Can someone please explain the poem called The Courtin' by James Russel Lowell? I am supposed to describe how the society in which the young people lived, using inference drawn from reading the poem. I have a hard time understanding this poem. I will get you the text.

Question

Can someone please explain the poem called The Courtin' by James Russel Lowell?  I am supposed to describe how the society in which the young people lived, using inference drawn from reading the poem.  I have a hard time understanding this poem.  I will get you the text.

paxpolaris · Answer

You could use
 . the rough language ... the dialect of common new-englanders doesn't sound like queen's English
 . the references to church and life
 . the shyness of the girl: even though her heart beats for Zekle, She shies away from his advances.
 . How when Huldy's mother walks in just as Zekle plants a kiss, and a week later there is a marriage (or a funeral, lol) at the church

anonymous · Answer

Is it a funeral?  I was wandering because I didn't get it.

paxpolaris · Answer

just a small joke... the poem ends “all I know is they was cried  In meetin’ come nex’ Sunday”. Did the mother give their union blessing and these were tears of joy at their wedding or just maybe She killed Zekle, angered by his impropriety and it's his funeral next sunday

anonymous · Answer

Basically, this poem says that there was this man that would spy on a lady that he loved. One day the lady heard him sing and fell in love with him. She felt they had a very strong connection and she was very excited because she knew that he would go and visit her later. He of course did, and she was very indifferent towards him. She asked if he was there to talk to one of her parents. He questioned why women acted like that. He told her he´d come by to talk to one of the parents some other day, she agreed so then he kissed her. it happened that the mom saw this and it filled her heart with warmth so she decided to give them her blessing. Then they got married a week after.