In the prolog of “The Song of Hiawatha,” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow makes it clear that the poem will "D. relate the legends and traditions of a Native American people". In the opening part, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the question of "Should you ask me, whence these stories?". This prolog tells that the poet only wants to explain about the Native American culture. The "should" word does not force the audience to embrace the material.
