'The duties of the Wind are few' by Emily Dickinson


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The duties of the Wind are few,
To cast the ships, at Sea,
Establish March, the Floods escort,
And usher Liberty.The pleasures of the Wind are broad,
To dwell Extent among,
Remain, or wander,
Speculate, or Forests entertain.The kinsmen of the Wind are Peaks
Azof-the Equinox,
Also with Bird and Asteroid
A bowing intercourse.The limitations of the Wind
Do he exist, or die,
Too wise he seems for Wakelessness,
However, know not i.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Duties of the Wind Are Few: Interpretation and Analysis

Oh, Emily Dickinson! One of the finest poets of all time, her work continues to captivate readers even after more than a century. Today, we are going to delve into one of her most well-known poems, "The Duties of the Wind Are Few," and explore its literary and emotional significance.

Introduction

This poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique style. It is a short, succinct piece that packs a powerful punch. Through the use of vivid imagery and metaphor, Dickinson manages to convey deep emotions and insight into the human condition.

"The Duties of the Wind Are Few" begins with a simple observation - that the wind has few duties. But as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that the wind's "duties" are symbolic of something much greater - the fleeting, unpredictable nature of life.

Analysis

Let's take a closer look at the poem's structure and language.

The Wind's Duties

"The duties of the Wind are few -

To cast the ships, at Sea,

Establish March, the Floods escort,

And usher Liberty."

At first glance, these lines seem straightforward. The wind's duties are to help ships at sea, control the tides, and bring freedom. But as we read on, it becomes clear that these "duties" are actually symbolic.

The Ships at Sea

"To cast the ships, at Sea,"

Dickinson uses the ship as a metaphor for life's journey. The wind helps guide the ship, but ultimately, the ship's fate is out of the wind's control. Just as we cannot control the winds of fate, we cannot control the course of our lives. We must simply trust in the wind to guide us and take us where we need to go.

Establish March

"Establish March, the Floods escort,"

Here, the wind is compared to a military leader, leading the charge and controlling the elements. The metaphor suggests that life is like a battle, and we need the wind to establish order and protect us from the floodwaters of chaos.

Usher Liberty

"And usher Liberty."

Finally, the wind's duty is to bring freedom. This represents the ultimate goal of life - to be free from the constraints of society, to be able to live life on our own terms. The wind represents the force that can break down barriers and give us the freedom to be ourselves.

The Wind's Power

"But higher than the upland dame

Or monarch of the seas,

This wonder, that the 'least' can do

Is limited, like peace."

In these lines, Dickinson emphasizes the power of the wind. It may seem like a small, insignificant force, but it has the power to shape the world around us. At the same time, however, the wind's power is limited, just like peace. Ultimately, the wind can only do so much to shape our lives.

The Final Stanza

"The spreading wide my narrow Hands

To gather Paradise -

I find the Tree whose slender ills

Inwreathed with blossoms lies."

In the final stanza, Dickinson shifts the focus from the wind to the speaker. The speaker is trying to "gather Paradise," to find meaning and purpose in life. Ultimately, the speaker finds this meaning in the "slender ills" of a blossoming tree. The metaphor suggests that life is full of small, beautiful moments that we must savor and appreciate.

Conclusion

"The Duties of the Wind Are Few" is a beautiful, deeply layered poem that speaks to the human experience. Through the use of metaphor and vivid imagery, Dickinson captures the fleeting, unpredictable nature of life. At the same time, she reminds us that there is still beauty and meaning to be found in the world around us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Duties of the Wind are Few: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson, an American poet, is known for her unique style of writing that often explores themes of nature, death, and spirituality. One of her most famous poems, "The Duties of the Wind are Few," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the wind and its role in the natural world. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.

The poem begins with the line, "The duties of the Wind are few," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Dickinson is suggesting that the wind has a simple and uncomplicated role in the world, which is to move and to blow. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that there is more to the wind than meets the eye.

In the second stanza, Dickinson writes, "To castigate the Trees - / And scold the Meadow, / Or sometimes hurrying round / The Pond." Here, she is suggesting that the wind has a more complex role than just blowing. It has the power to shape and influence the natural world around it. The wind can "castigate" the trees, which means to punish or discipline them. It can also "scold" the meadow, which implies that it has a voice and can communicate with the world around it. The wind can even hurry around the pond, which suggests that it has a sense of urgency and purpose.

In the third stanza, Dickinson writes, "The duties of the Wind are few, / To wave his banners of the Blue, / And show the Trident's sign." Here, she is suggesting that the wind has a symbolic role in the world. It can "wave his banners of the Blue," which implies that it can create a sense of beauty and wonder in the world. It can also "show the Trident's sign," which refers to the three-pronged spear that is often associated with the Greek god Poseidon. This suggests that the wind has a powerful and mythological presence in the world.

In the fourth stanza, Dickinson writes, "His own - did not belong / To him - alone - / Himself - assert in House / And every flower be gone." Here, she is suggesting that the wind has a sense of ownership and belonging in the world. It is not just a force of nature, but it has a sense of self and identity. The wind can "assert in House," which implies that it can make its presence known in the world. It can also make "every flower be gone," which suggests that it has the power to destroy and create.

In the final stanza, Dickinson writes, "And he - be witness to / His bold compulsion - / Beyond the Doomsday's Blue - / Deliverance - be -." Here, she is suggesting that the wind has a sense of purpose and destiny in the world. It is a witness to its own power and influence, and it has a role to play in the world beyond the end of time. The wind can bring "deliverance," which implies that it has the power to bring about change and transformation in the world.

Overall, "The Duties of the Wind are Few" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the wind and its role in the natural world. Dickinson suggests that the wind has a simple and uncomplicated role in the world, but as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that there is more to the wind than meets the eye. The wind has the power to shape and influence the natural world around it, it has a symbolic role in the world, it has a sense of ownership and belonging, and it has a sense of purpose and destiny in the world. This poem is a testament to Dickinson's unique style of writing and her ability to capture the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

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