After a Winter's Silence by May Sarton - Book Report/Review Example

The poetess then talks about the sudden changes that are influenced by this change of season. The world becomes warmer, happier, full of life and energy. Conclusively, she sends across the message that rising above and using one's tenacity is the nom of life, just as every manifestation of nature does so!Theme Of The PoemThe themes of the poem are not singular since the poem can be interpreted from multiple facets of understanding and comprehension. Along the terrace wallSnowdrops have pushed throughHard ice, making a pool.

Delicate stems now showWhite bells as thoughThe force, the thrust to flowerWhere nothing at all.The first few lines of the poem, establish the literal theme of nature and the innate tenacity that the poetess associated with every form of nature. The poet gives us exemplary situations when snowdrops push through hard ice to give way to a pool of water and when the white bells push their way to hard tree stems, to bloom into flowers. She evidently talks about the greatness and richness of nature, besides the in-born quality of every aspect of nature, to fight back and prove victorious.

Who gives them the powerThis line diverts the theme of the poem from talking only about nature to exploring a greater notion---that of the creator and creation idea. The poet establishes the theme of the Creator, who bestows all goodness and well-being upon His creations. It could also be viewed upon as an invocation of His guidance, in the first stanza of the poem, in accordance with the Greek tradition. The above lines reveal the very ecstasy the poetess feels, as the seasons change. This puts forth the theme of the beauty of seasons.

It also explores the facet of changing times. Time is a wheel and it keeps changing. Time may bring happy tidings or sorrowful news. Whatever be the case, one must not forget that nothing is constant or stagnant in life---one must surely enjoy every aspect of life, that is a precious gift.So when that inner oneGives life back the powerTo rise up and push through,The poetess here embeds the theme of the two wings of life-joy and sorrow, comfort and hardship. She says that life is not always a bed of roses since one is very often pricked by the thorns surrounding the roses.

However, what keeps one going is one's conscience-the voice of the Creator, that eggs us on to battle it out, all over again. It is a decree of nature, that hardships are inevitable. Successful is the one who understands this and takes on a pragmatic and brave approach towards life.There's nothing to it.We simply have to do it,As snowdrops knowWhen snowdrops flowerThese last lines establish a new theme-that of the temporariness of life on earth. The poetess reflects that life on earth is just a transient phase.

One has to follow the norm of life---one has to expire and leave this materialistic world someday, whether it is in accordance with one's wishes or not. We need to 'rise up' as and when we receive the call to do so. Prior to that, one must enjoy life no earth in all its beauty, as well as torment. ConclusionThus, the poetess establishes five central themes that need profound reading. The literal meaning only conveys the laws of nature. However, a deeper reading and comprehension will divulge all the above-mentioned themes of the poem.