Storm Warnings by Adrienne Rich
Adrienne Rich’s use of detailed structure in his poem Storm Warningsreveals both
literal and metaphorical meanings. Solely based on the title, the speaker observes the
unfolding of an immense storm right in front of his eyes. The storm’s gradual approach
discloses a deeper significance for the speaker in Rich’s ballad. The speaker’s actions
toward the coming storm illustrate the speaker’s character and feelings.
The poem literally demonstrates the speaker’s observation of a coming storm in the
first and second stanza. Although the third and fourth stanza speaks of the storms arrival, it
can also be interpreted in numerous ways based on Rich’s organization of the poem which
reveal a deeper meaning. To illustrate metaphorically, the storm that is occurring in this
poem symbolizes the speaker’s inner conflicts he is struggling with. In the first stanza, “The
glass has been falling all afternoon,” metaphorically symbolizes the speaker’s personal
barometer and how he is feeling gloomy. In addition, the speaker insinuates the idea that all
he can do now is “…close the shutters” in the third stanza which proves that the speaker is
undergoing individual problems that he cannot endure any longer. Moreover, “These are
things that we have learned to do who live in trouble regions,” exemplify how the speaker
has decided that only by accepting the truth will one be able to tolerate everything life
throws.
In conclusion, the title Storm Warnings by Rich relates to both his use of literal and
metaphorical devices throughout the entire poem. Whether the reader chooses to believe
the metaphorical connotation of the poem is entirely justified as well as the literal meaning
of the poem. The storm that occurs outside gradually draws near as well ass the gradual
growth of the speaker’s inner turmoil. All in all, Rich brilliantly constructs a beautiful poem
that is meaningful and straightforward to understand.
Storm Warnings’
‘Storm Warnings’ challenges our natural instinct to reject rather than confront change.
As the unsettled weather closes in, the persona is disturbed from the comfort of her
‘pillowed chair’ and forced to leave behind the imaginary world of her book.
Observing the force of the wind from the closed windows of her home, she secures
the house in an effort to protect herself from the tempest outside. Despite her actions
she remains anxious, aware of the inevitability of change and conscious that there is
little that she can do to avert it. Having closed the shutters and drawn the curtains, she
is protected from the storm. Yet Rich’s acknowledgment of ‘the insistent whine’ of
‘the keyhole draught’ establishes that the persona cannot completely isolate herself.
Rich’s shift from ‘I’ to ‘we’ in the third and fourth stanza of the poem is empowering,
offering an honest admission that it is not unusual to fear change and feel besieged by
life itself.
Given that we hear no criticism in Rich’s voice, her reading of ‘Storm
Warnings’ acknowledges the protagonist’s apprehension of the approaching storm and
the decision to barricade herself inside as reasonable reactions. Rich varies the pitch
and volume of her voice during the reading, reflecting the changeability of life and
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