A Psalm of Life, Longfellow

An extraneous higher force does not predetermine one's fate, and events in life do not happen just by pure chance. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, A Psalm of Life, supports the theory that man creates his own fate through the choices he makes. Fate, or the purpose of life in this case, is what people achieve through the decisions they make. Not everyone will end up happy, but leading a life of fulfillment will provide an …showed first 75 words of 1827 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1827 total…to choose to make life great. What is the meaning of life? According to Longfellow, life's purpose is to improve Self while improving society. We have the choice to fulfill that purpose or not. There is not a God or an outside force has decided for us. Being as potentially great as we can and constantly and consistently trying to better ourselves will produce a wealth of good fortune and a life well worth living.