SAMARITAN WOMAN. by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Editor's note

The woman begins with a question that reflects centuries of tension. She's not trying to be rude—she's honestly confused. A Jewish man asking a Samaritan woman for water violates two social norms at once: the ethnic divide between Jews and Samaritans, and the expectation that men shouldn’t speak to unfamiliar women in public. Longfellow portrays her voice as straightforward and open right from the start.

Editor's note

She identifies herself clearly — not just a Samaritan, but a *woman* of Samaria, emphasizing her outsider status. The brief, impactful phrases that follow ('despise us,' 'have no dealings with us') read like a list of grievances she has practiced, shaped by her own experiences.

Editor's note

Sychar was the Samaritan town located near Jacob's Well, where this encounter occurs. The term 'byword' refers to a group used as a joke or insult. She is saying to him: your people have made us the butt of their jokes. The phrase 'silly folk' is particularly hurtful because it's a dismissive label that strips away the dignity of an entire community.

Editor's note

The poem returns to its opening question, but this time, the word 'Sir' is included. Even with her complaints, she addresses him politely. That simple word carries significant weight—it indicates she's not being hostile, just straightforward. When the question is repeated, it feels different now, carrying the weight of all she has just expressed.