QUESTION IMAGE
Question
\a psalm of life\ and \the tide rises, the tide falls\
by henry wadsworth longfellow
reading strategy: associate images with life
you will often find greater meaning in the poetry you read if you consider its images as sym-
bols of larger themes or principles. associate the images with life by thinking about how the
theme or meaning represents a comment on broader life themes. for example, if a poem de-
scribes the first bloom on a rose, the image might more broadly symbolize the theme of youth,
innocence, or beauty. if a poem describes how the petals of a rose slowly drop, the image might
represent how a person’s youth, innocence, or beauty fades over time.
directions: complete the chart below by identifying a possible broader life theme for each
image on the left. be sure to consider the image in the context of the poem in which it appears.
| image | how it might relate to broader life themes |
|---|---|
| 2. sailing o’er life’s solemn main | |
| 3. a forlorn and shipwrecked brother | |
| 4. the sea sands damp and brown | shows time moving away |
| 5. the sea in the darkness calls | |
| 6. nevermore returns the traveler to the shore |
1. Footprints on the sands of time
In "A Psalm of Life", footprints in sand symbolize the impact one's life has over time. Each footprint is a mark of actions, achievements, or experiences, representing how a person's life journey leaves a legacy or record that endures (or fades) with time, relating to the theme of living a meaningful life to leave a lasting impression.
The "solemn main" (the sea) as life’s journey: sailing implies navigating through life’s challenges, uncertainties, and vastness. It symbolizes the adventure, struggle, and purposeful movement through life’s “waters,” where one must steer (make choices) to reach goals, relating to themes of perseverance and life’s journey as a voyage.
A shipwrecked brother represents those who face despair, failure, or hardship in life. It symbolizes human suffering, isolation, or setbacks, reminding us of life’s adversities and the need for compassion (or resilience) when others (or we) encounter “shipwreck” (defeat, loss), relating to themes of empathy and overcoming life’s crises.
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Represents the impact of one’s life journey over time, symbolizing how actions/experiences leave a legacy (or mark) that reflects a meaningful life’s pursuit.