The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls Analysis

The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls

• The poem describes a cyclical pattern of nature, using the tides as a metaphor for life's journey.
• The first stanza introduces the rising and falling tide, setting the scene of a coastal environment.
• The traveller's journey towards town highlights the transient nature of life.
• The second stanza emphasizes the powerful presence of the sea, symbolizing the unrelenting flow of time and the disappearance of traces left behind.
• The waves, like forgiving hands, erase the traveller's footprints, suggesting the evanescence of human endeavors.
• The third stanza marks the transition to a new day, with the traveller's absence symbolizing the finality of death.
• The poem concludes with the repetition of "the tide rises, the tide falls," emphasizing the constant cycle of life and death.
• The poem's structure and language create a somber and contemplative tone, suggesting a sense of loss and the inevitability of time's passage.

Key Literary Devices

• Repetition: The repeated phrase "the tide rises, the tide falls" serves as a refrain, emphasizing the cyclical nature of time.
• Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the sea, sand, and moonlight create a picturesque setting and evoke a sense of the natural world.
• Symbolism: The tide symbolizes the relentless passage of time, while the traveller represents humanity's brief and fleeting existence.
• Personification: The sea is personified as calling, giving it a voice and suggesting a powerful force.
• Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds like "s" and "f" creates a gentle, flowing rhythm, reflecting the movement of the tide.