'The Snow-Storm' by Ralph Waldo Emerson


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Announced by all the trumpets of the sky,
Arrives the snow, and, driving o'er the fields,
Seems nowhere to alight: the whited air
Hides hill and woods, the river, and the heaven,
And veils the farmhouse at the garden's end.
The sled and traveller stopped, the courier's feet
Delated, all friends shut out, the housemates sit
Around the radiant fireplace, enclosed
In a tumultuous privacy of storm.
Come see the north wind's masonry.
Out of an unseen quarry evermore
Furnished with tile, the fierce artificer
Curves his white bastions with projected roof
Round every windward stake, or tree, or door.
Speeding, the myriad-handed, his wild work
So fanciful, so savage, nought cares he
For number or proportion. Mockingly,
On coop or kennel he hangs Parian wreaths;
A swan-like form invests the hiddden thorn;
Fills up the famer's lane from wall to wall,
Maugre the farmer's sighs; and at the gate
A tapering turret overtops the work.
And when his hours are numbered, and the world
Is all his own, retiring, as he were not,
Leaves, when the sun appears, astonished Art
To mimic in slow structures, stone by stone,
Built in an age, the mad wind's night-work,
The frolic architecture of the snow.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Snow-Storm by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Introduction

As I sit here, sipping my hot cocoa on a cozy winter evening, my thoughts wander towards the snow that blankets the world outside. And as I ponder over the white wonderland, the lines of Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem, The Snow-Storm, come to mind. The poem captures the essence of a snowstorm, and the deeper meanings that lie beneath the surface. With a keen eye for nature and a profound understanding of human emotions, Emerson creates a vivid picture of a snowstorm that is both captivating and thought-provoking.

Background

Ralph Waldo Emerson was a celebrated American essayist, lecturer, and poet of the 19th century. He is known for his transcendentalist philosophy, which emphasized the importance of individualism, nature, and the spiritual world. The Snow-Storm was first published in 1847, in Emerson's collection of poems, "Poems". The poem is an ode to nature, and it celebrates the beauty and power of a snowstorm.

Analysis

The Snow-Storm is a poem of twelve stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB. The meter and rhyme scheme give the poem a musical quality, which adds to its charm.

The poem opens with the lines:

"Announced by all the trumpets of the sky, Arrives the snow, and, driving o'er the fields, Seems nowhere to alight: the whited air Hides hills and woods, the river, and the heaven,"

The opening lines set the tone for the poem, and introduce the reader to the snowstorm. The snowstorm is described as a grand event, announced by the trumpets of the sky. The snow is personified as a driver, who seems to have no destination. The whiteness of the snow hides everything in sight, creating a world of its own.

The second stanza reads:

" And veiled the farm-house at the garden's end, The sled and traveller stopped, the courier's feet Delayed, all friends shut out, the housemates sit Around the radiant fireplace, enclosed"

Here, Emerson portrays the impact of the snowstorm on human life. The snow veils the farm-house, and brings life to a standstill. The sled and traveller stop, and the courier's feet are delayed. The snowstorm separates people from each other, shutting out friends and leaving housemates enclosed around the fireplace. Emerson is depicting the power of nature and its impact on human life.

In the third stanza, Emerson writes:

"Then suffused with a strange and solemn delight, The roseate hues of early dawn, and soon The silvery whiteness of the high noontide, And evening, and unwelcome night again."

Here, Emerson describes the changing hues of the snowstorm, from the roseate hues of early dawn to the silvery whiteness of high noon, and finally to the unwelcome night again. The shifting colors of the snowstorm reflect the changing moods of nature, and the cyclical nature of life.

In the fourth stanza, Emerson writes:

"The forest's growth offers shelter to the deer And bird, and creeping forms, and man is born In midst of them, he once who fashioned well The lyre of Orpheus such a man was he!"

Here, Emerson acknowledges the role of the forest in providing shelter to animals and humans alike. He also references Orpheus, the legendary musician and poet of Greek mythology. Emerson is implying that the snowstorm, like the forest and the lyre of Orpheus, is a symbol of beauty and creativity.

As the poem progresses, Emerson continues to describe the snowstorm in vivid detail, highlighting the power of nature and its impact on human life. In the tenth stanza, he writes:

" Ah! well I mind the frosty silences, The forest's deathlike sleep, that seemed no more The whispering of a hidden rivulet Than the dead calmness of the heart that slept."

Here, Emerson is describing the silence and stillness of the forest during a snowstorm. The forest is compared to a sleeping heart, which is devoid of life and movement. The snowstorm is a symbol of death, and it reminds us of the transience of life.

In the eleventh and twelfth stanzas, Emerson writes:

"And yet it moves onward like a mighty cause, And steals with silent pace its widening way; Storming alike the earth and the sky, It scatters forth its snows upon the ground, And leaves a deathlike stillness all around."

Here, Emerson personifies the snowstorm as a mighty cause, which moves onward with silent pace. The snowstorm is described as a force of nature that storms the earth and sky, scattering its snows upon the ground. The final lines of the poem leave us with a sense of stillness and death, as the snowstorm departs, leaving behind a deathlike silence.

Conclusion

The Snow-Storm is a masterpiece of poetry, which captures the beauty and power of nature. Ralph Waldo Emerson has painted a vivid picture of a snowstorm, and has imbued it with deeper meanings that resonate with readers even today. The poem reminds us of the transience of life, and the cyclical nature of nature. It also highlights the impact of nature on human life, and the power of creativity and beauty. As I finish my hot cocoa and look out of the window at the snow-covered world outside, I can't help but feel grateful for Emerson's words, which have given me a new appreciation for the snowstorm.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Snow-Storm: An Analysis of Ralph Waldo Emerson's Classic Poem

As the winter season approaches, one cannot help but think of the beauty and wonder that comes with the snow. The Snow-Storm, a classic poem written by Ralph Waldo Emerson, captures the essence of a snowstorm and the emotions it evokes. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the themes, literary devices, and overall message of this timeless piece of literature.

The Snow-Storm is a poem that describes the experience of a snowstorm in great detail. The poem is divided into six stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the snowstorm as it begins to fall. The second stanza describes the snowstorm in more detail, highlighting the beauty of the snowflakes as they fall. The third stanza describes the impact of the snowstorm on the landscape, while the fourth stanza describes the impact on the animals. The fifth stanza describes the impact on humans, while the final stanza concludes the poem with a reflection on the beauty of the snowstorm.

One of the main themes of The Snow-Storm is the power of nature. Emerson portrays the snowstorm as a force of nature that is both beautiful and destructive. The snowstorm is described as "wild" and "fierce," and it is clear that it has the power to transform the landscape. The snowstorm is also described as "pure," which highlights the beauty of nature and its ability to create something so stunning.

Another theme of the poem is the interconnectedness of all things. Emerson describes how the snowstorm affects not only the landscape but also the animals and humans. The snowstorm is described as a "great equalizer," as it affects everyone and everything in its path. This theme is also reflected in the final stanza, where Emerson reflects on the beauty of the snowstorm and how it connects us all.

Emerson uses a variety of literary devices to convey the themes of the poem. One of the most prominent devices is imagery. Emerson uses vivid descriptions of the snowstorm to create a picture in the reader's mind. For example, he describes the snowflakes as "feathers" and "down," which creates a soft and delicate image. He also describes the snowstorm as a "white hurricane," which creates a powerful and awe-inspiring image.

Emerson also uses personification to give the snowstorm a sense of life and power. He describes the snowstorm as a "wild spirit" and a "fierce artificer," which gives it a sense of agency and purpose. This personification helps to convey the idea that the snowstorm is not just a natural phenomenon, but a force to be reckoned with.

Another literary device that Emerson uses is repetition. He repeats the phrase "the snow" throughout the poem, which creates a sense of unity and continuity. This repetition also helps to emphasize the impact of the snowstorm on the landscape, animals, and humans.

The Snow-Storm is a poem that is rich in meaning and symbolism. One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the snowflake. The snowflake is a symbol of individuality and uniqueness, as each snowflake is different from the others. This symbol is used to highlight the beauty of nature and the importance of diversity.

Another symbol in the poem is the color white. White is a symbol of purity and innocence, which is reflected in the description of the snowstorm as "pure." This symbol is used to highlight the beauty of nature and its ability to create something so stunning.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as it reflects on the beauty of the snowstorm and its impact on humanity. Emerson writes, "And when the sun comes out, / After this snow-storm, and the birds / Have all been blown away, / We shall walk in the fields again." This stanza reflects on the idea that even though the snowstorm may be destructive, it is also a source of renewal and rejuvenation. The snowstorm clears away the old and makes way for the new, which is a powerful message of hope and optimism.

In conclusion, The Snow-Storm is a classic poem that captures the beauty and power of nature. Through vivid imagery, personification, and symbolism, Emerson conveys the themes of the interconnectedness of all things and the power of nature. The poem is a reminder of the beauty and wonder that can be found in the natural world, and the importance of preserving it for future generations. As we enter the winter season, let us remember the message of The Snow-Storm and appreciate the beauty of the snow.

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