Snow-Bound: A Winter Idyl: Analysis of Major Characters
"Snow-Bound: A Winter Idyl" is a reflective poem that captures a family's experience during a heavy snowfall, evoking nostalgia and the warmth of familial bonds. The characters within this cozy setting each contribute unique perspectives and stories, enriching the narrative. The Poet, recalling his boyhood, embodies the beauty and joy of winter. In contrast, Our Father shares adventurous tales, reflecting a robust, action-oriented character. Our Mother, weaving stories from her girlhood and literature, highlights a nurturing presence tied to history and culture.
The Uncle, knowledgeable about nature, represents a connection to the environment, while Our Dear Aunt exemplifies selfless faith. The Elder Sister showcases traits of impulsiveness and justice, balancing the sweetness of the Youngest Sister, whose loving demeanor adds warmth to the family dynamic. The Brother, along with the Poet, remains a link to the shared past. The Schoolmaster, despite his modest background, inspires as a dedicated educator. Lastly, Another Guest, Harriet Livermore, introduces an element of eccentricity and intensity, foreshadowing broader themes of belief and prophecy. Together, these characters create a rich tapestry that reflects themes of memory, family, and the interplay between human experiences and the natural world.
Snow-Bound: A Winter Idyl: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
First published: 1866
Genre: Poetry
Locale: Haverhill, Massachusetts
Plot: Idyll
Time: Early nineteenth century
The Poet, who remembers a great snowfall of his boyhood, with all its beauty and attendant pleasures.
Our Father, the poet's father, a man of action. To the snow-bound group collected around the fire, he tells stories of adventures with Indians, of fishing trips, and of witches reputed to have inhabited the land long ago.
Our Mother, who, while turning her wheel, tells of Indian raids, of her happy girlhood, and of stories read in books by famous and revered Quakers.
Our Uncle, who is innocent of books. He shares his knowledge of nature: moons and tides, weather signs, and birds and beasts.
OurDearAunt, a selfless unmarried woman of simple faith.
The Elder Sister, who is impulsive, generous, truthful, and sternly just.
The Youngest Sister, the dearest, a sweet and loving girl.
Brother, the only one of the happy group, besides the poet, now living.
The Schoolmaster, a boarder in the Whittier home. A poor man's son, he learned independence as a boy. Seemingly carefree and boyish, he is an earnest shaper of youthful minds. The cause of freedom should have many young apostles like him.
Another Guest (Harriet Livermore), a strange, half-feared, half-welcome woman, violent of temper, eccentric, cultured, and intense. Later, she will go to Europe and the Near East, prophesying the imminent second coming of Christ.