Haunted Houses
The poem “Haunted House” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow explores the idea that all spaces inhabited by humans are infused with the presence of the past. Check out the MCQs and reference to context questions from the poem.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What is the central theme of the poem 'Haunted Houses'?
2. According to the poem, how do the 'harmless phantoms' move?
3. What does the speaker mean by 'There are more guests at table, than the hosts invited'?
4. What does the line 'All that has been is visible and clear' suggest about the speaker's perception?
5. The phrase 'hold in mortmain still their old estates' implies that:
6. What metaphor is used to describe the relationship between the spirit world and the physical world?
7. The lines 'Our little lives are kept in equipoise by opposite attractions and desires' refer to the conflict between:
8. What is the 'undiscovered planet in our sky' that influences our earthly wants and aspirations?
Reference to Context Questions
The stranger at my fireside cannot see
The forms I see, nor hear the sounds I hear;
Question: What are the forms seen by the poet?
Answer: The 'forms' the poet sees are the 'harmless phantoms' mentioned earlier in the poem. These are the spirits or ghosts of those who previously lived and died in the house. They are described as gliding on errands, unseen by the living visitor but visible to the poet.
Question: What is the main theme of the poem?
Answer: The main theme of the poem is the enduring presence of the past through the presence of spirits. The poet suggests that all places where people have lived and died retain the imprint of their previous occupants. The poem explores how the past coexists with the present, even if it's not always visible or perceptible to everyone. The poet's ability to see and hear the ghosts highlights a heightened sensitivity to the history and memories embedded in the house, a theme that resonates throughout the poem.
We have no title-deeds to house or lands;
Owners and occupants of earlier dates
From graves forgotten stretch their dusty hands,
And hold in mortmain still their old estates.
Question: How does this stanza contribute to the poem's theme of the persistence of the past?
Answer: These lines significantly contribute to the theme of the persistence of the past by highlighting the enduring connection between the deceased and the spaces they once inhabited. It suggests that even though we may legally own properties, 'We have no title-deeds', the true ownership, in a spiritual sense, lies with those who came before us. The imagery of the deceased reaching out from 'graves forgotten' emphasizes that even though they are physically gone and their resting places may be neglected, their presence and influence linger. The phrase 'hold in mortmain' reinforces this idea, as mortmain refers to the perpetual ownership of property by a corporation or institution, in this case, the deceased holding onto their estates even in death.
Question: Identify the literary device used in these lines.
Answer: The literary device used in these lines is personification. Here, the deceased 'owners and occupants of earlier dates' are described as stretching their 'dusty hands' from forgotten graves. This gives them a human-like quality and creates a vivid image of their continued connection to their old properties.