The Builders
All are architects of Fate,
Working in these walls of Time;
Some with massive deeds and great,
Some with ornaments of rhyme.Nothing useless is, or low;
Each thing in its place is best;
And what seems but idle show
Strengthens and supports the rest.For the structure that we raise,
Time is with materials filled;
Our today and yesterday
Are the blocks with which we build.Truly shape and fashion these;
Leave no yawning gaps between;
Think not, for no man sees,
Such things will remain unseen.In the elder days of Art,
Builders wrought with greatest care
Each minute and unseen part;
For the Gods see everywhere.Let us do our work as well,
Both the unseen and the seen;
Make the house, where Gods may dwell,
Beautiful, entire, and clean.Else our lives are incomplete,
Standing in these walls of Time,
Broken stairways, where the feet
Stumble as they seek to climb.Build today, then, strong and sure,
With a firm and ample base;
And ascending and secure
Shall tomorrow find its place.Thus alone can we attain
To those turrets, where the eye
Sees the world as one vast plain,
And one boundless reach of sky.
Summary of The Builders
- Popularity of “The Builders”: Written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a celebrated American poet, this concise poem with profound themes, first published in the 1870s, has become a foundational work on individuality and collective purpose. The poem illustrates how a nation depends on its individuals, who together form its social fabric. In this sense, everyone is a builder, which fuels the poem’s enduring appeal.
- “The Builders” as a Representation of Individuality: The poem presents a speaker who emphasizes the importance of every person in society. It compares a nation to an architectural structure, arguing that, just as a building relies on every component, society depends on each individual. Some contribute grandly, others subtly; some lead, others support. Each person works toward the betterment of the nation, building upon the work of those who came before. All contribute, whether through visible achievements or less obvious efforts, to the collective progress of the nation.
- Major Themes in “The Builders”: Individuality, national glory, and the interconnectedness of time, art, and architecture are central to “The Builders.” The poem emphasizes individuality in its opening lines, declaring “All are architects of Fate.” This extends to the destiny of individuals and that of the nation. The deeds and rhymes we create contribute to this collective fate. Like a well‑constructed building, time and collaboration are essential. Every element is vital, and every person contributes to the whole, whether celebrated or unseen.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in The Builders
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow expertly employs a variety of literary devices to enrich the meaning and impact of “The Builders.”
- Allusion: The poem subtly alludes to divine oversight, particularly in the line “For the Gods see everywhere.” This suggests a higher power observing and valuing even the smallest contributions.
- Anaphora: While not a strict repetition at the beginning of consecutive lines, the phrasing “Some with…” functions similarly, emphasizing the diversity of contributions to the structure being built.
- Assonance: The poem uses assonance to create a musical effect. For example, the repetition of the short “i” sound in “Each thing in its place is best” contributes to the poem’s lyrical quality.
- Alliteration: Alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds, appears throughout the poem. An example is the repetition of the “w” sound in “with which,” adding emphasis and rhythm.
- Consonance: Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds within words, further enhances the poem’s auditory texture. The repetition of the “m” sound in “With a firm and ample base” illustrates this.
- Enjambment: Longfellow uses enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next, to create a flowing rhythm and encourage the reader to move seamlessly through the poem. The final stanza demonstrates this effectively.
- Imagery: Longfellow employs strong imagery to bring the poem’s abstract concepts to life. Phrases such as “Broken stairways” and “turrets, where the eye sees the world” evoke vivid mental pictures, helping readers connect with the poem’s themes.
- Metaphor: The central metaphor compares society to a building under construction, allowing Longfellow to explore the interconnectedness of individual contributions and the importance of collective effort.
- Paradox: The line “Both the unseen and the seen” presents a paradox, highlighting the value of both visible and hidden contributions. It challenges the reader to consider the importance of all work, regardless of public recognition.
- Symbolism: Several elements carry symbolic weight. Time represents the ongoing process of building and change. Fate symbolizes the destiny of the nation, shaped by its people. The building itself symbolizes society, and its components represent the individuals who contribute to its strength and stability.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in The Builders
While many literary devices also fall under poetic devices, some are particularly prominent in poetry because of their contribution to form and sound.
- Diction: Longfellow’s choice of formal and poetic language contributes to the poem’s elevated tone and timeless quality.
- End Rhyme: The poem relies heavily on end rhyme, creating a musical effect and reinforcing the connections between ideas. The ABAB rhyme scheme in each stanza maintains harmony throughout.
- Quatrain: “The Builders” is composed of quatrains—stanzas of four lines—which give the poem a structured form and predictable rhythm.
- Rhyme Scheme: The consistent ABAB rhyme scheme creates a sense of harmony and order, reinforcing the poem’s themes of unity and collaboration.
- Stanza: The poem comprises nine quatrains, each contributing to the overall development of its themes and ideas.
- Tone: The poem’s tone is didactic, aiming to teach a lesson about the importance of individual contribution and collective effort. It also possesses a hopeful and optimistic quality, suggesting that through collaboration and dedication a strong and lasting society can be built.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines encapsulate the poem’s message about individual responsibility and the creation of a meaningful life:
Let us do our work as well,
Both the unseen and the seen;
Make the house, where Gods may dwell,
Beautiful, entire, and clean.
This passage emphasizes the importance of dedication and contribution to something greater than oneself, suggesting that through collective effort a beautiful and lasting legacy can be created.