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Imagery and Symbolism of "Rhapsody on a Windy Night"
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"Rhapsody on a Windy Night" portrays an image of a street following nightfall. The author suggests different events which take place at varying time intervals throughout the night; from twelve o'clock through to four o'clock, when the night is finally over. The events described are ones often associated with cover and darkness, including a woman walking through the night, with a `torn and stained' dress, probably suggesting a prostitute who is working throughout the night. It talks of a cat who slinks through the night, stalking its prey, devouring the tasty morsels it comes across. Near the end of the poem, the author describes the moonlight, which penetrates `into corners,' revealing what truly happens after the sun sets. The poem closes with a scene of someone returning home late after a long night, entering their home, and preparing to go back out into the world the next day. "The last twist of the knife" implies finality: that the night is now over, and day is now here.
The poem "Rhapsody on a Windy Night" describes how much of the world is dependent on the night for its survival. The first example of this is the actions of a prostitute. These women are looked down upon by society, and thus it is to their advantage to use the cover of the night to maintain their secrecy and privacy. The second example discusses how the cat uses the darkness to its advantage. Just like a young child, swooping on a toy, the cat uses the cover of darkness to escape and hunt in the night, sneaking up on its prey, and collecting what has been lost in the darkness of the night. The author then discusses how the moon is what provides some safety in the darkness of the night. Her light exposes the events of the night, endangering some, providing refuge for others.
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This section contains 315 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) |
