Entry 31: Comparing Poems

Both of Longfellow's poems talk about death but only in different points of view, one being subjective and one objective. "The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls" talks about death casually and says that death happens all the time and that there is no need to worry about. This poem is the more objective one. Then in "The Cross of Snow" he grieves upon the death of his second wife. Doing so he contradicts his first idea completely, making this one is the subjective one. Even though the ideas are contradicting, it doesn't mean that they aren't both correct. I would say that both ideas are correct and that they only apply in different situations. Yes, death is unavoidable and we shouldn't take it so hard and be afraid of its coming. However if someone you love and care about dies before you do, you have the right to grieve. The death of a loved one is not something that can be easily forgotten. Even if you think you are over it just one simple thing can trigger a memory of the both of you and bring back that grief. Yet I wouldn't fear death as much as I use to now because I accept the fact the death is inevitable and that it is only a matter of time.