The Courtship of Miles Standish: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Courtship of Miles Standish" is a narrative poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, centered around the themes of love, friendship, and conflict in the early colonial period of America. The story features three major characters: Miles Standish, a rugged captain and protector of the Plymouth settlement; John Alden, a young scholar and eloquent writer; and Priscilla, a strong and modest woman who captures the hearts of both men. Standish, despite his valor and military prowess, struggles with expressing his feelings and enlists John to propose to Priscilla on his behalf. However, Priscilla's rejection of Standish's advances in favor of John complicates their friendship. The narrative unfolds against a backdrop of tension with local Native Americans, culminating in conflict where Standish proves his bravery but faces emotional turmoil. Ultimately, the story highlights the complexities of love and loyalty, as John's relationship with Priscilla blossoms, leading to their marriage and reconciliation with Standish. The poem reflects on the human condition, addressing themes of desire, rejection, and the search for companionship in a challenging world.
The Courtship of Miles Standish: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
First published: 1858
Genre: Poetry
Locale: Plymouth, Massachusetts, and its environs
Plot: Sentimental
Time: 1620–1621
Miles Standish, a captain and protector of Plymouth against the Indians. He is short, broad-shouldered, muscular, and middle-aged; his manners are rough but he is kind. His ancestors were English gentry, and he has led soldiers in notable battles. His favorite author is Julius Caesar. His wife has died, and he wishes to wed Priscilla. Because he believes that he lacks the skill with words to ask her to marry, he begs his friend John Alden, in the name of their friendship, to do so for him. When John reports that Priscilla prefers him to Standish, the captain is enraged and charges John with betrayal. His rage continues at the village council meeting, at which he answers an Indian challenge; he then marches out with his soldiers to fight the Indians. After he sees their crafty preparations for an ambush and hears the Indians' taunts, he kills one warrior (Pecksuot), leads his men to victory, and brings the head of another Indian back to Plymouth, to the joy of the townspeople. Months later, he is reported killed by an Indian poisoned arrow, but after John and Priscilla are married, he returns, asks John's forgiveness, and makes a gallant and sincere speech to Priscilla, one worthy of an English gentleman.
John Alden, a fair, blue-eyed scholar, the youngest person to have come to America on the Mayflower. He is a pious man, a writer, and a composer of fanciful phrases, and he is silently in love with Priscilla. When Standish asks him to propose to Priscilla on his behalf, John is dismayed, but in the name of their friendship, he agrees. He makes an eloquent appeal, but Priscilla tells him to speak for himself. When Standish becomes enraged that Priscilla prefers John, the pious John is tormented by guilt for betraying his friend. He believes that God is angry with him and decides to leave Plymouth on the Mayflower, which is preparing to sail from Plymouth Rock. As he is about to get on board, he sees Priscilla in the crowd and suddenly has a revelation that he cannot leave her. He and Priscilla agree to be friends. In the months that follow, John builds a house and becomes closer and closer to Priscilla, so close that when he hears of Standish's death, he proclaims that the restraint imposed by their friendship is over. He and Priscilla are married. When Standish appears, all are reconciled.
Priscilla, a modest, sweet, patient, and strong young woman who works industriously at her spinning. Because her parents and brother have died, she is lonely and dreams of returning to England. When John communicates Standish's proposal, she is stunned and rejects it, saying that Standish's warlike virtues do not attract her. She then implies that John himself might be accepted. When she sees that John did not sail on the Mayflower, she seeks him out and asks forgiveness for her frankness. She tells him that because women are supposed to be silent, they often go through life in mute pain. She explains that she could not be silent and proposes that they be friends. When she hears the report of Standish's death, she willingly weds John Alden and then accepts the returned Standish's gallant compliments. She rides to Alden's house through the streets of Plymouth on the back of a white bull.
The Elder of Plymouth, a white-haired old religious man. At the village council, he advocates peace with the Indians. Later, he blesses the marriage.
The Magistrate, the chief secular official of Plymouth, who presides at the wedding.
The Master of the Mayflower, an impatient man who is glad to sail away from the poor town of Plymouth and all of its preaching.
Pecksuot, an Indian warrior at the encampment, seemingly friendly but actually treacherous. His boasts and insults provoke Miles Standish into stabbing him fatally.
Wattawamat, an Indian warrior at the encampment who also is treacherous. He boasts elaborately of his epic birth and is killed by gunshot in the melee that follows Pecksuot's stabbing. Standish takes his head back to Plymouth.
Hobomok, an Indian friendly to the people of Plymouth who acts as interpreter.