The Wind begun to knead the Grass by Emily Dickinson: Summary & Analysis

Mason August 22, 2024

"The Wind begun to knead the Grass" is a vivid and dynamic poem by Emily Dickinson, which captures the wild energy of an approaching storm. Sent to her friend Elizabeth Holland, the poem uses personification and striking imagery to depict the natural forces at play as a storm brews and eventually breaks. Dickinson's powerful use of language transforms the landscape into a scene of chaotic beauty, reflecting her deep connection to nature and her ability to convey its intense moments with both precision and emotional depth.

Poem: "The Wind begun to knead the Grass"

The Wind begun to knead the Grass –
As Women do a Dough –
He flung a Hand full at the Plain –
A Hand full at the Sky –
The Leaves unhooked themselves from Trees –
And started all abroad –
The Dust did scoop itself like Hands –
And throw away the Road –
The Wagons quickened on the Street –
The Thunders gossiped low –
The Lightning showed a Yellow Head –
And then a livid Toe –
The Birds put up the Bars to Nests –
The Cattle flung to Barns –
Then came one drop of Giant Rain –
And then, as if the Hands
That held the Dams – had parted hold –
The Waters Wrecked the Sky –
But overlooked my Father's House –
Just Quartering a Tree –

Summary of "The Wind begun to knead the Grass"

In this poem, Dickinson describes the buildup and onset of a storm in a highly personified and animated way. The wind is likened to a woman kneading dough, as it sweeps across the landscape, throwing handfuls of force at both the plain and the sky. The leaves detach from trees, dust swirls like hands, and even the wagons on the street quicken their pace. Thunder murmurs, lightning reveals itself in a series of flashes, and birds and cattle hurry to safety. As the storm reaches its peak, a single, massive drop of rain falls, followed by a torrential downpour that seems to break the sky open. Despite the storm's fury, the speaker notes that their father's house is spared, though a tree is struck nearby.

Critical Analysis of "The Wind begun to knead the Grass"

Personification: Dickinson heavily personifies the elements in this poem, particularly the wind, which is described as kneading the grass "As Women do a Dough." This personification gives the natural forces a sense of intentionality and power, making the storm feel almost sentient.
Imagery: The poem is rich with vivid imagery, such as "The Dust did scoop itself like Hands" and "The Lightning showed a Yellow Head." These images create a dynamic and almost chaotic scene, where nature is both awe-inspiring and fearsome.
Symbolism: The storm could be seen as symbolizing uncontrollable and unpredictable forces in life, whether they be natural, emotional, or situational. The sparing of the speaker's father's house suggests themes of protection and resilience in the face of such forces.
Tone: The tone of the poem is one of both reverence and tension. While the storm is depicted with beauty and grandeur, there is also an underlying sense of danger and the potential for destruction.

Themes in "The Wind begun to knead the Grass"

Nature's Power: The poem highlights the immense power and unpredictability of nature, as seen through the depiction of the storm. Dickinson captures the way in which natural forces can disrupt and dominate the landscape.
Human Vulnerability: The sparing of the speaker's father's house amidst the storm suggests human vulnerability in the face of natural forces. It underscores the idea that while nature can be benevolent, it can also be indifferent to human concerns.
Protection and Providence: Despite the storm's wrath, the poem hints at a sense of protection, as the speaker's home is overlooked by the storm. This could imply a theme of divine or natural providence, where some are spared while others are not.

Literary Devices in "The Wind begun to knead the Grass"

Personification: The wind is personified as a woman kneading dough, and the dust as hands scooping themselves. These personifications make the natural elements seem active and alive, contributing to the poem's dynamic energy.
Simile: The comparison of the wind's movement to a woman kneading dough is a powerful simile that conveys the thorough and methodical nature of the wind's force.
Imagery: The poem is filled with vivid, sensory imagery that paints a picture of the storm's progression. Dickinson uses sight, sound, and touch to immerse the reader in the experience of the storm.
Symbolism: The storm serves as a symbol for larger, uncontrollable forces, be they natural, emotional, or societal. The sparing of the speaker's home introduces themes of fate and providence.

Stylistic Analysis of "The Wind begun to knead the Grass"

Form: The poem's structure is free and flowing, much like the storm it describes. The lack of a strict rhyme scheme or meter allows the poem to move unpredictably, mimicking the natural force it depicts.
Language: Dickinson's language in this poem is dynamic and full of motion, with verbs like "knead," "flung," and "wrecked" conveying the forceful actions of the storm. Her choice of words emphasizes the storm's power and unpredictability.
Structure: The poem's structure reflects the storm's buildup, climax, and resolution. It starts with the wind's gradual gathering of force, moves through the chaos of the storm's peak, and ends with the quiet aftermath, where only a tree is damaged near the speaker's home.