Hope is the thing with feathers Man and the Natural World Quotes

Right from the get-go this poem positions itself halfway between the natural world and humanity. Sure, we have a hope-bird here, but it hangs out inside the soul. The poem combines a natural element (the bird) with human experience. That's pretty true of all life, when you think about it.

It's telling that the poem doesn't discuss things like a flat tire or bankruptcy when it comes to listing hardships. The threats our speaker discusses are all naturally-occurring ones, like storms. We're reminded that our whole environment might pose a threat, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on your hope-bird.

What happened? Is the heater out? More likely, this coldness is a result from exposure—metaphorical or literal—to the natural elements. Hope, again, offers a way to carry on in the face of cold, unforgiving Nature.