The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls
The tide rises, the tide falls,
The twilight darkens, the curlew calls;
Along the sea sands damp and brown
The traveler hastens toward the town,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.Darkness settles on roofs and walls,
But the sea, the sea in the darkness calls;
The little waves, with their soft, white hands,
Efface the footprints in the sands,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.The morning breaks; the steeds in their stalls
Stamp and neigh, as the hostler calls;
The day returns, but nevermore returns the traveler to the shore,
And the tide rises, the tide falls
Summary of The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls
- Popularity of “The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls”: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a celebrated American poet and educator, penned this poem. It is admired for its simplicity and artistic expression, capturing the timeless beauty of the ocean’s tides. Longfellow often explored themes of nature and the human condition, and this poem is a beautiful example of his talent.
- “The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls” As a Representative of Life: This poem contemplates the passage of time and the inevitability of mortality. The relentless rise and fall of the tide provides a powerful contrast to the fleeting journey of the traveler. The poem suggests a cyclical nature to existence. Life begins, progresses, and eventually ends, while the natural world continues its endless rhythm. The tide, therefore, represents the enduring power of nature and the transient nature of human life.
- Major Themes in “The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls”: Key themes include humanity’s relationship with the natural world, the cyclical nature of life and death, and the acceptance of mortality. The poem doesn’t mourn death, but rather presents it as a natural part of the larger cosmic order. The traveler’s journey and ultimate disappearance are absorbed into the timeless rhythm of the sea.
Analysis of Literary Devices in “The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls”
Literary devices are the tools writers use to create meaning and enhance their work. Longfellow skillfully employs these devices to enrich the poem’s thematic depth and emotional impact.
- Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within words. For example, the repeated short “i” sound in “The tide rises, the tide falls” creates a musical quality and subtly reinforces the poem’s rhythmic flow.
- Personification: Longfellow frequently gives human qualities to inanimate objects. In the line “But the sea, the sea in the darkness calls,” the sea is personified as an entity capable of communication, suggesting a deeper connection between humanity and nature. Similarly, “The little waves, with their soft, white hands” ascribes hands to the waves, imbuing them with a gentle, almost caring quality.
- Consonance: This is the repetition of consonant sounds. Consider the repetition of the “s” sound in “Darkness settles on roofs and walls.” This creates a sense of quietude and mystery, mirroring the poem’s subdued tone.
- Metaphor: While not explicitly stated, “twilight” serves as a metaphor for old age or the nearing end of life. The darkening sky mirrors the traveler’s approaching mortality. The central image of the rising and falling tide is an extended metaphor representing the cycle of life and death.
- Symbolism: The sea symbolizes both darkness and eternity, representing the vast, unknowable forces of nature. The footprints in the sand symbolize the transient marks left by human existence—evidence of life that will eventually be erased by time and the tide.
- Imagery: Longfellow masterfully uses imagery to engage the reader’s senses. Lines like “The tide rises, the tide falls,” “The little waves, with their soft, white hands,” and “Efface the footprints in the sands” create vivid mental pictures that transport the reader to the seaside.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words creates a musical effect. Note the repetition of “s” and “th” sounds in “But the sea, the sea in the darkness calls,” enhancing the poem’s auditory appeal.
Analysis of Poetic Devices in “The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls”
These are techniques specific to poetry, shaping its form and enhancing its meaning.
- Stanza: The poem is composed of three stanzas, each consisting of five lines. This consistent structure provides a sense of order and balance.
- Quintain: A five-line stanza is known as a quintain. “The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls” is comprised of three quintains.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows an AABBA rhyme scheme, creating a pleasing musical effect and unifying each stanza.
- End Rhyme: The use of rhyme at the end of lines (e.g., “calls/falls,” “brown/town,” “hands/sands”) contributes to the poem’s lyrical quality.
- Repetition: The recurring line, “The tide rises, the tide falls,” acts as a refrain, reinforcing the poem’s central theme of cyclical change and imbuing it with a hypnotic rhythm.
- Refrain: As mentioned, the repeated line functions as a refrain, emphasizing the poem’s core message and creating a sense of inevitability. Its presence in all three stanzas underscores the relentless and unchanging nature of the tide. By extension, it reflects the natural world.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines can be used to evoke the beauty of the seaside or to reflect on themes of nature and mortality.
“The tide rises, the tide falls,
The twilight darkens, the curlew calls;
Along the sea sands damp and brown
The traveler hastens toward the town,
And the tide rises, the tide falls”