Wind and Mist by Edward Thomas
The narrative unfolds through a dialogue between two characters who meet at a scenic viewpoint, discussing the landscape and their personal experiences. The setting is a vast, picturesque land, characterized by fields, hills, and a modern house that stands empty. One character expresses admiration for the view, likening it to a game board, while the other reflects on their past connection to the house, revealing a complex relationship with it. The conversation shifts to the emotional weight of memories tied to the house, where the speaker recalls feelings of isolation and discontent despite its beauty. They describe living in a misty, cloud-like environment that distanced them from the earth, leading to a realization of their love for the tangible world only after experiencing the ethereal. The speaker recounts the harsh realities of life in that house, including the struggles of gardening and the birth of a child, which starkly contrast with the idealized vision of their surroundings. The wind emerges as a significant theme, representing both a force of nature and a metaphor for the speaker's internal struggles. They convey a deep connection to the wind, suggesting that it holds their past and identity, while expressing frustration that others cannot comprehend this bond. The dialogue concludes with a longing to revisit the house and the innocence of youth, indicating a desire to reconcile with the past and the complexities of existence. The work explores themes of memory, nature, isolation, and the interplay between reality and perception.
By Edward Thomas · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Nature Writing · 772 words
First lines
They met inside the gateway that gives the view, A hollow land as vast as heaven. "It is A pleasant day, sir. " "A very pleasant day."
"And what a view here. If you like angled fields Of grass and grain bounded by oak and thorn, Here is a league. Had we with Germany To play upon this board it could not be More dear than April has made it with a smile.
What this Textopian page supports
Wind and Mist is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edward Thomas, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Edward Thomas
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Nature Writing, Philosophical Fiction, Modernist Literature
- Length: 772 words
- Structure: 1 section, 30 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for Wind and Mist by Edward Thomas
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work employs lyrical language and explores themes of nature, memory, and existential reflection, characteristic of poetic expression.
- Literary Fiction — The narrative delves into complex human emotions and philosophical musings, typical of literary fiction.
- Nature Writing — The text vividly describes landscapes and the relationship between humans and nature, aligning with the nature writing genre.
- Philosophical Fiction — The dialogue reflects deep philosophical inquiries about existence, perception, and reality.
Tags
Nature · Poetry · Romanticism · Imagery · Symbolism · Mood · Atmosphere · Seasonal · Autumn · Solitude · Reflection · Nostalgia