Problems with Hurricanes
By Victor Hernández Cruz (born 1949)
A campesino looked at the air
And told me:
With hurricanes it’s not the wind
or the noise or the water.
I’ll tell you he said:
it’s the mangoes, avocados
Green plantains and bananas
flying into town like projectiles.How would your family
feel if they had to tell
The generations that you
got killed by a flying
Banana.Death by drowning has honor
If the wind picked you up
and slammed you
Against a mountain boulder
This would not carry shame
But
to suffer a mango smashing
Your skull
or a plantain hitting your
Temple at 70 miles per hour
is the ultimate disgrace.The campesino takes off his hat, as a sign of respect
toward the fury of the wind
and says:
Don’t worry about the noise
Don’t worry about the water
Don’t worry about the wind,
If you are going out
beware of mangoes
And all such beautiful
sweet things.
Summary of Problems with Hurricanes
- The Essence of the Poem: Victor Hernández Cruz’s “Problems with Hurricanes” presents a strikingly unusual perspective on natural disasters. Rather than fearing the obvious dangers of wind, rain, or flooding, the poem highlights the unexpected threat posed by flying fruits, mangoes, avocados, plantains, and bananas, during a hurricane.
- Central Idea: The poem explores themes of honor, disgrace, and the cultural significance attached to the manner of one’s death. The campesino, a farmer, argues that while dying in a grand natural event like drowning or being struck by the wind carries a certain honor, being killed by a fruit is a source of profound shame for the family.
- A Cultural Commentary: “Problems with Hurricanes” isn’t just about physical danger; it offers a glimpse into a cultural mindset where the perception of a dignified death is crucial. The poem subtly challenges conventional notions of what constitutes a respectable way to meet one’s fate.
In-Depth Analysis of “Problems with Hurricanes”
Understanding the Voice and Setting
The poem immediately establishes a specific voice through the introduction of the “campesino” – a Spanish term for a peasant or farmer. This sets a rural, likely Caribbean, setting and implies a wisdom rooted in lived experience. The campesino isn’t speaking from a position of scientific understanding but from a cultural and ancestral perspective. Consider the opening lines:
A campesino looked at the air
And told me:
With hurricanes it’s not the wind
or the noise or the water.
The direct address, “And told me,” creates a sense of intimacy and suggests the speaker is relaying a story or a lesson learned. The campesino immediately subverts expectations by dismissing the obvious dangers of a hurricane—the wind, noise, and water—setting the stage for the poem’s central paradox.
The Unexpected Threat: Flying Fruit as Projectiles
The core of the poem lies in the unexpected identification of flying fruit as the true “problem” with hurricanes. The image is both comical and unsettling. Cruz utilizes vivid imagery to emphasize the danger:
it’s the mangoes, avocados
Green plantains and bananas
flying into town like projectiles.
The simile “like projectiles” is crucial. It transforms these normally benign objects into weapons, emphasizing their speed, force, and potential for causing harm. This is not simply about being hit by a fruit; it is about the indignity of being killed by something so commonplace and, intriguingly, sweet.
Honor, Shame, and Cultural Perception
The poem’s most compelling argument centers on the cultural perception of a dignified death. The campesino believes that death by drowning or being slammed against a boulder carries “honor,” while being killed by a fruit is “the ultimate disgrace.” This isn’t about logical reasoning; it is about upholding a cultural code of honor. Consider these lines:
Death by drowning has honor
If the wind picks you up
and slams you against a mountain boulder;
this would not carry shame,
but to suffer a mango smashing
your skull.
The contrast is stark. Death in a grand, uncontrollable natural event is seen as noble, while death by something trivial and easily avoided is considered shameful for the family. The poem implies that the family would bear the burden of explaining this ridiculous death to future generations.
The Final Warning and Its Significance
The poem concludes with the campesino’s final warning, which is both ironic and insightful:
Don’t worry about the noise
Don’t worry about the water
Don’t worry about the wind,
If you are going out
beware of mangoes
And all such beautiful
sweet things.
The repetition of “Don’t worry about” emphasizes the absurdity of fearing the obvious while overlooking the unexpected. The final line, “beware of mangoes and all such beautiful, sweet things,” is a powerful paradox. It suggests that even the most seemingly harmless things can be dangerous and that true vigilance requires looking beyond the obvious.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “Problems with Hurricanes”
Anaphora and Repetition
The poem effectively uses anaphora – the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. The repetition of “Don’t worry about” in the final stanza creates a rhythmic effect and emphasizes the campesino’s point.
Imagery and Symbolism
Cruz utilizes vivid imagery throughout the poem, particularly in describing the flying fruit as “projectiles.” This creates a strong visual impression and enhances the poem’s impact. The fruit itself can be seen as a symbol of the unpredictable nature of life and the dangers that lurk in unexpected places.
Irony and Paradox
The entire poem is built upon a foundation of irony and paradox. The idea that flying fruit is more dangerous than the hurricane itself is inherently ironic. The final lines, warning about “beautiful, sweet things,” further exemplify this paradoxical quality.
Free Verse and Form
“Problems with Hurricanes” is written in free verse, meaning it does not follow a strict rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. This allows Cruz to create a natural, conversational tone that suits the poem’s narrative style. The poem’s form mirrors the unpredictable nature of the subject matter.
Quotes for Discussion and Analysis
The following lines from “Problems with Hurricanes” are particularly insightful and can be used as starting points for discussion:
Don’t worry about the noise
Don’t worry about the water
Don’t worry about the wind,
If you are going out
beware of mangoes
And all such beautiful
sweet things.
These lines encapsulate the poem’s central message and highlight the importance of looking beyond the obvious to find true danger.