Longfellow repeats the line “the tide rises, the tide falls” throughout his poem. What idea is he trying to emphasize about the difference between nature and human life through this repetition?
Throughout what poem?
Repetition is usually used to emphasize an important point. In this case, remember that the tide rises and falls 1.5 or 2 times each day.
http://www.centralcoastweather.net/SanSimeon/GetSanSimeonTides.asp
Each rise and fall indicates approximately half a day. The repetition indicates that life goes on, no matter what else happens.
This may help, too.
http://thetiderises.weebly.com/
The repetition, "The tide rises, the tide falls," suggests the continuous motion of the sea. This supports the theme that human life and works are transitory. This poem presents the perspective of an old traveler who is standing on the verge of death. The poet presents the never-ending rise and fall of the tides in contrast with the finite journey of the traveler to show the mortality of life, as in the line "The day returns, but nevermore
/Returns the traveler to the shore." The constant rise and fall of the tides emphasize the reoccurring cycle of life in the universe, where people are born, go through different phases of life and then silently leave. Also, time washes away the spots of their existence. However, what stays in the minds of the readers is the impacts of the transience of life and eternity of the tides.
To understand the idea that Longfellow is trying to emphasize about the difference between nature and human life in his poem, it is crucial to analyze the repetition of the line "the tide rises, the tide falls" and its context.
1. Read the poem: Start by reading the entire poem by Longfellow called "The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls." Pay attention to the overall theme and the specific instances where the line is repeated.
2. Analyze the repetition: Longfellow's repetition of the line "the tide rises, the tide falls" serves to draw attention to the cyclical nature of the tide. The repetition creates a sense of continuity, highlighting the regularity and inevitability of nature's rhythms. It symbolizes the eternal and timeless aspect of the natural world.
3. Compare nature and human life: By juxtaposing the regularity of the tide with the transient nature of human life, Longfellow emphasizes the contrast between the two. While nature follows an unbroken pattern, human life is transitory and impermanent. The repetition underscores the idea that no matter how significant or insignificant an individual may be, life goes on. Humans come and go, but the tides continue their eternal cycle.
4. Reflect on themes: Connect this idea to broader themes such as mortality, the passage of time, and the insignificance of human existence in the grand scheme of nature. Consider how the repetition contributes to the portrayal of these themes throughout the poem.
5. Formulate an interpretation: Based on the analysis, you can infer that Longfellow uses the repetition of the line "the tide rises, the tide falls" to emphasize the stark contrast between the eternal rhythm of nature and the fleeting nature of human life. The repetition serves as a reminder that nature is unchanging while human life, in comparison, is transient and inconsequential.
Remember, poetry can be subjective, and interpretations may vary. It's essential to support your conclusions with evidence from the text.