The tide of the ocean in its flow and ebb is under the influence
of the moon. To get the sense of the metaphor, "fickle" must be read
with "Fortune"--unless, perchance, we like Juliet regard the moon as
the "inconstant moon."
The Annotated Edition
The tide of the ocean in its flow and ebb is under the influence by James Russell Lowell
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This brief prose-poem by James Russell Lowell uses the ocean's tides as a metaphor for Fortune — suggesting that luck and fate rise and fall like the sea, influenced by forces we can't control.
- Themes
- beauty, doubt, nature
§01Quick summary
What this poem is about
This brief prose-poem by James Russell Lowell uses the ocean's tides as a metaphor for Fortune — suggesting that luck and fate rise and fall like the sea, influenced by forces we can't control. Lowell toys with the term "fickle," inviting us to associate it with Fortune instead of the moon, while playfully referencing Shakespeare's Juliet, who described the moon as "inconstant." In short: luck resembles the tide — it flows in, it ebbs out, and there's something greater than yourself at work behind the scenes.
§02Themes
Recurring themes
§03Line by line
Stanza by stanza, with notes
The tide of the ocean in its flow and ebb is under the influence / of the moon.
Editor's note
Lowell begins with a straightforward scientific fact: tides are influenced by the moon's gravitational pull. This establishes the main analogy — just as the sea cannot control its own rising and falling, human fortune is shaped by forces beyond personal control. The rhythm of 'flow and ebb' subtly reflects the ups and downs of good luck and bad.
To get the sense of the metaphor, 'fickle' must be read / with 'Fortune'
Editor's note
Here, Lowell takes a step back and takes on a teacher-like role, guiding us on how to interpret the image accurately. 'Fickle Fortune' is a classical phrase — depicting Fortune as a goddess who spins a wheel and randomly distributes luck. By emphasizing that we should associate 'fickle' with Fortune instead of the moon, he portrays the moon as a constant, indifferent force rather than an unpredictable one.
unless, perchance, we like Juliet regard the moon as / the 'inconstant moon.'
Editor's note
This directly references Shakespeare's *Romeo and Juliet*, Act II, Scene 2, where Juliet advises Romeo against swearing his love by the moon, noting how frequently it changes. Lowell presents a playful twist: if the moon is viewed as unstable (as Juliet perceives it), then it symbolizes fickleness instead of Fortune. The word 'perchance' suggests that this is a light, optional diversion rather than the central point.
§04Tone & mood
How this poem feels
The tone is calm and conversational, gently guiding you through a puzzle like a tutor rather than lecturing you. There’s a dry wit in the Shakespearean aside, and the overall mood feels more reflective than urgent. Lowell isn’t anxious about Fortune’s fickleness; he observes it with the cool curiosity of someone who has pondered it deeply for a long time.
§05Symbols & metaphors
Symbols & metaphors
- The tide (flow and ebb)
- The rising and falling tide symbolizes the cycles of human fortune—good times and bad times that come and go in patterns we can't control.
- The moon
- The moon symbolizes the impersonal, unseen force that influences fate. Depending on your interpretation, it can be seen as a neutral mechanical cause (which is Lowell's view) or as a symbol of inconstancy (according to Juliet).
- Fickle Fortune
- Fortune here reflects the classical goddess Fortuna, who spins a wheel to hand out luck at random. The term 'fickle' emphasizes that Fortune has no loyalty — whatever she grants can just as easily be taken back.
§06Historical context
Historical context
James Russell Lowell (1819–1891) was a prominent American literary figure in the nineteenth century, known as a poet, critic, and editor of *The Atlantic Monthly*, and later serving as U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Britain. This piece resembles a prose annotation or a marginalia-style reflection, showcasing the brief critical insights Lowell often included in his essays and notebooks. It belongs to a Victorian tradition of literary commentary that examined classical metaphors (like Fortune's wheel and the inconstant moon) as vibrant concepts still relevant for today's readers. The reference to *Romeo and Juliet* was instinctive for Lowell, who extensively explored the English dramatic tradition. Rather than being a standalone poem, this piece functions more as a condensed critical note — a single idea carefully considered and articulated.
§07FAQ
Questions readers ask
He suggests that Fortune — or luck and fate — is unpredictable and cyclical, much like ocean tides. The moon influences the tides without regard for them, and similarly, Fortune fluctuates without concern for those it impacts.
Because the metaphor only works smoothly if 'fickle' refers to Fortune rather than the moon. The moon is quite regular and predictable in its effect on the tides—it isn’t fickle at all. In contrast, Fortune is well-known for its unpredictability. Lowell aims to keep those two concepts distinct.
Juliet is the heroine of Shakespeare's *Romeo and Juliet*. In the iconic balcony scene, she advises Romeo against swearing his love by the moon, pointing out that the moon changes shape every night and is thus 'inconstant.' Lowell introduces her as a clever counterpoint: if we follow Juliet's reasoning, the moon transforms into a symbol of fickleness, which actually gives the metaphor a different but equally valid interpretation.
It feels more like a prose annotation or a critical note rather than a conventional poem with meter and line breaks. Lowell often included short reflective passages like this in his essays and marginalia. While it has a poetic quality due to its brevity and metaphorical language, it doesn't adhere to a traditional verse structure.
It’s an ancient phrase that dates back to Rome. Fortune, or Fortuna, was envisioned as a goddess who spun a wheel—people would rise to great heights only to fall back down again, all by chance. 'Fickle' refers to something that is changeable and unreliable, so 'fickle Fortune' simply refers to luck that can unexpectedly shift against you.
Calm and a bit playful, Lowell isn't bothered by Fortune's unpredictability. Instead, he's thoughtfully working through a metaphor and appreciating the link to Shakespeare. The word 'perchance' adds a light, almost teasing tone.
The main themes are time, fate (which relates to the themes of 'time' and 'doubt'), and how nature interacts with human experience. The tidal metaphor also brings in the idea of mortality — highlighting that human life is influenced by forces much greater than any one person.
The tide is a striking example in nature of a powerful and rhythmic force influenced by external factors. This illustrates how Fortune is shaped by something beyond our control, making the concept feel tangible and real instead of just theoretical.