USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Paul fidgets, pats his horse, walks around, and plays with his saddle-girth (the strap that goes around the horse’s belly and holds the saddle on). Longfellow wants us to feel Paul’s impatience. He highlights that by calling Paul “impetuous, ” which means reckless and passionate.

Detailed explanation-2: -“The fate of the nation was riding that night, and the spark struck out by that steed, in his flight, kindled the land into flame with its heat.” Without Paul warning the villagers to be ready to fight against the British they wouldn’t stand a chance, so his ride “sparked” the villagers to fight back.

Detailed explanation-3: -For, borne on the night-wind of the Past, Through all our history, to the last, In the hour of darkness and peril and need, The people will waken and listen to hear The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed, And the midnight message of Paul Revere.

Detailed explanation-4: -And the midnight message of Paul Revere. The whole point of this is that the midnight message is filled with something like the American spirit. It’s a call to strength, unity, and bravery in the face of fear. Keep in mind that Longfellow wrote this right before the Civil War – another dark time for the country.