1984. Select a
line or so of poetry, or a moment or scene in a novel, epic poem, or play that
you find especially memorable. Write an essay in which you identify the line or
the passage, explain its relationship to the work in which it is found, and
analyze the reasons for its effectiveness.
"The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls" by Henry Longfellow is a brief but powerful poem which consists of several literary devices, such as repetition and symbolism in one line to support the complex meaning of "tide rises, the tide falls."
After giving it a couple reads, readers are able to catch on to the surface meaning of the line "tide rise, the tide falls" symbolizing the interminable time that passes. Longfellow uses repetition of this line a total of four times. In between the repetitious lines, are examples of nature moving on despite the tide rising and falling. By this, one can see that no human being can interrupt a nature's continuity. The way Longfellow described the tides rising and falling relates to the poem as a whole; a symbol of life. For instance, the tide rising describes a new life, while the tide falling represents the end or death of life and how the pattern continues.
Going deep, one can see that Longfellow incorporates a brand new meaning to the same line. While the first two repetitive lines expressed the ongoing life-cycle of nature and human, the same line expresses the after-death in a different stanza. Once the tide rises again and falls, it reaches out and fades the footprints. In other words, a human's mark will eventually be forgotten after their death, and the tide will continue to rise and fall, connecting back to the surface meaning.
Another connection that can be made through this line reflects back to the beginning. As much as humans cannot interrupt the sequence of nature, they cannot try to overcome or oppose it either. When the man hastened toward the town, it shows that he is trying to overcome the time. No matter how much he tries, he eventually cannot come back (referring to death).
As a reader, one can see the effectiveness of the line "the tide rises, the tide falls" has on the poem. Unlike the light, rain, or any other nature effects, a tide is something that will recur as long as the earth exists. It marks the beginning and end; it symbolizes time. Longfellow does a phenomenal representation of an on-going cycle, death, and time with a line of poetry.
This is a well written essay that deeply analyses the one single line of "tide rises, the tide falls". I read this poem last year in my lit class, and we discussed many of the same ideas that you brought up in your essay. However, I feel like you should almost get more specific, which is kind of hard for this particular poetic line. Everything that you have mentioned so far is really good, however if you could go even further in depth of analyzing placement of the line or other ideas, it would be even better. I know that that might be kind of hard, but it would help be more specific which is what is being asked in the prompt. Overall this is really good though, I had to search for areas that needed critique!
ReplyDeleteThe first thing that comes to mind when I read this poem is Naturalism. I think this would definitely be something to consider adding a paragraph about; it would show an AP reader that you are aware of the literary movements and their characteristics. Right now you kind of talk around the subject in the second to last paragraph, but you don't say it directly. I would also say maybe add another specific quote from the lines in between the lines about the tide. I think it wouldn't strengthen your point in first body paragraph. Other than that, great essay. It makes the point well and concisely, and it's well written.
ReplyDeleteI like how much analysis you put into one line, as you connect the meaning from its repetition representing the life cycle to how it relates to the uncertainty and lack of control in a human life. I would say, however, that two things would help improve your essay. Firstly, I would add some context around your analysis, especially in the second paragraph where you talk about the life cycle and the futility of life. It would really help a reader understand from where you derive your analysis. Secondly, it would be nice if you could tie in literary elements to your analysis. You mention repetition but nothing else. You indirectly talk about tone, so i think that would be an easy one to add.
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