Winter Syntax by Billy Collins is an allegory for the construction of a complete
sentence, a “complete train of thought”. The poet uses the character and his
struggle against the winter weather conditions to figuratively convey the power
of language in contrast to the “connoisseurship of gesture”, a seemingly much
easier and less arduous task. The development of the character’s increasingly
tough journey corresponds with the metaphorical construction of a complete
sentence and the development of the poem. The extended metaphor is the most
significant aspect in illuminating the poet’s message regarding the power of
language, however the character’s seemingly inexorable struggle and the
arbitrary nature of the stanzas two and three also play an important role in the
densely visual construction of this message.
The allegory on which the poem is constructed, comparing the traveler and his
journey to the struggles facing a writer is suggested by the title “winter Syntax”
and then reinforced by the first line; “a sentence starts out like a lone traveler.”
The explicit use of simile enables the reader to develop an early understanding of
the poems largely figurative content and therefore see past it’s illusion of
complexity and absorb the enthralling imagery. The soft “s” and “l” consonants
emphasize the vulnerability of the character against the harsh blizzard he is
about to face. The poet figuratively describes the landscape as aspects of the
developing sentence to create tension and suspense , leading to the final
expression of the “complete thought”. For example, the “bare branches in winter
are a form of writing”. The alliteration of the harsh “b” consonants suggests that
the construction of the language is more profound than the easy “gestures” due
to the force and weight of each consonant.
The poet then pinpoints individual aspects of the surroundings and uses
metaphor to connect them to a single letter of the continually mounting
development of the sentence metaphorically concealed by the characters
tangible journey. “Every lake is a vowel, every island a noun”. The repetition of
“every” again contributes to the poets expression regarding the immense power
of language and the struggle required to convey logical thoughts to others. The
punchy pace of the phrase mimics the visual appearance of letters on a page,
written in a logical and orderly fashion.
The development of the poem and its allegory is also manifested within line 20
as the traveler leaves a “faint alphabet of bootprints” on his journey through the
“white hills” and the “white “ valleys. The connotations of “faint” suggest that he
is providing the reader with traces of understanding and thus holding their
attention as they wait in suspense for the final “message”. Like the character, the
reader struggles through the “deepening” complex of layers of the poem
symbolized as snow. The “white” nature of the landscape emphasizes these
footprints and contributes to the visual vividness of these natural images.
The second and third stanzas however are incongruent with this allegory, a
diversion from the journey of the character, which seems to be from the poets
perspective. The derogatory undertone regarding “the connoisseurship of
gesture” as a substitution for language emphasizes the weight and significance of
the characters struggle. The overly formal nature of the term “connoisseurship”
emphasizes the mocking tone of the poet and again suggests that gesture is
insignificant. The repetitive nature of lines seven and eight add to the reader’s
perception of the author’s disdainful tone, as the repetition is monotonous and
devoid of the visual imagery permeating through the other enthralling stanzas.
The similes utilized by the poet further suggest that embedded within this
“blazing silence” of gesture are significant flaws. The mocking tone in
combination with the piercing “c” consonants emphasizes these flaws and the
comedic nature of these biased comments.
The diversion of stanzas two and three, despite holding comedic façade,
contribute to the readers understanding and appreciation of the “lone” traveler’s
struggle against the “blizzard” and the “deepening snow”. The profound affect of
the natural surroundings is evident from his reactions “tilting” and “shielding his
face”. However the connotations of these phrases may also intimate that he is
hiding something or has not revealed all. This relates to the overriding allegory
in that the sentence has only just started. The traveler is also wearing a “coat”, a
garment of “cover” further foreshadowing the vivid journey and message which
is to be unveiled.
The final stanza of the poem leaves the reader with the impression that writing,
although an arduous task, can have a significant affect on the individual who
chooses to pursue the struggle. Although the lone traveler started out in a
blizzard he persisted through the “misery” and there is a sense of
accomplishment evident through the ” smile “ in his “beard of icicles”. It is clear
that the an has undergone a challenging task filled with obstacles as he stands
”shivering, draped in a sparkling frost.” Initially he is covered in a coat but now
draped in the remnants of his natural surroundings, there is a sense of finality
and acceptance. The writer has become one with his struggles, emphasizing the
metaphorical completion of the sentence composed of “bare branches” “lakes”
and “islands”.
The poet vividly illuminates the struggles of a writer and capture the power of
language through intensely rich and symbolic images of the winter conditions
and the underlining allegory. The reader is left with a unique outlook regarding
the power and influence of writing and is able to better understand the
“blizzard” of obstacles that a writer faces.