Poem Analysis - Wha The Deil Can Hinder The Wind To Blaw

Introduction: A Bawdy Winter Scene

Robert Burns' "Wha the Deil can hinder the wind to blaw?" is a short, sharp burst of earthy humor, depicting a raucous encounter on a cold New Year's night. The poem is unapologetically crude and comedic, relying on vivid imagery and dialect to create a memorable scene. It starts with a setting of bleak winter beauty, then plunges into a farcical struggle between a "carlin" (old woman) and a "birkie" (young man), escalating quickly into vulgar humor. The tone is overwhelmingly playful and irreverent, with a touch of sly amusement at human nature's baser instincts. There are no radical shifts in mood; the poem maintains its bawdy energy from beginning to end.

Burns and the Scottish Vernacular

Robert Burns was a champion of the Scots language and culture, and this poem exemplifies that. By writing in Scots, he connected with the common people and celebrated their experiences. The use of words like "starns" (stars), "fit-stead" (footstep), "atweesh" (between), and "jirts" (squirts) not only provides local color, but also situates the poem within a specific social and cultural context. Burns often explored themes of love, nature, and social injustice, sometimes with a satirical edge; this poem, though lighter in tone, shares that satirical spirit, poking fun at societal expectations and norms around age and propriety.

The Raucous Dance of Power

One of the central themes in this short poem is a struggle for power. The poem focuses on the back-and-forth dynamic between the carlin and the birkie. It presents a comic struggle for dominance expressed through crude physical interactions. While seemingly focused on the physical encounter, the poem can also be read as highlighting the challenges to established hierarchy; the elder woman using her age and perhaps assumed wisdom, and the youth with his vitality and strength. The exchange, culminating in the carlin's defiant question "Wha the deil can hinder the wind to blaw?" showcases her refusal to be dominated, suggesting a rebellious spirit beneath her age.

Wind as a Symbol of Uncontrollable Nature

The wind, explicitly referenced in the final line, serves as a powerful symbol of natural urges and the uncontrollable aspects of human behavior. The carlin's declaration, "Wha the deil can hinder the wind to blaw?" implies that certain impulses, be they flatulence or sexual desire, are simply impossible to suppress. This can be interpreted as a challenge to societal constraints and expectations of decorum, particularly for older women. The wind, in this context, represents the irrepressible force of nature within all of us, defying attempts to control or deny it. The image of the wind complements the imagery of a rough physical altercation, further emphasising the lack of refinement and decorum within the poem.

Imagery of the Grotesque Body

The poem employs vivid, almost grotesque imagery related to the body. Phrases like "a quarter in her beef" and descriptions of the carlin's flatulence ("ilka fart...wad hae fill'd a pockie fou") are deliberately shocking and humorous. This focus on the body, and its less refined functions, contributes to the poem's overall comedic effect. It also serves to subvert traditional notions of beauty and romance, presenting a raw and unfiltered view of human interaction. The deliberate vulgarity can be seen as a form of social commentary, challenging the hypocrisy and artificiality of polite society.

Conclusion: Defiant Acceptance

In conclusion, "Wha the Deil can hinder the wind to blaw?" is a brief but potent poem that uses bawdy humor and vivid imagery to explore themes of power, defiance, and the irrepressible nature of human desires. The poem's strength lies in its directness and unapologetic depiction of a crude encounter. Burns uses the vernacular of the Scots language to create a unique experience. The final line serves as a defiant statement of acceptance, suggesting that certain aspects of human nature are simply beyond control. Ultimately, the poem celebrates the uninhibited spirit and the humor found in the messiness of life.