Poem Analysis - The Wind Begun To Knead The Grass

A Tempestuous Encounter with Nature

Emily Dickinson's "The Wind Begun To Knead The Grass" is a vivid depiction of an approaching storm. The poem masterfully blends personification and striking imagery to create a sense of awe and impending chaos. The initial tone is one of anticipation, almost playful, as nature prepares for the storm. However, this quickly shifts to a feeling of powerful, almost violent, energy as the storm unleashes its full force. The poem concludes with a sense of relief and wonder, as the speaker's home is spared from the storm's devastation.

Nature as a Powerful and Capricious Force

One of the main themes explored in the poem is the overwhelming power of nature. Dickinson presents nature not as a gentle backdrop but as an active, almost sentient, force. In the first version, the wind is described as "kneading the Grass, / As Women do a Dough," a domestic image that quickly escalates as "He flung a Hand full at the Plain / A Hand full at the Sky." The act of "flinging" transforms the wind from a domestic image to a violent force, emphasizing its immense power. The personification of natural elements, like the "Thunders" that "gossiped low" and the "Lightning" showing a "Yellow Head," further highlights nature's agency and unpredictable behavior.

The Dance of Chaos and Order

The poem also explores the theme of chaos versus order, or the tension between destruction and preservation. The storm unleashes chaos upon the landscape: "The Leaves unhooked themselves from Trees," "The Dust did scoop itself like Hands / And throw away the Road," and "The Waters Wrecked the Sky." These images depict a world turned upside down, where the familiar order is disrupted. However, this chaos is juxtaposed with the preservation of the speaker's "Father's House," which is "overlooked" by the storm. This suggests a sense of selective destruction, raising questions about fate, divine intervention, or simply the randomness of natural events.

The Symbolism of the Storm and the House

The storm itself functions as a powerful symbol of change and upheaval. It represents not only a physical disruption but also a potential metaphor for emotional or spiritual turmoil. The vivid images of "Giant Rain" and "Waters Wrecked the Sky" suggest a cleansing or transformative force, washing away the old to make way for the new. The "Father's House," in contrast, symbolizes stability, tradition, and perhaps even safety. Its survival amidst the storm could represent the enduring power of family, faith, or personal identity in the face of life's challenges. The "Quartering a Tree" presents an interesting ambiguity: does it imply a minor damage, a reminder of vulnerability, or is it rather a symbol of the powerful presence of nature still impacting the domestic space?

Divine Providence or Sheer Chance?

The poem leaves the reader pondering the nature of protection and survival. Is the sparing of the "Father's House" an act of divine providence, as the poem's time might subtly imply given Dickinson's religious upbringing? Or is it simply a matter of chance, a random occurrence in the face of overwhelming natural forces? The poem doesn't offer a definitive answer, instead, it highlights the mystery and uncertainty that surround our relationship with the natural world. Dickinson masterfully captures the raw power of nature while simultaneously inviting contemplation on the forces that shape our lives and destinies.