The Tides by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem explores the theme of love and its transformative power. It describes how a person's emotions can shift like the tides, from calmness to turbulence, in response to the presence or absence of a loved one. The speaker reflects on how their heart was once filled with sorrow but is now overflowing with joy due to the arrival of someone they love.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1904 · Genre: Poetry, Feminist Literature, Social Commentary · 499 words
First lines
Oh, vain is the stern protesting Of winds, when the tide runs high; And vainly the deep-sea waters Call out, as the waves speed by; For, deaf to the claim of the ocean, To the threat of the loud winds dumb, Past reef and bar, to shores afar, They rush when the hour is come.
Vainly the tempest thunders, Of unsexed waves that roam, Away from the mid-sea calmness, Where Nature made their home. For the voice of the great Moon-Mother, Has spoken and said, ‘Be free. ' And the tide must go to the strong full flow, In the time of the perigee.
What this Textopian page supports
The Tides is listed on Textopian as a novel by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1904 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Date: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Feminist Literature, Social Commentary, Philosophical Literature, Inspirational
- Length: 499 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is written in verse form with a rhythmic and lyrical quality.
- Feminist Literature — The themes focus on the empowerment and liberation of women, challenging traditional gender roles.
- Social Commentary — The work critiques societal norms and the status quo, particularly regarding gender dynamics.
- Philosophical Literature — The text explores deeper existential themes and the nature of human progress and change.
Tags
Romance · Poetry · Nature · Ocean · Tides · Love · Heartbreak · Longing · Melancholy · Sorrow · Beauty · Imagery