Page 1 : Appreciation of the poem, “The Village Blacksmith”, , “The Village Blacksmith” is a beautiful poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow., He is an American poet and an educator. “Voices of the Night” and “Ballads and other poems”, are some of his major poetic collections. The poem “The Village Blacksmith” emphasizes how, the life and work of a common working man can provide an example of persistence and, accomplishment in spite of trials and tragedies., The background of the poem is set in a village. The smithy is located under a spreading, chestnut tree. The village blacksmith is described as a mighty man with strong hands, crisp, long, black hair and tanned face. He earned whatever he can. He doesn’t owe anyone anything. He, works continuously without a break. We can hear him work. He is also a loving father and loves, to spend time with his children. His daughter’s voice from the church reminds him of his late, wife. His life is a mixture of ordinary human experience: Toiling-Rejoicing-Sorrowing., The poem is rich in imageries- visual and auditory. Village smithy, spreading chestnut, tree, the blacksmiths large and sinewy hands, brawny arms etc provides a visual treat for the, readers. The sound of the bellows roaring and the measured beat of the heavy sledge, church, bell ringing etc are examples of auditory images. The use of alliteration is also found in the, poem. The poet employs a few meaningful similes to depict the life of the smith. ‘His brawny, arms are like iron bands’, ‘his face like the tan’ and the rhythemic sound of his heavy sledge is, compared to the ringing of the church bell etc., Through the example of the smith’s work and his life, the poet tries to convey the, message for the importance of persistence in one’s life. The poem shows how a strong man like, the blacksmith withstood the tragedy when he lost his dear wife. The poet conveys the simple, lesson of life that everybody goes through struggles in life and that we are the real masters and, our own life.