "Haunted Houses" revolves around the concept of the pervasive presence of the past in the present, particularly in the physical spaces we inhabit. Through vivid imagery and metaphorical language, the poem explores how the memories, experiences, and actions of previous inhabitants linger in the places where they lived and died. The speaker suggests that all houses bear traces of the lives that were once lived within them, manifesting as "harmless phantoms" or "quiet, inoffensive ghosts" that move through the spaces silently.

Moreover, the poem delves into the idea that these residual impressions create a sense of continuity between the past and the present, with the speaker remarking that "all that has been is visible and clear" to them, contrasting with the limited perception of others. The absence of tangible ownership rights ("no title-deeds to house or lands") further emphasizes the idea that the influence of past occupants transcends material ownership.

Overall, "Haunted Houses" explores the haunting nature of memory and history, suggesting that the past is an integral part of the present and that the spirits of the past continue to inhabit the spaces we occupy, leaving behind palpable traces of their existence.

Stanza Wise Explanation

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Final