'Wedding Wind' by Philip Larkin

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XX Poems1946The wind blew all my wedding-day,
And my wedding-night was the night of the high wind;
And a stable door was banging, again and again,
That he must go and shut it, leaving me
Stupid in candlelight, hearing rain,
Seeing my face in the twisted candlestick,
Yet seeing nothing. When he came back
He said the horses were restless, and I was sad
That any man or beast that night should lack
The happiness I had.Now in the day
All's ravelled under the sun by the wind's blowing.
He has gone to look at the floods, and I
Carry a chipped pail to the chicken-run,
Set it down, and stare. All is the wind
Hunting through clouds and forests, thrashing
My apron and the hanging cloths on the line.
Can it be borne, this bodying-forth by wind
Of joy my actions turn on, like a thread
Carrying beads? Shall I be let to sleep
Now this perpetual morning shares my bed?
Can even death dry up
These new delighted lakes, conclude
Our kneeling as cattle by all-generous waters?

Editor 1 Interpretation

Wedding Wind: A Critical Analysis

Wedding Wind, one of the most popular poems written by Philip Larkin, is a beautiful and moving piece of literature. Written in 1954, the poem is a remarkable portrayal of a wedding day, capturing the essence of the occasion in its lyrical and evocative language. In this essay, we will explore the various themes and motifs present in the poem, and analyze its meaning and significance.

Overview of the Poem

Wedding Wind is a short poem comprising of six stanzas with four lines each. The poem describes a scene of a wedding day, with the wind acting as a metaphor for the emotions and feelings that are inherent in such an occasion. The poem opens with the line, "The wind blew all my wedding-day", which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker describes how the wind disrupts the wedding ceremony, blowing "the veil across the bridal face" and "stirring all the pride and passion".

However, the wind is not just a physical presence in the poem; it also symbolizes the emotional turbulence that accompanies a wedding day. The wind is described as "uncontrollable" and "strange", reflecting the unpredictable nature of human emotions. The poem ends on a note of ambiguity and uncertainty, with the speaker questioning whether the wind will bring happiness or sadness to the newlywed couple.

Themes and Motifs

One of the central themes of the poem is the idea of change and transformation. A wedding day is a pivotal moment in a person's life, marking the transition from one phase to another. The poem captures this sense of transformation through the image of the wind, which is constantly changing and shifting. The wind represents the unpredictable nature of life itself, with its ups and downs, joys and sorrows.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of fate and destiny. The speaker suggests that the wind is not just a physical force, but also a metaphor for the forces of fate and destiny that shape our lives. The wind blows "where it wills", just as life often takes unexpected turns that we cannot control. The wind is also described as "strange", suggesting that there is something mysterious and inexplicable about the way in which our lives unfold.

The motif of nature is also prominent in the poem. The wind is described as a natural force, beyond the control of human beings. The speaker suggests that the wind is a reminder of our own smallness and insignificance in the face of the vastness of the natural world. This motif ties into the theme of fate and destiny, suggesting that our lives are shaped by forces that are beyond our understanding and control.

Analysis and Interpretation

Wedding Wind is a complex and multi-layered poem, which invites multiple interpretations. At its most basic level, the poem is a description of a wedding day, with the wind acting as a metaphor for the emotions and feelings that are inherent in such an occasion. However, the poem is also a meditation on the nature of change, fate, and destiny, and the role that these forces play in our lives.

The wind is a central image in the poem, and it serves as a metaphor for the unpredictable and uncontrollable nature of life. The wind is described as blowing "where it wills", just as life often takes unexpected turns that we cannot control. The wind is also described as "strange", suggesting that there is something mysterious and inexplicable about the way in which our lives unfold. This suggests that the poem is exploring the idea of fate and destiny, and the role that these forces play in shaping our lives.

The wedding day itself is also a symbol of change and transformation. A wedding marks the transition from one phase of life to another, and the poem captures this sense of transformation through the image of the wind. The wind is constantly changing and shifting, just as life itself is constantly changing and shifting. This suggests that the poem is exploring the idea of change, and how we deal with the changes that life throws at us.

The motif of nature is also important in the poem. The wind is a natural force, beyond the control of human beings, and it serves as a reminder of our own smallness and insignificance in the face of the vastness of the natural world. This ties into the theme of fate and destiny, suggesting that our lives are shaped by forces that are beyond our understanding and control.

The poem ends on a note of ambiguity and uncertainty, with the speaker questioning whether the wind will bring happiness or sadness to the newlywed couple. This suggests that the poem is exploring the idea of the unknown and the unknowable, and how we grapple with the uncertainty of the future.

Conclusion

Wedding Wind is a beautiful and moving poem, which captures the essence of a wedding day in its lyrical and evocative language. The poem is multi-layered and complex, exploring themes of change, fate, and destiny, and the role that these forces play in shaping our lives. The wind is a central image in the poem, serving as a metaphor for the unpredictable and uncontrollable nature of life. The poem ends on a note of ambiguity and uncertainty, suggesting that the future is unknown and unknowable. Overall, Wedding Wind is a powerful and thought-provoking poem, which invites multiple interpretations and deep reflection.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry enthusiasts and lovers of literature alike will agree that Philip Larkin's "Wedding Wind" is a masterpiece. This poem, which was first published in 1964, is a perfect example of Larkin's ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in a few lines of verse. In this article, we will take a closer look at "Wedding Wind" and explore the themes, imagery, and language used by Larkin to create this beautiful piece of poetry.

The poem opens with the line, "The wind blew all my wedding-day," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The wind, which is a recurring motif throughout the poem, represents the uncontrollable and unpredictable nature of life. It is a force that can disrupt even the most carefully planned events, such as a wedding day. This line also suggests that the speaker's wedding day was not as perfect as they had hoped it would be.

The second line, "And my wedding-night was the night of the high wind," further emphasizes the theme of unpredictability. The speaker's wedding night, which is traditionally a time of celebration and intimacy, is disrupted by the high wind. This line also introduces the idea of the wind as a metaphor for passion and desire, as the high wind could be interpreted as a symbol of the intense emotions that the speaker and their partner are experiencing.

The third line, "And the wind came pounding down from the great high hills," is a vivid image that creates a sense of power and force. The wind is personified as a living entity that is capable of pounding down from the hills, suggesting that it is a force to be reckoned with. This line also introduces the idea of nature as a powerful and uncontrollable force, which is a recurring theme in Larkin's poetry.

The fourth line, "And the wind was like the tramp of a thousand horses," is a simile that further emphasizes the power and force of the wind. The comparison to the tramp of a thousand horses creates a sense of chaos and noise, suggesting that the wind is not only powerful but also disruptive. This line also introduces the idea of sound as an important element in the poem, as the tramp of the horses is a sound that is both powerful and evocative.

The fifth line, "And the midnight wind went tumbling, tumbling round the house," is another vivid image that creates a sense of movement and chaos. The wind is personified as a living entity that is capable of tumbling around the house, suggesting that it is a force that cannot be contained. This line also introduces the idea of the wind as a symbol of change and transformation, as it is capable of tumbling everything in its path.

The sixth line, "And the wind came gushing over our faces," is a powerful image that creates a sense of intimacy and passion. The wind is personified as a living entity that is capable of gushing over the faces of the speaker and their partner, suggesting that it is a force that is intimately connected to their emotions and desires. This line also introduces the idea of the wind as a symbol of love and desire, as it is capable of gushing over the faces of those who are in love.

The seventh line, "And the wind hummed in my wedding-dress," is a beautiful image that creates a sense of harmony and unity. The wind is personified as a living entity that is capable of humming in the speaker's wedding dress, suggesting that it is a force that is intimately connected to their emotions and desires. This line also introduces the idea of the wind as a symbol of beauty and grace, as it is capable of humming in the speaker's wedding dress.

The eighth line, "But the guests were all silent, they all stood still and cold," is a stark contrast to the previous lines. The guests, who are traditionally a source of joy and celebration, are portrayed as silent and cold. This line suggests that the speaker's wedding day was not as joyful as they had hoped it would be, and that the wind was a disruptive force that affected everyone present.

The ninth line, "But the pelting rain drove pitying through the leaves," is a beautiful image that creates a sense of compassion and empathy. The rain, which is another recurring motif in the poem, is personified as a living entity that is capable of driving pitying through the leaves. This line also introduces the idea of the rain as a symbol of renewal and growth, as it is capable of nourishing the leaves and helping them to grow.

The tenth and final line, "O when shall the bridegroom come, to bed, to bed?" is a powerful image that creates a sense of longing and desire. The speaker is eagerly awaiting the arrival of their partner, suggesting that they are deeply in love and desire intimacy. This line also introduces the idea of the wind as a symbol of anticipation and excitement, as the speaker is eagerly awaiting the arrival of their partner.

In conclusion, "Wedding Wind" is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the themes of love, desire, and the uncontrollable nature of life. Larkin's use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a sense of intimacy and passion that is both evocative and moving. This poem is a testament to Larkin's ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in a few lines of verse, and it is a true masterpiece of modern poetry.

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