Storm Warnings

In the poem “Storm Warnings,” by Adrienne Rich, there are created both literal and metaphorical meanings through the use of concrete details and its overall organization, which correlate to the title. The contrast presented is that of a physical storm, portrayed in the disability to avoid weather’s onset, and that of a metaphorical storm, which represents an emotional struggle. The speaker begins by showing the reader the precursors which will be leading to the …

…are plagued with her own painful emotions. She has learned that both nature’s storms and her own emotional ones can’t be avoided, only predicted and subdued, and ultimately must be excepted. It is realized by the reader that, in the end, running away doesn’t solve problems, and the only true way to deal with them is to confront them and not try to hide away or combat these “storms” in our lives.