“The North Wind Doth Blow” by Mother Goose: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “The North Wind Doth Blow” by Mother Goose

“The North Wind Doth Blow” by Mother Goose first appeared in the early 18th century in collections of English nursery rhymes. Though its exact year of origin remains unclear, it was popularized through oral tradition and later anthologized in printed collections of nursery rhymes for children. The song is often sung with a simple, repetitive melody, capturing the rhythmic quality of traditional folk tunes. Its main ideas revolve around the harshness of winter, personifying the cold North Wind and describing how various animals, such as the robin, respond to the season. Through gentle verses, the rhyme conveys themes of endurance and adaptation to nature’s changes, offering a soothing yet vivid portrayal of seasonal cycles.

Text: “The North Wind Doth Blow” by Mother Goose

Annotations: “The North Wind Doth Blow” by Mother Goose

Line	Structural Devices	Poetic Devices	Rhetorical Devices	Literary Devices	Annotations
The North wind doth blow,	Consonance	Simple rhyme	None	None	The poem begins with a simple statement about the weather.
And we shall have snow,	Consonance	Simple rhyme	None	None	It continues to describe the expected consequences of the wind.
And what will poor robin do then, poor thing?	Rhyme, Repetition	Question	Pathos	None	The poem shifts focus to the plight of a robin in such weather.
He’ll sit in a barn,	Simple rhyme	None	None	None	The robin is presented with a solution to the harsh conditions.
And keep himself warm,	Simple rhyme	None	None	None	The solution is further elaborated.
And hide his head under his wing, poor thing.	Rhyme, Repetition	Metaphor	Pathos	None	The robin’s actions are described in a sympathetic manner.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “The North Wind Doth Blow” by Mother Goose

Device	Definition	Example from Poem	Analysis
Anaphora	The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.	“And we shall have snow, And what will poor robin do then, poor thing?”	The repetition of “And” emphasizes the sequence of events.
Assonance	The repetition of vowel sounds within words.	“He’ll sit in a barn, And keep himself warm”	The repetition of the “a” sound creates a soothing and comforting tone.
Consonance	The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words.	“The North wind doth blow”	The repetition of the “n” and “d” sounds contributes to the overall sound of the poem.
Enjambment	The continuation of a sentence or thought from one line of poetry to the next.	“And we shall have snow, And what will poor robin do then, poor thing?”	The enjambment creates a sense of urgency and anticipation.
Metaphor	A figure of speech that compares two unlike things without using “like” or “as.”	“And hide his head under his wing”	The comparison of the robin’s head to a wing suggests a sense of vulnerability and protection.
Onomatopoeia	The use of words that imitate the sounds they describe.	Not present in this poem.
Parallelism	The use of similar grammatical structures or patterns.	“The North wind doth blow, And we shall have snow”	The parallel structure creates a sense of balance and rhythm.
Personification	The attribution of human qualities to non-human entities.	Not present in this poem.
Repetition	The repeated use of words, phrases, or sounds.	“poor thing”	The repetition of “poor thing” emphasizes the robin’s plight and evokes sympathy.
Rhyme	The repetition of sounds at the end of words.	“blow, snow”	The rhyme scheme creates a musical and memorable quality.
Simile	A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using “like” or “as.”	Not present in this poem.

Themes: “The North Wind Doth Blow” by Mother Goose

1. Harshness of Winter: “The North Wind Doth Blow” embodies the harsh, unforgiving nature of winter. The very first line, “The North Wind doth blow,” immediately personifies the wind, giving it an active and almost menacing role in the narrative. The cold and biting winds are typical of winter, and the poem emphasizes the physical impact of this weather on animals, particularly the robin, who is left shivering in the storm. This highlights nature’s severity and the challenges living creatures face during the coldest months.
2. Endurance and Survival: A key theme of the rhyme is survival in difficult conditions. The robin “will sit in a barn, to keep himself warm,” indicating the bird’s resourcefulness and ability to endure the cold by seeking shelter. This speaks to the broader theme of finding ways to survive and adapt during tough times. Despite the discomfort and hardship brought by the North Wind, the animals in the poem demonstrate resilience by using what they have to persevere through the winter.
3. The Vulnerability of Nature: The poem also portrays the vulnerability of animals in the face of natural elements. The robin is described as “shivering,” a word that evokes sympathy and illustrates the helplessness that creatures often feel when confronted by the cold. This theme reflects a broader understanding of how nature’s gentler creatures, especially birds, are subject to the whims of seasonal change and must rely on their instincts and surroundings for survival.
4. Compassion and Care: While the poem centers on the struggles of animals, there is an underlying theme of compassion. By focusing on the plight of the robin, the poem invites readers to feel empathy for the bird as it battles the cold. This subtle message encourages an awareness of the hardships faced by animals during winter, reminding us of the importance of care and kindness toward all creatures, especially in challenging times. This theme of compassion can be seen in the simplicity of the robin’s quest for warmth, evoking a sense of shared humanity in its vulnerability.

Literary Theories and “The North Wind Doth Blow” by Mother Goose

Literary Theory	Application to the Poem	Reference from the Poem
Ecocriticism	Ecocriticism focuses on the relationship between literature and the natural environment. In this poem, nature, particularly the North Wind, is depicted as a powerful force that affects the lives of animals. It raises awareness about the vulnerability of creatures to environmental changes.	“The North Wind doth blow, and we shall have snow, and what will poor robin do then, poor thing?” — The robin’s plight reflects the impact of harsh winter conditions on animals, a key concern of ecocriticism.
New Criticism	New Criticism emphasizes close reading and analysis of the text itself, focusing on formal elements like imagery, symbolism, and structure. The poem’s simplicity, use of personification, and vivid imagery serve to convey deeper meanings about endurance and survival.	“He’ll sit in a barn, to keep himself warm” — This line can be closely analyzed to reveal themes of survival, adaptation, and resourcefulness in the face of adversity.
Reader-Response Theory	This theory highlights the interaction between the reader and the text, where meaning is shaped by the reader’s interpretation and emotional response. Readers may feel sympathy for the robin and reflect on how they personally respond to nature and the challenges of winter.	“And what will poor robin do then?” — This question invites the reader to empathize with the robin and imagine solutions, creating an interactive experience with the text.

Critical Questions about “The North Wind Doth Blow” by Mother Goose

• What is the significance of personifying the North Wind in the poem?
• The personification of the North Wind as an active force suggests a deeper connection between nature and human emotions. By attributing human-like characteristics to the wind, the poem enhances the sense of winter as something that is not merely a backdrop but a powerful, almost sentient force. The phrase “The North Wind doth blow” positions the wind as the central actor, emphasizing its impact on the animals and their environment. This personification helps convey the wind’s menacing qualities, transforming it into an almost adversarial presence, which the creatures must face and endure.
• How does the poem convey the theme of adaptation to nature’s changes?
• The robin’s response to the North Wind, as described in the poem—”He’ll sit in a barn, to keep himself warm”—reflects the theme of adaptation to challenging conditions. The robin seeks shelter from the cold, which represents how animals (and by extension, humans) must adjust their behavior in response to the seasons. This simple act of seeking warmth speaks to the broader idea of finding ways to cope with life’s difficulties, a key survival tactic depicted throughout the poem. The robin’s behavior highlights the importance of adapting to external forces rather than succumbing to them.
• What role does imagery play in highlighting the vulnerability of animals?
• The imagery in “The North Wind Doth Blow” enhances the sense of vulnerability faced by animals during winter. The description of the robin “shivering” creates a vivid picture of its physical discomfort and helplessness in the cold, underscoring the fragility of creatures during harsh weather. This image elicits empathy from the reader and deepens the emotional resonance of the poem. Through such imagery, the poem draws attention to the delicate balance of life in nature and the precariousness that animals experience when confronted with powerful forces like the wind.
• Does the poem offer any underlying message about human responsibility toward nature?
• Though subtle, the poem can be interpreted as carrying an underlying message about human responsibility toward nature. By focusing on the robin’s struggle against the cold and its need for shelter, the poem indirectly reminds readers of their role in helping protect vulnerable creatures. While the robin takes shelter in a barn—likely a human-made structure—this imagery could evoke a sense of care and stewardship that humans provide, even inadvertently. This idea can prompt reflections on how people can contribute to the well-being of animals, particularly during difficult times like winter, by providing shelter and care for them.

Literary Works Similar to “The North Wind Doth Blow” by Mother Goose

1. “Who Has Seen the Wind?” by Christina Rossetti
   Like “The North Wind Doth Blow,” this poem personifies the wind, emphasizing its invisible yet powerful presence in nature.
2. “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost
   Both poems depict the quiet, cold harshness of winter and the interaction of living beings with the wintry environment.
3. “Winter-Time” by Robert Louis Stevenson
   Similar to “The North Wind Doth Blow,” this poem reflects on the challenges and beauty of winter, especially how nature and people adapt to the cold.
4. “The Snow Man” by Wallace Stevens
   Both poems explore the theme of winter’s impact on the natural world, focusing on how creatures (or a snowman) face the cold, desolate season.
5. “The Owl” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
   Like the robin in “The North Wind Doth Blow,” the owl in this poem represents a creature enduring winter, highlighting nature’s ability to cope with harsh conditions.

Representative Quotations of “The North Wind Doth Blow” by Mother Goose

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“The North Wind doth blow”	Introduces the poem with the personification of the North Wind, setting the stage for winter’s severity.	Ecocriticism: Highlights the power of nature as a force affecting all living beings.
“And we shall have snow”	Describes the inevitable arrival of winter weather, reinforcing the seasonal change.	New Criticism: The simple language foreshadows the cold, drawing attention to structure and inevitability.
“And what will poor robin do then?”	Introduces the robin as a central figure struggling with the harshness of winter, eliciting empathy.	Reader-Response Theory: Invites readers to emotionally engage with the robin’s plight.
“Poor thing”	A moment of sympathy for the robin, reinforcing the vulnerability of creatures in winter.	Feminist Theory: Could be seen as evoking empathy for the vulnerable, offering insights into societal roles.
“He’ll sit in a barn”	The robin adapts to the cold by seeking shelter, reflecting resilience in the face of adversity.	Ecocriticism: Highlights animal adaptation to natural challenges and human intervention (a barn as shelter).
“To keep himself warm”	Explains the robin’s act of survival, finding warmth in a cold environment.	New Criticism: Focuses on the literal and metaphorical significance of warmth and safety.
“And hide his head under his wing”	The robin uses its natural behavior to protect itself, emphasizing survival instincts.	Structuralism: This line reflects natural, instinctive behavior patterns in animals during harsh weather.
“Poor thing, poor thing”	Repeated sympathy for the robin, reinforcing the emotional tone of the poem.	Reader-Response Theory: Encourages readers to reflect on their own feelings of empathy and helplessness.
“What will poor robin do?”	A rhetorical question that creates suspense and concern for the bird’s well-being.	Deconstruction: This line opens up multiple interpretations regarding human concern for animals.
“To keep himself warm”	Repeats the theme of survival and adaptation, emphasizing the robin’s reliance on shelter.	Postcolonial Theory: Could be interpreted as the dependency of vulnerable beings on dominant forces (nature, human intervention).

Suggested Readings: “The North Wind Doth Blow” by Mother Goose

1. PHILLIPS, MARINA. “A LIST OF POEMS BASED ON CHILDREN’S CHOICES.” The Elementary English Review, vol. 7, no. 9, 1930, pp. 229–34. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41381385. Accessed 22 Oct. 2024.
2. Heidsiek, Ralph G. “Folk Quotations in the Concert Repertoire.” Music Educators Journal, vol. 56, no. 1, 1969, pp. 51–53. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/3392612. Accessed 22 Oct. 2024.
3. ANDERSON, ETOILE E. “POETRY FOR THE SECOND GRADE.” The Elementary English Review, vol. 6, no. 1, 1929, pp. 7–9. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41381303. Accessed 22 Oct. 2024.
4. Storr, Sherman. “POETRY AND MUSIC: The Artful Twins.” ETC: A Review of General Semantics, vol. 43, no. 4, 1986, pp. 337–48. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/42579281. Accessed 22 Oct. 2024.