By: Richard Wilbur
Many people are moved by the poem, Boy in the Window, simply because of the figurative language and deep emotion buried into the words. There are plenty of imagery and poetic sounds in this poem. I believe that is what really makes this poem so strong. Also, the tone is so pronounced in this poem, it’s hard to miss it. The feelings that are put into this poem shows once you read and understand the poem completely. The theme however takes some analysis to get to. To some, the theme is well hidden but if they would sit down and re-read the poem carefully they will catch on to what the theme is.
Imagery is very prominent in this poem to express emotions so that the reader could feel the pain in the words they read. In this poem, the imagery “His tearful sight can hardly reach to where, the pale-faced figure with bitumen eyes” shows the reader that when the snowman is looking in at the boy that he sees the “pale-faced figure” which is the boy. Looking sad, possibly even crying. Later in the poem, it states “He melts enough to drop from one soft eye, a trickle of the purest rain, a tear” meaning that the snowman is so moved by the little boy’s emotions that he even begins to cry. The boy is looking through the window crying, sad because the snowman has to stay outside in the bitter cold. The snowman sees this and is emotionally moved by it and actually melts just enough to let one tiny tear run down his face.
This poem has an almost depressing tone to it. It shows this tone when it says all the different things about how the boy is scared for the snowman because he has to stay outside. But also it has a kind of humorous tone in a way. Especially when you analyze the poem and realize the boy is confused about why the snowman can’t come inside. He is in a warm house, with lights and plenty of love. The boy feels comfortable and just wants the snowman to be comfortable also.
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