Poetry Quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
““These are the woes of Slaves; They glare from the abyss; They cry, from unknown graves, "We are the Witnesses!””
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Song of Hiawatha", 1855
The poem portrays the suffering of oppressed people, whose cries echo from forgotten graves, urging recognition of their plight.
In simple terms: Oppressed voices cry out.
Key Takeaway
Listen to the unheard suffering.
Themes
oppression
memory
justice
Mood
somber
urgent
Type
poetic
lamentational
When to use this quote
- social movements
- memorials
- education about history
Key Concepts
historical trauma
collective mourning
voice
Questions to Reflect On
- What modern parallels exist for these cries?
- How can we honor those forgotten?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may obscure concrete action; it can romanticize suffering.
