What kind of rhyming pattern does Longfellow use in “The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls”? Does the poem ever stray from this pattern?
In "The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the poem follows an ABABCDCD rhyme scheme. The pattern remains consistent throughout most of the poem. However, in the final stanza, the rhyme pattern changes to ABCCB, departing from the established pattern. So, while the poem mostly adheres to the ABABCDCD rhyme scheme, it deviates in the last stanza.
In "The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the poet primarily uses a rhyming pattern known as an "aabba" pattern. This means that the first and second lines of each stanza rhyme, as do the third and fourth lines, while the fifth line is unique and does not rhyme with any other line.
Let's break it down stanza by stanza to see if the poem ever strays from this pattern:
Stanza 1:
The tide rises, the tide falls (a)
The twilight darkens, the curlew calls (a)
Along the sea-sands damp and brown (b)
The traveler hastens toward the town (b)
And the tide rises, the tide falls (a)
Stanza 2:
Darkness settles on roofs and walls (a)
But the sea, the sea in the darkness calls (a)
The little waves, with their soft, white hands (b)
Efface the footprints in the sands (b)
And the tide rises, the tide falls (a)
Stanza 3:
The morning breaks; the steeds in their stalls (a)
Stamp and neigh, as the hostler calls (a)
The day returns, but nevermore (b)
Returns the traveler to the shore (b)
And the tide rises, the tide falls (a)
As we can see, throughout the entire poem, Longfellow maintains a consistent "aabba" rhyming pattern. Thus, the poem never strays from this pattern.
To determine the rhyming pattern in Longfellow's poem "The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls," we can start by examining its structure. The poem consists of nine stanzas, each containing three lines, known as a tercet. Within each tercet, Longfellow follows an ABA rhyme scheme, where the first and third lines of each tercet rhyme, and the second line does not rhyme with the others.
Here's an example of the rhyme scheme for the first tercet:
A – The tide rises
B – The tide falls
A – The twilight darkens
By consistently using this rhyme scheme throughout the poem, Longfellow establishes a rhythmic and melodic pattern. Each stanza ends with a rhyming couplet, emphasizing the poem's harmonious structure.
Now, to address the second part of your question, no, the poem does not stray from this pattern. Longfellow maintains the ABA rhyme scheme meticulously from the beginning to the end of the poem. The consistent use of this structure helps to create a flowing and musical effect, reinforcing the poem's theme of the relentless passage of time.