Social Change and "Ode to the West Wind"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the concept of change and revolution in Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem "Ode to the West Wind". The paper points out that Shelley's poetry and theories embody many of the characteristics that typify the Romantic period, such as the rejection of social norms and conventions, as well as themes of dejection, loss and alienation. The paper asserts that the poem is a lamentation of the loss brought on to nature through the west wind during the winter months. However, at the same time, the speaker seeks refuge in the anticipated regeneration of nature which occurs in the spring through the same force of the west wind. The paper concludes that, through this similar process, Shelley exults in the idea that his poem will have a similar influence on society and future generations as the west wind has on nature.

From the Paper:

"The second section of this poem, which includes stanzas four and five, reveals that Shelley is able to seek delight in the fact that his writings could potentially have similar consequences to society as the West Wind has on nature. In the fourth stanza, Shelley expresses his desire for nature as he prays to a greater force by saying "Oh lift me as a wave, a leaf, a cloud" (53). This plea by Shelley exemplifies the power that he believes nature possesses, as he now feels inferior to the power inherited in nature and begs for nature's mercy. Moreover, Shelley comes to the realization that the only way in which he can ultimately acquire the power of the wind is through the process of death, as with death, come rebirth in the naturalistic realm. This is evident as Shelley proclaims "I fall upon the thorns of life! I bled!" (54). Shelley then shows his understanding of the inevitability of his death as he state "A heavy weight of hours has chained and bowed/ One too like thee--tameless, and swift, and proud" (55-56). Not only does Shelley understand this inevitability, but he reveals that he may be undeserving of the inevitable death as he has been "chained" to the confinement of humanity, in which Shelley himself will not regenerate even though he is an individual of pride. He also appears to be attempting to plea with the wind, as he parallels himself to the personification that he gave to the wind such as wild and tameless."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Shelly, Percy B. "Ode to the West Wind". Romanticism: An Anthology (3rd Edition). Ed. Duncan Wu. Malden, USA: Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2006. 1175-1177.

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• Analytical Essay # 141278 : "The Journey to the West"

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