The King's Speech and Hiawatha

The popular and acclaimed movie, The King's Speech has been nominated for 12 Academy Awards, and is surely a favorite among movie goers  to win the top prize. But   more than being  just a good drama with  fine acting,   the story speaks to us on so many levels about  honor, duty, loyalty, royalty, the common man, perseverance, family and friendship.

We come to admire both men, King George VI and Lionel Logue;  Recognizing  they are  decent and good.

While I was  already  familiar with King George VI and his place in history , I knew nothing of Lionel Logue.  Upon further reading   I was fascinated to learn Logue  became interested in elocution only after reading Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's renowned epic, The Song of  Hiawatha . I couldn't help but feel a little proud knowing the great American poet was held in high esteem by the Australian Logue.   According to his biographer, Logue was entranced by the words,   and  rhythm of Hiawatha  - they seemed to leap out of the page at him.

When I discovered    The Song of   Hiawatha   inspired Logue  in such a big way, it  was like standing on a springboard,  and I jumped  from one book to another.   I began reading the verses of  Hiawatha aloud, and found it pleasant and enjoyable, that I liked and understood the story better.   And like Logue, I  became entranced with the words, and the rhythm of Hiawatha:

Of all beasts he learned the language,
Learned their names and all their secrets,
How the beavers built their lodges,
Where the squirrels hid their acorns,
How the reindeer ran so swiftly,
Why the rabbit was so timid,
Talked with them whene'er he met them,
Called them ," Hiawatha's Brothers."


In a funny way, one  might say it was  The King's Speech,  George VI, and Lionel Logue that  lead  me to Henry Wadsworth  Longfellow and The Song of Hiawatha.  In another way,  one could also say,  it was  Longfellow who lead Logue to George VI and the King's speech .