Welcome, dear readers, to an insightful exploration of Robert Frost’s enchanting poem, “Wind and Window Flower.” This exquisite piece, published in his 1913 collection A Boy’s Will, invites us to ponder the delicate dance between longing and indifference, freedom and rootedness. It is a testament to Frost’s genius in capturing profound human emotions through the simple beauty of nature.
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.
Understanding “Wind and Window Flower”: A Summary and Central Idea
Robert Frost’s “Wind and Window Flower” presents a poignant narrative of unrequited affection through the metaphorical relationship between a persistent winter breeze and a stationary window flower. The poem opens by inviting readers to observe this unique “love” story, contrasting it with human romantic entanglements. The winter breeze, personified as a suitor, is captivated by the window flower, watching her through the glass and returning repeatedly, particularly at dusk.
Despite his persistent presence and subtle attempts to engage her, symbolized by his “sighing upon the sill” and giving “the sash a shake,” the flower remains rooted and unresponsive. She offers no words, no gesture of reciprocation. The breeze, ultimately unable to win her for a “flight” from her warm, sheltered existence, departs by morning, leaving the flower behind. The central idea of “Wind and Window Flower” revolves around the themes of unrequited love, the inherent differences between two beings that prevent connection, and the quiet resignation that often accompanies unfulfilled desire. It explores the contrast between restless freedom and contented rootedness, suggesting that some divides are simply insurmountable.
Noteworthy Aspects of “Wind and Window Flower”
- Subtle Emotional Depth: The poem conveys deep emotion without overt drama, relying instead on subtle actions and natural imagery.
- Universal Theme: The experience of longing for something unattainable, or being the object of such longing, is a universally relatable human experience.
- Masterful Imagery: Frost’s ability to paint vivid pictures of both the harsh winter outside and the cozy interior is a hallmark of his poetic skill.
- Metaphorical Power: The extended metaphor of the wind and flower beautifully encapsulates complex relationship dynamics.
An In-Depth “Wind and Window Flower” Analysis
To truly appreciate “Wind and Window Flower,” one must delve into its layers of meaning, examining how Robert Frost masterfully employs literary and poetic devices to craft this evocative narrative.
Major Themes in “Wind and Window Flower”
The poem explores several profound themes, each contributing to its lasting impact:
- Unrequited Love and Longing: This is the most prominent theme. The wind’s persistent return and his attempts to “win her for the flight” clearly illustrate his desire. However, the flower’s silence and her action of leaning “aside” signify a lack of reciprocation. The poem beautifully captures the ache of one-sided affection.
- Freedom Versus Confinement/Rootedness: The wind embodies boundless freedom, moving “a hundred miles away” by morning, concerned with “ice and snow, Dead weeds and unmated birds.” In stark contrast, the flower is rooted, confined to her “window light,” safe from the harsh winter. This dichotomy highlights the fundamental incompatibility between their natures, making a true connection impossible.
- The Nature of Desire and Pursuit: The breeze acts as an active pursuer, drawn by an irresistible force. He “marked her through the pane,” “could not help but watch,” and returned “again at dusk.” This portrays desire as an insistent, almost involuntary force.
- Passivity and Indifference: The flower’s role is one of quiet passivity. She “leaned aside And thought of naught to say.” Her stillness is not necessarily cruel, but rather a reflection of her nature and perhaps her contentment with her sheltered existence, making her immune to the wind’s advances.
Literary Devices 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.
Imagery
Frost’s use of vivid imagery creates a strong visual and sensory experience for the reader, immersing them in the poem’s atmosphere.
- The “frosty window veil” evokes the chill of winter and suggests a barrier, a separation between the wind’s world and the flower’s.
- The “caged yellow bird Hung over her in tune” adds a layer of sensory detail, suggesting a gentle, perhaps melancholic, melody within the flower’s sheltered world.
- The “firelit looking glass And warm stove window light” paint a picture of a cozy, inviting interior, starkly contrasting with the wind’s cold domain and emphasizing the comfort the flower would have to abandon for “flight.”
Metaphor
The entire poem operates as an extended metaphor, with the wind and the flower representing unrequited love and longing. This is established immediately in the opening stanza:
She a window flower,
And he a winter breeze.
The wind embodies desire, pursuit, and restless freedom, while the flower represents the object of that desire—passive, beautiful, and ultimately unattainable due to her rooted nature and sheltered existence.
Personification
Frost personifies both the window flower and the winter breeze, imbuing them with human qualities and emotions, which allows the reader to connect with their “love story.”
- The breeze “sighed upon the sill,” suggesting a human expression of longing or frustration.
- He “gave the sash a shake,” an action implying a deliberate attempt to gain attention or express his presence.
- The flower “leaned aside And thought of naught to say,” portraying her as capable of subtle resistance or quiet indifference, rather than a mere plant.
Symbolism
The window flower and winter breeze are powerful symbols that deepen the poem’s meaning.
- The window flower often symbolizes feminine beauty, vulnerability, and a sheltered, perhaps confined, existence. Her rootedness represents stability and a reluctance to leave her comfort.
- The winter breeze symbolizes restless energy, unfulfilled desire, and the untamed forces of nature. His association with “ice and snow” and “unmated birds” further emphasizes his solitary, perhaps melancholic, nature and his inability to truly connect.
- The window pane itself acts as a symbol of the barrier between two worlds, preventing physical and emotional union.
- The winter season can symbolize coldness, isolation, and the transient nature of certain desires or opportunities.
EnjambmentEnjambment, where a phrase or sentence continues from one line to the next without punctuation, creates a sense of fluidity and momentum, mirroring the wind’s continuous movement and persistent attempts.
He could not help but watch
And only passed her by,
To come again at dusk.
These lines flow seamlessly, emphasizing the wind’s relentless observation and return. Another example highlights the wind’s hopeful, yet ultimately futile, endeavor:
Perhaps he half prevailed
To win her for the flight
From the firelit looking glass
And warm stove window light.
The unbroken thought across these lines underscores the continuous nature of the wind’s persuasion.
Alliteration
The use of alliteration, or the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, contributes to the poem’s musicality and emphasizes certain phrases.
- “He was a winter wind” uses the repeating “w” sound to create a sense of breathlessness and movement, mimicking the wind itself.
- “frosty flower” (though not directly in the poem, the concept is there, and Frost often uses such pairings) or “firelit flight” could be imagined, but within the poem, the subtle “sighed upon the sill” provides a gentle, melancholic sound.
Assonance
Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds within words, adds a musical quality and can evoke specific moods.
- The long “o” sound in “And thought of naught to say” creates a sense of languor and reinforces the flower’s passive, almost resigned, nature.
- The short “i” sound in “winter wind” subtly connects the harshness of the season with the wind’s character.
Consonance
Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words, provides a subtle yet effective rhythm and often links ideas.
- The repeating “n” sound in “And morning found the breeze a hundred miles away” emphasizes the quiet, gentle departure and the vast distance, contributing to the poem’s melancholic conclusion.
- The “s” sound in “He sighed upon the sill, He gave the sash a shake” creates a soft, whispering effect, reflecting the wind’s subtle attempts.
Poetic Devices in “Wind and Window Flower”
Beyond literary devices, Frost employs specific poetic techniques to craft a compelling and memorable poem.
Stanza and Quatrain
The poem consists of seven stanzas, each comprised of four lines. This four-line stanza is known as a quatrain. This consistent structure provides a sense of balance and order, allowing the narrative to unfold in distinct, manageable segments.
Lovers, forget your love,
And listen to the love of these,
She a window flower,
And he a winter breeze.
Each quatrain acts as a small scene or a development in the story, guiding the reader through the wind’s pursuit and the flower’s response.
Rhyme Scheme and End Rhyme
The poem largely follows an ABCB rhyme scheme, where the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme. This use of end rhyme creates a musical and pleasing effect, contributing to the poem’s overall flow and memorability.
- In the first stanza: “love” (A), “these” (B), “flower” (C), “breeze” (B). The rhyme between “these” and “breeze” creates a gentle, almost song-like quality.
- In the third stanza: “pane” (A), “watch” (B), “by” (C), “dusk” (B). Here, “watch” and “dusk” offer a subtle, imperfect rhyme, adding to the poem’s natural, unforced rhythm.
- In the final stanza: “aside” (A), “say” (B), “flight” (C), “away” (B). The rhyme between “say” and “away” provides a sense of closure and finality to the wind’s departure.
Meter
While Frost often uses a conversational, natural rhythm, the poem generally employs an iambic meter, often tetrameter (four iambs per line), though with variations that keep the language sounding natural rather than strictly metrical. This underlying rhythm gives the poem a steady, almost narrative pace, making it easy to read and absorb.
Conclusion: The Enduring Appeal of “Wind and Window Flower”
“Wind and Window Flower” stands as a beautiful example of Robert Frost’s ability to distill complex human emotions into simple, natural imagery. Through the delicate dance of a winter breeze and a window flower, Frost explores the universal themes of unrequited love, the yearning for connection, and the quiet acceptance of life’s inherent separations. The masterful use of literary and poetic devices, from vivid imagery and personification to subtle rhyme and rhythm, ensures that this poem remains a compelling and deeply resonant piece of literature. It invites us to reflect on the barriers that exist between us, the nature of desire, and the beauty found even in unfulfilled longing, making it a truly timeless and shareable work.