Comparing Poems 'Paul Revere's Ride And Deposition'

One event or person can be described in two ways when there are two writers, two points of view, and two purposes for writing. The poems “Paul Revere's Ride” and Paul Revere's “Deposition” are examples of this. The narrative poem, “Paul Revere's Ride”, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, is a poem about Paul Revere's historic ride in the Boston area in 1775 warning the people that the British were coming. The poem was written in 1860 to inspire generations of children. The “deposition” by Paul Revere provides a detailed account of his observations and actions during his ride, including his interaction with the patriots and the events leading to him warning the people about the British troops. The Poem and Deposition both describe the events of that

The tale states “By the wooden stairs with stealthy tread, to the belfry chamber overhead.” (Longfellow, St. 5), and the legal document follows “Revere instructed patriots in Charlestown to watch for a lantern signal from the steeple of the old north church.” (Revere, Deposition.) The short story states, “One if by land two if by sea” (Longfellow, St. 2), the personal account says, “Watch for the lantern signal” (Revere, Deposition.) One more example of this in the narrative is “he climbed the tower of the Old North Church” (Longfellow, St. 5). The nonfiction story says “steeple of the Old North Church” (Revere, Deposition). There are differences and similarities in the two descriptions of events, there are also differences and similarities in the way Paul Revere's traits are

Both the legend and the factual statement portray Revere as brave. The legend states, “and I, on the opposite shore, will be ready to ride and spread the alarm.” (Longfellow, St 2). In the factual statement it says, “Major Mitchell, put his pistol to my head and said he was going to ask my [sic] some questions.” (Revere, Deposition.) One different trait from the poem and the deposition is that “The fate of the nation was riding that night” (Longfellow, St. 8), portraying him as heroic. But in the primary source, it states,” I told them they could musk their arm”(Revere, Deposition), which portrays him as cocky. Another different trait from the short story and deposition is “the meeting house windows black and bare, gaze at him with a special stare.” (Longfellow, St. 10). This portrays him as introspective, while the first person account says, “The major rode up to me and took the reins out of my hands and I asked him to let me have my reins.” This portrays him as assertive. They both portray Paul Revere's traits similarly and differently and the same in the way the story is