Summary and line by line analysis of the poem "Haunted Houses" written by H.W. Longfellow for ICSE class 10.

 Here is a line-by-line analysis and summary of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "Haunted Houses".

Summary:

In this poem, Longfellow reflects on the idea that homes are "haunted" by the memories and spirits of those who once lived in them. These "hauntings" aren't the typical terrifying ghosts, but rather the benign presence of memories, emotions, and the legacies left by the departed. The poem suggests that the spirits of those we have lost continue to influence our lives, dwelling in the spaces they once inhabited. It captures themes of memory, love, and continuity, highlighting how the past remains alive through the homes and places people once cherished.

Line-by-Line Analysis:

Lines 1-2:

"All houses wherein men have lived and died
Are haunted houses. Through the open doors..."

• Analysis: Longfellow opens the poem by stating that all homes, through the passage of time and the death of their inhabitants, become "haunted." The "haunted" nature refers not to literal ghosts, but to the lingering presence of the past. The mention of "open doors" signifies a kind of invitation or openness to the memories that linger within these spaces.

Lines 3-4:

"The harmless phantoms on their errands glide,
With feet that make no sound upon the floors."

• Analysis: The "harmless phantoms" are symbolic of memories or spirits that pass through the house unnoticed. They are not threatening but instead glide silently, representing how memories of the dead exist subtly and peacefully, undetected but always present.

Lines 5-6:

"We meet them at the door-way, on the stair,
Along the passages they come and go."

• Analysis: These lines suggest that the memories or "phantoms" appear in ordinary places like doorways or stairways—spaces that serve as transitional points. This imagery reinforces the theme of passage, both literal (as people move through homes) and metaphorical (as the dead move through time and memory).

Lines 7-8:

"The spirits of the dead, who stood
In life before thee, are again
In death around thee."

• Analysis: Longfellow presents the notion that the spirits of the dead still surround the living, though not in a physical sense. The spirits are metaphorical, residing in the memories of those who have passed. The spirits of those who lived before us continue to shape our lives, even after death.

Lines 9-10:

"The night is full of whispers. It is not
The wind that makes the whisperings."

• Analysis: The "whispers" are symbolic of the voices of the past, suggesting that the memories and essences of the deceased speak to us in subtle ways. Longfellow implies that the noises or feelings we experience aren't just natural phenomena like the wind; instead, they are spiritual or emotional echoes from those who have passed.

Key Themes:

1. Mortality and Legacy: The poem reflects on how death doesn’t erase the impact of individuals; rather, it preserves their essence in the places they once occupied.
2. Memory as a Haunting Presence: The "haunting" in this poem is about the emotional and spiritual presence of the dead, not literal ghosts, highlighting how the past never truly leaves.
3. Connection Between Life and Death: The spirits are present not just as memories but as active participants in the lives of the living, continuing to "move" through the house and influencing those who remain.

This poem offers a gentle meditation on death, memory, and the ongoing influence of those who have passed away. It suggests that while we may physically lose people, their presence in our lives continues to shape our experiences in subtle, often unnoticed ways.