This winter coming – Karen Press
This poem was published in 1986, a tumultuous time in South Africa under the Apartheid regime.
This poem, on its surface level, seems to be about the people’s fear about the impending Winter.
However, upon closer inspection, it is clear that this poem is an extended metaphor for the current
and coming violence in the country.
The use of the pronoun this is suggests that something is going to happen very soon.
Winter could be read literally. However, in the poem, it can be interpreted as an extended
metaphor for transition and social change that marks the death of an old order, and the
emergence of a new order.
coming – suggests that the looming arrival of this season and what it represents, cannot be
averted.
This poem consists of 5 stanzas of differing lengths. Each stanza deals with a different aspect of
the situation. Each section is linked by the refrain: “who is not frightened?” This
repetition/anaphora highlights the point that everyone fears what might happen.
The speaker in this poem is concerned about the world she occupies and believes that she is
justified to feel fear for how matters will evolve. She states that we have “only just entered”,
implying that worse times are to come. The descriptions of the “churning”, “broken” and “sinking”
sky further highlight her fear and Nature’s hostility. The misery of the people is made clear in
stanza 3. People are hungry and suffering. The distinction between the haves and the have-nots,
is clear: “madam’s house is clean” while men stand on the street corners, jobless and hungry. The
“bright cars full of sated faces” drive passed the people most affected by poverty and hunger.
The poem begins with somebody walking in the rain. The poet does not mention a specific
person. thick –relates to the rain, very heavy rain. Poet does not use the word ‘heavy’ because
this links with the cold that is normally associated with winter; it is thick, like a blanket.
thick reinforces not just the heaviness of the rain, but is also suggestive of an oppressive
atmosphere. this winter – specific reference to the winter that is approaching, not winter in
general.
only just entered create an ominous tone, suggesting that the experience of fear will increase as
the season progresses. Things will get far worse before they get better. There is an allusion to
possible violence / uprising against the oppression.
who is not frightened? – The rhetorical question does not provide an explanation for the cause
of the fear. This suggests a universality to the experience of fear. The poet is referring to all South
Africans. Everybody should be afraid as there will be violence in response to oppression.
At first glance, that stanza is describing the speaker’s observation of the natural environment.
However; the imagery, sound devices and diction suggest an atmosphere of hostility and
destructiveness that is broader than the literal reading of the lines.
The sea is described as swollen, churning in broken waves – this is a destructive ocean, not a
peaceful and serene ocean. This emphasises that it is dangerous.
The sinking of the sand is symbolic of a world which is disappearing; in which one’s sense of
security and stability is eroded. Therefore, there reason to be afraid.
seagulls will not land – even the birds (symbolic of the natural element) can sense the
impending danger and violence, adding to the ominous mood.
This poem was published in 1986, a tumultuous time in South Africa under the Apartheid regime.
This poem, on its surface level, seems to be about the people’s fear about the impending Winter.
However, upon closer inspection, it is clear that this poem is an extended metaphor for the current
and coming violence in the country.
The use of the pronoun this is suggests that something is going to happen very soon.
Winter could be read literally. However, in the poem, it can be interpreted as an extended
metaphor for transition and social change that marks the death of an old order, and the
emergence of a new order.
coming – suggests that the looming arrival of this season and what it represents, cannot be
averted.
This poem consists of 5 stanzas of differing lengths. Each stanza deals with a different aspect of
the situation. Each section is linked by the refrain: “who is not frightened?” This
repetition/anaphora highlights the point that everyone fears what might happen.
The speaker in this poem is concerned about the world she occupies and believes that she is
justified to feel fear for how matters will evolve. She states that we have “only just entered”,
implying that worse times are to come. The descriptions of the “churning”, “broken” and “sinking”
sky further highlight her fear and Nature’s hostility. The misery of the people is made clear in
stanza 3. People are hungry and suffering. The distinction between the haves and the have-nots,
is clear: “madam’s house is clean” while men stand on the street corners, jobless and hungry. The
“bright cars full of sated faces” drive passed the people most affected by poverty and hunger.
The poem begins with somebody walking in the rain. The poet does not mention a specific
person. thick –relates to the rain, very heavy rain. Poet does not use the word ‘heavy’ because
this links with the cold that is normally associated with winter; it is thick, like a blanket.
thick reinforces not just the heaviness of the rain, but is also suggestive of an oppressive
atmosphere. this winter – specific reference to the winter that is approaching, not winter in
general.
only just entered create an ominous tone, suggesting that the experience of fear will increase as
the season progresses. Things will get far worse before they get better. There is an allusion to
possible violence / uprising against the oppression.
who is not frightened? – The rhetorical question does not provide an explanation for the cause
of the fear. This suggests a universality to the experience of fear. The poet is referring to all South
Africans. Everybody should be afraid as there will be violence in response to oppression.
At first glance, that stanza is describing the speaker’s observation of the natural environment.
However; the imagery, sound devices and diction suggest an atmosphere of hostility and
destructiveness that is broader than the literal reading of the lines.
The sea is described as swollen, churning in broken waves – this is a destructive ocean, not a
peaceful and serene ocean. This emphasises that it is dangerous.
The sinking of the sand is symbolic of a world which is disappearing; in which one’s sense of
security and stability is eroded. Therefore, there reason to be afraid.
seagulls will not land – even the birds (symbolic of the natural element) can sense the
impending danger and violence, adding to the ominous mood.
