Definition of the Frontiers By Archibald MacLeish - Giggle Poems

Original Poem：

First there is the wind but not like the familiar wind but long and without lapses or falling away or surges of air as is usual but rather like the persistent pressure of a river or a running tide.
This wind is from the other side and has an odor unlike the odor of the winds with us but like time if time had odor and were cold and carried a bitter and sharp taste like rust on the taste of snow or the fragrance of thunder.
When the air has this taste of time the frontiers are not far from us.
Then too there are the animals. There are always animals under the small trees. They belong neither to our side nor to theirs but are wild and because they are animals of such kind that wildness is unfamiliar in them as the horse for example or the goat and often sheep and dogs and like creatures their wandering there is strange and even terrifying signaling as it does the violation of custom and the subversion of order.
There are also the unnatural lovers the distortion of images the penetration of mirrors and the inarticulate meanings of the dreams. The dreams are in turmoil like a squall of birds.
Finally there is the evasion of those with whom we have come. It is at the frontiers that the companions desert us—that the girl returns to the old country
that we are alone.

Analysis and Interpretation of the Poem

This poem vividly describes a mysterious and unsettling experience at the frontiers, a metaphorical or literal boundary between two worlds or states of being. The poem opens with an unusual wind, unlike any familiar breeze, described as persistent and continuous, akin to the steady flow of a river or tide. This wind symbolizes change, time, or an approaching unknown force. The poet gives this wind a sensory quality, describing its odor as something cold and bitter, reminiscent of rust on snow or the scent of thunder, which evokes a feeling of unease and anticipation.

The poem then shifts focus to the animals that inhabit this borderland. These creatures are wild and strange, not belonging to either side, symbolizing the disruption of normal order and the presence of something alien or unfamiliar. The presence of animals like horses, goats, sheep, and dogs, but in a wild and unsettling form, suggests a breakdown of the natural or social customs.

Further, the poem introduces unnatural lovers, distorted images, and dreams filled with turmoil. These elements represent confusion, distorted reality, and subconscious fears or desires. The dreams are compared to a squall of birds, emphasizing chaos and unrest.

The poem concludes with a sense of abandonment and isolation. At the frontier, companions leave, and the speaker is left alone, highlighting themes of separation, loss, and the loneliness that can come with crossing boundaries or facing change.

Background and Author Introduction

This poem likely belongs to a tradition of modern or contemporary poetry that explores themes of transition, identity, and alienation. The author uses rich imagery and metaphor to evoke emotional and psychological landscapes rather than straightforward narrative. The use of natural elements like wind, animals, and dreams to symbolize internal states is a common technique in literary modernism and postmodernism.

While the specific author is not named here, the poem’s style suggests a writer deeply interested in the human condition, the passage of time, and the boundaries between self and other, reality and dream, order and chaos.

Reflections and Personal Response

Reading this poem inspires a reflection on moments in life when we encounter the unknown or face significant change. The persistent wind and strange animals remind us that crossing boundaries—whether physical, emotional, or psychological—can be disorienting and lonely. The poem’s imagery encourages readers to embrace uncertainty and recognize that feelings of alienation are part of growth and transformation.

Learning Points for Children and Students

This poem offers several valuable lessons and knowledge points for young learners:

• Imagery and Sensory Language: Students can learn how poets use vivid descriptions involving senses (smell, taste, touch) to create atmosphere and emotion.
• Symbolism: The poem is rich in symbols like wind, animals, and dreams, which represent abstract ideas such as change, wildness, and confusion.
• Themes of Change and Alienation: It introduces complex themes that can be discussed in relation to personal experiences of growth, moving to new places, or feeling different.
• Creative Thinking: The poem encourages interpretation and imagination, helping students develop critical thinking about metaphorical language.

Practical Applications in Life and Learning

• Emotional Awareness: Understanding the poem’s themes can help students articulate feelings of uncertainty or loneliness.
• Creative Writing: Students can use the poem as a model to write their own poems or stories about transitions or unfamiliar experiences.
• Discussion of Boundaries: The poem can be a starting point for conversations about cultural, social, or personal boundaries and how crossing them affects individuals.
• Dream Analysis: The reference to dreams can lead to exploring how dreams reflect our subconscious mind.

Reading Comprehension Exercises

1. What kind of wind is described at the beginning of the poem? How is it different from a familiar wind?
2. What does the odor of the wind remind the speaker of?
3. Why are the animals described as strange and terrifying?
4. What do the “unnatural lovers” and “distortion of images” symbolize in the poem?
5. What happens to the companions at the frontiers? What does this signify?
6. How does the poem make you feel about change and crossing boundaries? Explain your answer.

Answers

1. The wind is long, persistent, without lapses or surges, unlike a familiar wind that usually has breaks or changes. It feels like the steady pressure of a river or tide.
2. The odor of the wind is unlike any familiar wind; it is cold and bitter, like rust on snow or the fragrance of thunder, symbolizing time with a sharp and bitter taste.
3. The animals are strange and terrifying because they do not belong to either side and their wildness is unfamiliar, signaling a violation of custom and order.
4. The unnatural lovers and distorted images symbolize confusion, distorted reality, and the turmoil of dreams and subconscious fears.
5. The companions desert the speaker at the frontiers, and the girl returns to the old country, signifying abandonment and loneliness in the face of change.
6. (Open-ended) The poem may evoke feelings of unease or loneliness about change, but also an understanding that crossing boundaries is part of life’s journey.

This poem offers rich material for literary exploration, emotional growth, and creative expression, making it a valuable resource for students and educators alike.