Read the stanza from “Paul Revere's Ride.” He said to his friend, "If the British march By land or sea from the town to-night, Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch Of the North Church tower as a signal light,-- One if by land, and two if by sea; And I on the opposite shore will be, Ready to ride and spread the alarm Through every Middlesex village and farm, For the country folk to be up and to arm." Which best describes the central idea of this stanza?

Answer: The central idea of this stanza from “Paul Revere's Ride” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is about setting up a signal system to alert the colonial militia of the British forces' mode of approach. If the British were to come by land, one lantern would be hung, and if they were to advance by sea, two lanterns would signal the impending danger. Paul Revere plans to wait for this signal across the shore and then start his famous midnight ride to warn the countryside inhabitants of the British movement, so they can prepare to defend themselves.

Extra: “Paul Revere’s Ride” is a poem written by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, which recounts the night-time mission of Paul Revere on April 18, 1775, to warn the American colonial militia about the approach of British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord during the American Revolutionary War. The poem is notable for its historical significance as well as its contribution to the American mythology surrounding the Revolution. It's a great example of how poetry can both preserve and shape historical memory.

One of the most famous lines from the poem is "One if by land, and two if by sea," referring to the signal using lanterns in the Old North Church in Boston. This system was a way to communicate over a distance at a time when instant communication was not possible. The poem uses a narrative style and tells the story of the ride in a dramatic and suspenseful manner, highlighting the stealth and urgency of the mission.

The notion of a "midnight ride" and the courage it took to embark on such a mission are central to the American narrative of patriotism and the struggle for independence. Through the use of such literature, students can learn not only about historical events but also about how art and culture represent and interpret these events for future generations.