Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan's poem "November Rain" vividly captures the sense of isolation and vulnerability that often accompanies the transition from autumn to winter. Through the imagery of black umbrellas and the metaphorical connections to celestial bodies and animals, the poem explores themes of separation, the human instinct to seek protection, and the looming presence of winter's harshness.

The poem begins with the observation of how "separate we are / under our black umbrellas—dark / planets in our own small orbits." This image of individuals beneath their umbrellas as "dark planets" suggests a sense of isolation and self-containment. Each person is in their own "orbit," disconnected from those around them, moving through the world as solitary entities. The umbrellas, typically used to protect from rain, are here likened to barriers that contribute to this separation, emphasizing the emotional and physical distance between people even as they share the same environment.

The "wet assault / of weather" is depicted as something almost violent, a force against which people feel the need to protect themselves, as if "water / would violate the skin." This personification of rain as an aggressive force adds to the atmosphere of discomfort and defensiveness. The speaker conveys the human tendency to retreat from the elements, to shield oneself from the natural world, as if the rain is not just a physical inconvenience but a potential threat.

The poem then shifts to a reflection on the limitations of this protection: "as if these raised silk canopies / could protect us / from whatever is coming next—." The umbrellas, though seemingly protective, are ultimately inadequate against the larger forces at play. The "whatever is coming next" introduces a sense of impending doom or uncertainty, hinting at the arrival of winter and all that it symbolizes—cold, silence, and an even greater separation from warmth and connection.

This impending transition is made explicit with the mention of "December with its white / enamel surfaces; the numbing / silences of winter." December, with its "white enamel surfaces," evokes an image of a cold, sterile environment, one that is beautiful in its stillness but also harsh and unyielding. The "numbing silences" suggest a loss of vitality, a quiet that is not peaceful but rather indicative of a world that has gone into hibernation, leaving people more isolated than before.

In the final stanza, the poem offers a striking visual comparison: "From above we must look / like a family of bats— / ribbed wings spread." This image of people under umbrellas as bats reinforces the idea of defensiveness and a kind of collective yet solitary existence. Bats, creatures often associated with darkness and the night, are depicted here as creatures of the rain, seeking shelter wherever they can find it. The "ribbed wings spread / against the rain" evoke the structure of umbrellas, creating a parallel between the natural world and human behavior. The people, like bats, are "swooping towards any / makeshift shelter," highlighting the instinctual need for protection and the transient, precarious nature of that shelter.

"November Rain" is a meditation on the human experience of seasonal change, particularly the movement from the relative openness of autumn to the enclosed, defensive posture of winter. Pastan’s use of imagery and metaphor captures the sense of isolation that often accompanies this time of year, as people withdraw into themselves, both physically and emotionally. The poem reflects on the fragility of the barriers we erect to protect ourselves from the inevitable forces of nature, and the way those barriers—though comforting—ultimately underscore our separation from one another.

Through its exploration of weather, protection, and the onset of winter, "November Rain" invites readers to consider the ways in which we respond to the natural world, the distances we maintain from each other, and the deep, instinctual need for connection and shelter in the face of life's uncertainties.

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