Concord Hymn Complete Study Guide
What is an indirect reference to a historical person, place, or event?
It is an allusion.
seaward
to sea
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps
Bridge dismantled and sent down stream
And time the ruined bridge has swept
Bridge was dismantled in 1793; The words he uses like 'ruined bridge' and 'dark stream' signifies the uncaring attitude that has been since adopted
What is the definition of embattled?
Embattled means prepared or fortified for battle.
"Here once the embattled farmers stood,/And fired the shot heard round the world." is an example of what?
It is an example of a hyperbole.
What is "Spirit, that made those heroes dare/to die, or leave their children free,/Bid Time and Nature gently spare/The shaft we raise to them and Thee." an example of?
It is an example of personification.
What does the third stanza mean?
It means that the people wanted to do something so we don't forget the Revolution. We shouldn't forget the people who fought and/or died, people who were a part of the battle and not yet dead would soon die, then who will remember the battle and what these people fought for?
What does the line "We set to-day a votive stone" mean?
It means they want to keep the memory alive by planting a monument.
What does spare mean?
It means to refrain from harming or destroying.
What is the definition of unfurled?
It means unfolded.
What is the definition of conqueror?
It means victor (Americans in this poem, capitalized because it is written by the Americans, about their victory).
Overall, what does stanza 4 mean?
It means, the people are asking many people and things, to preserve their monument and keep it safe for generations so this war will always be remembered.
What type of poem is this poem? Define it.
Occasional poem - a poem written to commemorate an occasion of historical or local importance
what was the poem commemorating?
The Minutemen's defeat of the British Militia on April 19, 1775 and the start of the
Who were the Minutemen?
Colonial farmers who defeated the British Militia and started the Revolution
What does this poem refer to?
It refers to the first battle of the American Revolution, or the Battle of Lexington and Concord.
What is the third stanza about?
It's about commemorating the Battle of Lexington and Concord.
What is the definition of rude?
Rude means rough, unfinished, and crudely made.
By the rude bridge that arched the flood
The rude bridge is the Old North Bridge in Concord and the word 'rude' signifies the shape of the bridge and the way it arches over the water as if to be defiant.
And fired the shot heard around the world
'The shot heard round the world was fired at Lexington on April and this started the war for American Independence.
What does the poet mean when he states, "Spirit. . .Bid Time and Nature gently spare / The shaft
He is asking the same spirit that gave the Minute Men bravery to now protect this
"Concord Hymn"
In this poem, Emerson praises the bravery of the minutemen who fought at Lexington and Concord. The poem conveys the message that people who make great sacrifices for noble causes such as freedom will never be forgotten.
"And time the ruined bridge has swept." is an example of what?
It is an example of reversed sentence order.
What is the mood of the poem?
It is nostalgic sadness and very serious. They want to remember, they can't let people forget the Revolutionary War.
What doe it mean by votive stone in the poem?
It means a monument.
What does it mean when it says slept, or sleeps?
It means dead, or forgotten.
What is the definition of foe?
It means enemy (redcoats).
What does the poem mean by spirits?
It means talking to a greater power than your own.
What is the definition of shaft?
Shaft means an obelisk or a stone pillar, typically having a square or rectangular cross section and a pyramidal top, set up as a monument or landmark.
What is the definition of sires?
Sires means forefathers, father, and/or male ancestors.
What does spare mean?
Spare means refrain from harming or destroying.
What does the poet mean when he states, "That memory may their deed redeem, / When, like our
That their (the Minute Men) may be remembered after our children are gone
Who is the author of the poem?
The author is Ralph Waldo Emerson.
What do the lines "Spirit, that made those heroes dare/to die, or leave their children free" mean?
These lines mean The greater force made the soldiers choose, would they die, leaving their children free? Or live on, enslaved under British control?
What does the line "Bid Time and Nature gently spared" mean and why are the words time and nature capitalized?
Time and nature are capitalized because they are personified in this statement. The people are asking time and nature to spare their statue/memory of the Revolution.
What does redeem mean?
To restore worth or honor; to fulfill a pledge.
What is the literal definition of votive?
Votive means a stone dedicated to fulfilling a vow or pledge.
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled
american flag; as the flag flies in the Aprils 'breeze. The battle of Lexington and Concord was in April 19, 1775 (april= partriots day)
Why July 4, 1837
it was 62 years from independence day he's saying " we should remember the story and out a monumument to remind everyone
what was there during this hymn
the bridge wasn't there in its place was a monument in remembrance of the brave soldiers
here once the embattled farmers stood
the land where they stand is where once the American farmers made their stand and let the whole world know that they were not going to be pushed around.