In William Carlos Williams' poem "January," the speaker's attitude toward the wind is characterized by a sense of raw, harsh beauty that reflects the starkness of winter. The wind is depicted as a powerful, almost aggressive force that shapes the environment, evoking a feeling of struggle and resilience in the face of nature's elements. The imagery suggests a strong connection to the physicality of winter, highlighting its impact on the landscape and the human experience.
In contrast, Robert Louis Stevenson's poem "The Wind" conveys a more whimsical and playful attitude toward the wind. The speaker personifies the wind as a mischievous being, engaging in a kind of lively interaction with the world. Instead of evoking feelings of struggle, Stevenson's portrayal of the wind brings forth a sense of wonder and delight, as the wind dances through nature, causing joy and chaos in a more cheerful context.
Overall, the key difference lies in the emotional response elicited by the wind: Williams presents it as a formidable force of winter that invokes a sense of endurance, while Stevenson portrays it as a lively, capricious presence that invites a sense of playfulness and joy.
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