NCERT Class 9 English – Wind (Detailed Explanation)
Poem: Wind
Poet: Subramania Bharati
Translated by: A. K. Ramanujan
The poem presents the wind as a powerful force of nature. It symbolizes the difficulties, challenges, and hardships of life. The poet advises us to become strong so that we can face these challenges successfully. (successcds)
About the Poet
Subramania Bharati (1882–1921) was a famous Tamil poet, journalist, social reformer, and freedom fighter. He is known for his patriotic poems and inspiring messages of courage and self-reliance. (NCERT Library)
Stanza-wise Explanation
Stanza 1
Wind, come softly.
Don't break the shutters of the windows.
Don't scatter the papers.
Don't throw down the books on the shelf.
Explanation
The poet speaks directly to the wind and requests it to blow gently. He asks it not to break the window shutters, scatter papers, or throw books from the shelf. Here, the wind is personified because it is addressed like a human being.
Meaning: The poet initially wishes that life's difficulties would come gently and not disturb our peace. (successcds)
Stanza 2
There, look what you did—you threw them all down.
You tore the pages of the books.
You brought rain again.
You're very clever at poking fun at weaklings.
Explanation
The wind does not listen to the poet's request. It throws books down, tears their pages, and brings rain. The poet sarcastically says that the wind is clever because it always attacks weak things.
Meaning: Difficulties often affect weak people more severely. Problems test those who are not prepared. (successcds)
Stanza 3
Frail crumbling houses, crumbling doors, crumbling rafters,
Crumbling wood, crumbling bodies, crumbling lives,
Crumbling hearts—
Explanation
The poet lists weak and broken things that the wind destroys. Weak houses, doors, wood, bodies, lives, and hearts cannot withstand the force of the wind.
Meaning: People who lack courage, determination, and confidence are easily defeated by hardships. The repetition of the word "crumbling" emphasizes weakness and destruction. (successcds)
Stanza 4
The wind god winnows and crushes them all.
Explanation
The wind is compared to a powerful god who separates strong things from weak ones and destroys the weak.
Meaning: Challenges in life reveal who is strong and who is weak. Only strong people survive difficulties successfully. (Aakash Institute)
Stanza 5
He won't do what you tell him.
So, come, let's build strong homes,
Let's join the doors firmly.
Practice to firm the body.
Make the heart steadfast.
Explanation
The poet says that the wind will never obey our wishes. Therefore, instead of complaining, we should prepare ourselves. We should build strong houses, strengthen our bodies, and make our hearts firm and courageous.
Meaning: We cannot avoid difficulties, but we can make ourselves strong enough to face them. (successcds)
Stanza 6
Do this, and the wind will be friends with us.
The wind blows out weak fires.
He makes strong fires roar and flourish.
Explanation
If we become strong, the wind will become our friend. The wind extinguishes weak fires but makes strong fires burn even brighter.
Meaning: Challenges destroy weak people but make strong people stronger and more successful. (successcds)
Stanza 7
His friendship is good.
We praise him every day.
Explanation
The poet concludes that the wind becomes beneficial for strong people. Therefore, we should welcome challenges because they help us grow and become stronger.
Meaning: Hardships are not enemies; they are opportunities for growth and self-improvement. (successcds)
Central Idea
The poem teaches that difficulties and challenges are a part of life. Weak people are easily defeated by them, while strong and determined people become stronger. Therefore, we should develop physical strength, mental courage, and self-confidence to face every challenge successfully. (NCERT Library)
Theme of the Poem
Importance of strength and courage.
Challenges make us stronger.
Self-reliance and determination.
Positive attitude towards difficulties. (Orchids The International School)
Poetic Devices
| Device | Example |
|---|
| Personification | "Wind, come softly" |
| Repetition | "crumbling houses, crumbling doors..." |
| Alliteration | "wind blows out weak fires" |
| Symbolism | Wind symbolizes difficulties and hardships |
| Anaphora | Repeated use of "Don't" in the first stanza |
Important Exam Questions
1. What does the wind symbolize?
The wind symbolizes the difficulties, challenges, and hardships of life.
2. Why does the poet ask the wind to come softly?
Because strong wind causes destruction by breaking and scattering things.
3. Who are the weaklings in the poem?
People who lack courage, confidence, and determination.
4. How can we make the wind our friend?
By becoming physically and mentally strong.
5. What is the message of the poem?
Face challenges bravely and develop inner strength because hardships make us stronger.
Moral: Challenges do not break strong people; they make them stronger. (successcds)
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