Question

What does this excerpt from “Ode to the West Wind” suggest most clearly about the nature of the West Wind?

Answer 1

The West Wind shows the power nature holds against humanity. In the first stanza the poet describes the effect of the West wind on earth. The West Wind is described as having godly qualities. It is invisible, uncontrollable and powerful. The wind is the thing which gives life to the season Winter. Winter is like a new beginning when everything dies and the clouds are shed “like earth’s decaying leaves”. The adjective “decaying” connotes decomposition and renewal. This shows how the winter is a symbol for new beginnings and in this case the spring in the renewal.

In the the end of the poem the wind creates “violent storms” bringing spring. In spring time everything is calm and tranquil. The wind is now being described as being “calm like heavens”.
The religious imagery “heavens” reflects the holiness and serenity of spring. It makes spring seem like something to praise and be joyful for. Furthermore, the West Wind is described to convey “spiritual messages”. The adjective “spiritual” means affecting the human soul and spirit as opposed to material things. This makes the west wind look like Angels guiding the people to be better through their “messages”. Messages are usually not passed on directly to the person which can further symbolise how the West Wind is like an angel.

Towards the end the West Wind again, like the beginning, is described as being violent and destructive. The verb “decompose” takes the reader back to the beginning where the change from Autumn was happening. This cyclic structure helps us remember what happened at the beginning to bring about this change. So now, we are sure that there will be another season change.