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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
Linda Pastan's poem "Weather" uses the metaphor of weather to explore the lingering impact of a difficult childhood and the subsequent appreciation for the simple, peaceful moments in adulthood. The poem delves into the themes of trauma, recovery, and the transformative power of ordinary, tranquil experiences. The poem begins by addressing the "menace" that the speaker's father embodied during the speaker's childhood. This menace is likened to a "black umbrella" that the father "opened / and held high / over your childhood." The image of the black umbrella is particularly evocative, symbolizing the way the father's presence blocked out the light, casting a shadow over the speaker's early years. This metaphor suggests that the father's behavior or personality created an atmosphere of darkness, fear, or suppression, preventing the speaker from experiencing the brightness and joy of a typical childhood. The next lines reveal the lasting effects of this oppressive environment: "your life now seems / to you exceptional / in its simplicities." The speaker's adult life, which might be viewed as unremarkable by others, is perceived as "exceptional" because of its contrast with the complex, difficult past. The "simplicities" of life—perhaps things like peace, calm, and everyday moments—are deeply valued by the speaker precisely because they were absent or overshadowed during childhood. The poem then shifts to the present moment, where the speaker "throws the window open / on a plain spring day." This action represents a deliberate embrace of the present and an opening up to the world outside. The "plain spring day," described as "dazzling," underscores the beauty and significance of ordinary experiences when viewed through the lens of someone who has endured hardship. The simplicity of a clear, bright spring day is made all the more dazzling when contrasted with the metaphorical "winter" of the speaker's past—the long period of darkness and emotional coldness brought on by the father's influence. The final image of the poem—of the speaker opening a window to let in the light—symbolizes a moment of healing and renewal. It suggests that the speaker is now able to appreciate and find joy in the simple, everyday beauty that was once blocked out by the father's oppressive presence. The "dazzling" quality of the day highlights the speaker's sense of wonder and gratitude for the ordinary, which, after such a winter, feels extraordinary. "Weather" is a reflective and poignant poem that captures the contrast between a troubled past and a peaceful present. Through the metaphor of weather, Pastan explores how the shadows cast by difficult experiences can make the light of simple, everyday moments seem all the more precious. The poem ultimately suggests that recovery and healing can come through the appreciation of life's small, serene pleasures, which, in their simplicity, offer a kind of exceptional beauty and solace.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO THE FIELD GOAL KICKER IN A SLUMP by LINDA PASTAN THE LOST CHORD by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER THE HAND OF LINCOLN by EDMUND CLARENCE STEDMAN THE BANJO FIEND by WILLARD GROSVENOR BLEYER IN THE NIGHT by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT THE PLUME by ABBIE FARWELL BROWN TO ELLEN; IMITATED FROM CATULLUS by GEORGE GORDON BYRON VERMONT KITCHEN POLES by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY |
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