The Wreck of the HesperusThe Wreck of the Hesperusby Henry Wadsworth Longfellowby Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

ReviewReview

1. According to the speaker, what 1. According to the speaker, what happened to the ship, the skipper, happened to the ship, the skipper, and the skipper’s young and the skipper’s young daughter? daughter? The ship broke up and The ship broke up and

sank on the reef of sank on the reef of Norman’s Woe and Norman’s Woe and both the skipper and both the skipper and his daughter died.his daughter died.

2. What is the central conflict in the 2. What is the central conflict in the plot ? How is the conflict resolved? plot ? How is the conflict resolved?

Humans vs. natureHumans vs. nature It’s resolved when It’s resolved when

nature wins. The storm nature wins. The storm kills both the captain kills both the captain and the girl and wrecks and the girl and wrecks their ship.their ship.

3. What is the skipper’s attitude 3. What is the skipper’s attitude toward nature? How does his toward nature? How does his attitude contrast with that of the attitude contrast with that of the old sailor? old sailor? The skipper feels The skipper feels

superior to nature superior to nature (“I can weather the (“I can weather the roughest gale.”)roughest gale.”)

The old sailor respects The old sailor respects nature’s power.nature’s power.

4. What is a narrative poem?4. What is a narrative poem?

It tells a story.It tells a story. It usually includes a setting, some It usually includes a setting, some

characters, and a plot.characters, and a plot. The events are often told in chronological The events are often told in chronological

order, the order in which they happen.order, the order in which they happen. The theme unfolds as the story is told.The theme unfolds as the story is told.

5. What kind of storm was the old 5. What kind of storm was the old sailor fearful of? sailor fearful of?

A hurricane.A hurricane.

6. Why does the skipper reject the 6. Why does the skipper reject the old sailor’s warning about a storm? old sailor’s warning about a storm? He thinks he is too He thinks he is too

skillful to have skillful to have difficulties.difficulties.

7. What is the main character flaw of 7. What is the main character flaw of

the skipper? the skipper? Too much pride.Too much pride.

8. How does the little girl feel after her 8. How does the little girl feel after her

father dies? What does she hope? father dies? What does she hope? Alone in the storm, Alone in the storm,

she’s terrified and she’s terrified and prays that the waters prays that the waters will be stilled.will be stilled.

9. What does the fisherman see at 9. What does the fisherman see at daybreak? Explain. daybreak? Explain. He discovers the girl’s He discovers the girl’s

body lashed to the body lashed to the mast.mast.

She is frozen, salt She is frozen, salt tears in her eyes, and tears in her eyes, and her hair was like brown her hair was like brown seaweed that fell and seaweed that fell and rose with the rose with the movement of the sea.movement of the sea.

10. Describe the setting.10. Describe the setting.

The coast of New The coast of New England on a cold England on a cold winter night on a ship winter night on a ship at sea during a storm.at sea during a storm.

11. Describe the plot.11. Describe the plot.

The tale of a The tale of a shipwreck.shipwreck.

12. Describe the characters.12. Describe the characters.

SkipperSkipper DaughterDaughter CrewCrew Old sailorOld sailor FishermanFisherman

13. Example of a simile.13. Example of a simile.

Eyes as the fairy-flaxEyes as the fairy-flax Cheeks like the dawn of dayCheeks like the dawn of day Billows frothed like yeastBillows frothed like yeast Like a sheeted ghost, the vessel sweptLike a sheeted ghost, the vessel swept

14. Example of onomatopoeia.14. Example of onomatopoeia.

The snow fell hissing in the brineThe snow fell hissing in the brine Whistling sleet and snowWhistling sleet and snow

15. Example of personification.15. Example of personification.

The cruel rocks gored The cruel rocks gored her side.her side.

16. Example of repetition.16. Example of repetition.

““O father!”O father!” ““Oh say, what may it be?”Oh say, what may it be?” ““Come hither!”Come hither!”

17. Example of alliteration.17. Example of alliteration.

Stiff and starkStiff and stark Dark and drearDark and drear

Plot ChartPlot Chart

Exposition

The skipper and the daughter are on a ship at sea on a cold, winter night off the coast of New England during a winter storm.

Ris

ing

Act

ion F

alling Action

The old sailor warns of a hurricane.

A storm arises.

The father dies.

Climax The daughter’s confrontation with death.

The ship wrecks.

Resolution

The fisherman discovers the girl’s body.

ConflictHumans

vs. Nature