Final answer:
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 'A Psalm of Life' uses the footprint metaphor to suggest that one's actions can leave a lasting impact, 'footprints on the sand of time,' while in 'The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls,' footprints are washed away by the tide, symbolizing the temporary nature of life and the overpowering force of time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of the footprint metaphor in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "A Psalm of Life" differs from its use in "The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls" in terms of the legacy and lasting impact that individuals can have. In "A Psalm of Life", Longfellow implies that one's actions in life can leave enduring marks or footprints on the sand of time, suggesting that we have the power to make a significant, positive impact that resonates even after we depart from this world. This poetic image conveys a message of hope and challenges readers to live lives worth remembering.
On the other hand, in "The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls", the footprints are ephemeral, washed away by the tide, which can symbolize the inevitable erasing effects of time and the natural cycle of life and death. The metaphor here may reflect a more transient view of human existence, emphasizing the relentless progression of time that eventually obscures individual lives and deeds. While both metaphors involve footprints and the passage of time, they manifest contrasting perspectives regarding the permanence and significance of human life.
In essence, while "A Psalm of Life" employs the footprint metaphor to inspire a legacy, "The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls" contemplates the temporality of life and the persistent march of time that governs our existence.