Wind and Window Flower Analysis - Literary devices and Poetic devices

Wind and Window Flower

Lovers, forget your love,
And listen to the love of these,
She a window flower,
And he a winter breeze.

When the frosty window veil
Was melted down at noon,
And the caged yellow bird
Hung over her in tune,

He marked her through the pane,
He could not help but watch
And only passed her by,
To come again at dusk.

He was a winter wind, concerned with ice and snow,
Dead weeds and unmated birds,
And little of love could know.

But he sighed upon the sill,
He gave the sash a shake,
As witnesses all within who lay that night awake.

Perhaps he half prevailed to win her for the flight
From the firelit looking glass
And warm stove window light.

But the flower leaned aside
And thought of naught to say,
And morning found the breeze a hundred miles away.

Summary of Wind and Window Flower

Popularity of “Wind and Window Flower”: There is no evidence that Robert Frost published a poem titled “Wind and Window Flower” in his 1913 collection A Boy’s Will. The poem appears to be incorrectly attributed.
Wind and Window Flower as a Representative of Love: The poem centers around the metaphorical relationship between a window flower and a winter breeze. Frost uses these natural elements to represent a yearning for connection. The breeze, drawn to the flower, repeatedly returns, yet his advances are met with passive indifference. The flower remains rooted in her sheltered existence. The poem is not a tale of passionate romance, but a poignant depiction of one‑sided desire and the quiet acceptance of unfulfilled longing. The coldness of the wind symbolizes the man’s inability to connect with his beloved. He tries to make his presence felt, but the barrier remains. When he receives no response, he moves on, leaving the flower with a sense of loss.
Major Themes in “Wind and Window Flower”: Key themes include unrequited love, the nature of desire, and the quiet resignation that often accompanies loss. Frost does not present a dramatic narrative; instead, he offers a subtle and nuanced portrait of two beings unable to bridge the gap between them. The poem highlights the contrast between the wind’s restless energy and the flower’s passive stillness, suggesting that connection requires a mutual willingness to reach out. It also subtly suggests the transient nature of feelings and the inevitability of change.

Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “Wind and Window Flower”

Robert Frost skillfully employs a variety of literary devices to enhance the poem’s meaning and create a memorable reading experience. These devices work together to paint a vivid picture of the relationship between the wind and the flower and to convey the poem’s themes.

Assonance: Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, adds a musical quality to the poem. For example, note the repetition of the long “o” sound in the line “And thought of naught to say.” This creates a sense of languor and reinforces the flower’s passive nature.
Alliteration: The use of alliteration, or the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, also contributes to the poem’s musicality. Consider the line “He was a winter wind” – the repetition of the “w” sound creates a sense of breathlessness, mirroring the wind’s movement.
Consonance: Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds within words, provides a subtle yet effective rhythm. An example can be found in “And morning found the breeze.” The repeating “n” sound emphasizes the quiet, gentle nature of the scene.
Enjambment: Enjambment, where a phrase or sentence continues from one line to the next without punctuation, creates a sense of fluidity and momentum. For example:

Perhaps he half prevailed
To win her for the flight
From the firelit looking glass
And warm stove window light.

The lines flow seamlessly together, mirroring the wind’s continuous movement and hinting at its persistent attempts to reach the flower.
Imagery: Frost uses vivid imagery to create a strong visual and sensory experience for the reader. Phrases like “frosty window veil” and “firelit looking glass” evoke a specific atmosphere and help us imagine the scene. The image of the “caged yellow bird” further emphasizes the flower’s sheltered existence.
Metaphor: The entire poem operates as an extended metaphor, with the wind and the flower representing unrequited love and longing. The wind embodies desire and pursuit, while the flower represents the object of that desire—passive, beautiful, and ultimately unattainable.
Personification: Frost personifies both the window flower and the winter breeze, imbuing them with human qualities. The breeze “sighed upon the sill” and “shook” the sash, as if expressing his longing. The flower “leaned aside,” suggesting a subtle resistance or indifference.
Symbolism: The window flower and winter breeze are powerful symbols. The flower often represents feminine beauty and vulnerability, while the wind can symbolize restless energy and unfulfilled desire. The winter season itself can symbolize coldness, isolation, and the passage of time.

Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “Wind and Window Flower”

Beyond literary devices, Frost employs specific poetic techniques to craft a compelling and memorable poem.

End Rhyme: The poem utilizes end rhyme, where the last words of lines rhyme, to create a musical and pleasing effect. Examples include “dark/mark” and “light/fight.” This contributes to the poem’s overall flow and memorability.
Quatrain: Each stanza in the poem is a quatrain, a four‑line stanza, borrowed from classical Persian poetry. This form provides a sense of structure and balance.
Rhyme Scheme: The poem largely follows an ABCB rhyme scheme. The consistent rhyme scheme contributes to the poem’s melodic quality and adds to its overall harmony.
Stanza: The poem consists of seven stanzas, each comprised of four lines. The use of stanzas helps to organize the poem and create a sense of rhythm and pacing.

Quotes to be Used

The following lines are particularly effective for illustrating poetic and literary techniques.

Lovers, forget your love,
And listen to the love of these,
She a window flower,
And he a winter breeze.

This opening stanza immediately establishes the central metaphor of the poem and introduces the key symbols—the flower and the breeze—that will drive the narrative. It’s an excellent starting point for discussing symbolism, metaphor, and the poem’s central theme of unrequited love.