The poem “The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is a poignant reflection on the inevitability of the passing of time and the cycle of life itself. The poem’s theme of the rising and falling of the tide serves as a metaphor for the rise and fall of life, and the poem develops as it moves forward, emphasizing the passage of time and the importance of living life to its fullest.
Rising Tide
The poem begins with a description of the “tide rising,” as the speaker observes the “smoothly flowing” sea and the “moon-light” reflecting off its surface. This imagery of the rising tide is meant to evoke a sense of hope and optimism, as it symbolizes the rising of a new day and the promise of a new beginning.
The speaker then goes on to describe the activities of the people in the town, such as the “old man” fishing in the river and the “sailor” headed out to sea. This imagery serves to emphasize the importance of living life to its fullest, as the speaker encourages the reader to take advantage of the time they have while they still can.
Falling Tide
The poem then shifts to the “tide falling,” as the speaker reflects on the “somber” mood of the town and the “silent” beach. This imagery of the falling tide is meant to evoke a sense of sadness and melancholy, as it symbolizes the passing of time and the inevitability of death.
The speaker then goes on to describe the activities of the people in the town, such as the “old man” fishing in the river and the “sailor” heading back to shore. This imagery serves to emphasize the importance of making the most of the time we have, as the speaker encourages the reader to appreciate the beauty of life before it fades away.
The poem “The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls” is a powerful reflection on the inevitability of the passing of time and the cycle of life itself. The poem develops as it moves forward, emphasizing the importance of living life to its fullest and appreciating the beauty of life before it fades away.
The poem “The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is an easy-to-read, relatable poem about the inevitability of life and death. By exploring this theme through the use of vivid imagery and powerful word choice, Longfellow creates an emotional journey through every stanza.
The poem begins with the speaker facing a beautiful sunset at the beach. He observes how the tide rises and falls, using words such as “majestic” and “calm” to create a peaceful atmosphere. His mind then turns to how time passes and how life invariably follows the same pattern: old things pass away while new ones rise up to take their place. This is the primary theme of the poem and it develops gradually as the poem progresses.
The second stanza sees the speaker shift his attention to a small fishing village. He reflects on how the tide cycles in and out, taking away the old and bringing in the new. This metaphor serves to highlight the idea that life is ever-changing and that nothing remains the same forever.
The third stanza introduces another layer to the theme, as the speaker looks to nature for an explanation of life’s cycles. He notes the cycle of the seasons and how, despite the world changing, the laws of nature always prevail. This serves to highlight the idea that although life may change, the underlying laws of nature remain the same.
The fourth and final stanza provides an uplifting conclusion to the poem. Despite reflecting on the constant, sometimes harsh cycles of life, the speaker finds comfort in knowing that the tide will keep rising and falling, and that change is inevitable. This serves to highlight the idea that despite the hardships that life may bring, the tide will keep rising and falling and new life will eventually take the place of the old.
Overall, “The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls” is a poem that offers a sense of comfort in the knowledge that the cycles of life will keep playing out, and that life is ever-changing, yet inextricably linked to the natural laws of the world. Through his powerful imagery and use of repetition, Longfellow creates a powerful narrative about the inevitability of change.
