How can you best paraphrase the poem "The Psalm of Life" by H.W. Longfellow?

Question

I don't want the procedure of paraphrasing a poem , but need the summary of the poem asked!

Answer 1

For a considerable time of my life, I was not only deeply touched by this poem, not only I learnt it by-heart , but I constantly brooded over it even while walking on the pavements. I of course considered it then,  as one of the best poems in English language.

H.W.L. has truly worked over this poem at considerable length, so that the rhythm and poetry are just perfect , at least at that level.

Lives of great men all remind us,

We can make our lives sublime,

And departing, leave behind us,

Footprints, on the sands of time.

These often quoted inspirational lines are a part of the poem ‘A Psalm of Life’, which was composed by H.W. Longfellow, way back in 1838. This poem relates to the people from all walks of life. It is an epitome of Longfellow’s philosophy on life. It is brilliantly crafted, and the theme and ideas are excellently interwoven, very simple words are used but their meaning is profound.

I can paraphrase the whole poem, but that probably will relieve you of the joy of its depth.

I am giving some of the links and web-sites so tha you will be able to do you r work :

Psalm of Life LongfellowPoem lyrics of A Psalm of Life by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. ... In the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife! ...

quotations.about.com/cs/poemlyrics/a/A... - 21k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

55. A Psalm of Life. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Yale Book of ...Yale Book of American Verse. 1912. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. 1807–1882. 55. A Psalm of Life. What the Heart of the Young Man Said to the Psalmist ...

www.bartleby.com/102/55.html - 23k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

Poems Of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ...Psalm Of Life Psalm of Life. The complete text of Poems Of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Longfellow messageboard, complete text ...

longfellow.classicauthors.net/PoemsOfH... - 10k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

A Psalm of Life Book ReviewThese often quoted inspirational lines are a part of the poem ‘A Psalm of Life’, which was composed by H.W. Longfellow, way back in 1838. ...

www.shvoong.com/books/374340-psalm-lif... - 62k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

A Psalm of Life by H.W. Longfellow « Conspiracy of Happiness6 Dec 2007 ... A Psalm of Life by H.W. Longfellow. Tell me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream! For the soul is dead that slumbers, ...

slugger.wordpress.com/2007/12/06/a-psa... - 27k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

Answer 2

The summary is right there in front of you in the poem. You just have to write it down as prose.