In ‘The Snow-Storm’ Emerson delves into the themes of nature, and the power of natural forces, and creation/construction. The mood is joyful throughout, even when the snowstorm hits and everyone has to shelter inside. The speaker depicts the warmth and privacy at home, encouraging the reader to consider the peace of those moments as well. The second half of the poem is very clearly celebratory in tone as the speaker describes what the snow/wind created overnight.

The poem depicts the sudden appearance of the storm and the way in which everyone had to shelter inside. All travel was stopped and everyone turned inward to themselves and their housemates. But, outside their homes, the wind—a skilled and powerful craftsman— was working on his structures.

This piece one of the best representatives of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s transcendental beliefs.

Narrator: Mark Bowen

Listening Length: 00:02:17