Nets to Catch the Wind

Elinor WylieDec 2015

4.0

Word count: 4.8K words
Chapters: 32

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Summary

by Elinor Wylie..

Editor's review

This is a poetry collection by Elinor Wylie, its title meaning "to spread nets to catch the wind," which itself conveys the light, elusive, and faintly sharp quality of her verse. Wylie's poems are meticulous in sound and imagery, often drawing on nature, love, and shifting light and shadow; her language is condensed and vivid, suited to slow reading and repeated recitation. For readers familiar with twentieth-century American poetry, this collection offers a sample of how a woman poet carried modern feeling in classical forms; for general readers, it is more like a bedside book to open at random and set down after a few poems. It should be noted that the experience of reading poetry depends heavily on personal taste; those who prefer plain narrative or strong social themes may find it overly delicate.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers of lyric poetry who value sound and imagery
Literature lovers interested in the work of twentieth-century American women poets
Readers seeking short poems for slow daily reading
Learners of English poetry who want to experience condensed language and rhythm

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer plain narrative or strongly plotted works
Readers who expect poetry to address social issues directly
Beginners with little patience for classical meter and elaborate imagery

Reading tips

Read only two or three poems at a time, pause afterward, and look back at the rhymes and recurring images of light and shadow.
Read aloud once before reading silently to feel Wylie's arrangement of sound; do not rush to interpret.
Keep a pen handy to mark recurring images of nature and love, and review them after finishing the collection.
If reading the English originals, consult a reliable translation for difficult passages, but let the rhythm of the original lead.

Copyright information
BEAUTY
THE EAGLE AND THE MOLE
MADMAN'S SONG
THE PRINKIN' LEDDIE
AUGUST
THE CROOKED STICK
ATAVISM
WILD PEACHES
SANCTUARY
THE LION AND THE LAMB
THE CHURCH-BELL
A CROWDED TROLLEY CAR
BELLS IN THE RAIN
WINTER SLEEP
VILLAGE MYSTERY
SUNSET ON THE SPIRE
ESCAPE
THE FAIRY GOLDSMITH
"FIRE AND SLEET AND CANDLELIGHT"
BLOOD FEUD
SEA LULLABY
NANCY
A PROUD LADY
THE TORTOISE IN ETERNITY
INCANTATION
SILVER FILIGREE
THE FALCON
BRONZE TRUMPETS AND SEA WATER— ON TURNING LATIN INTO ENGLISH
SPRING PASTORAL
VELVET SHOES
VALENTINE

FAQ

Can someone with no experience reading poetry read this collection?

You can try, but it is best to slow down. Wylie's poems are meticulous in sound and imagery; on a first reading, do not strive to understand every line. Begin by feeling the rhythm through reading aloud, then choose a few poems with recurring themes of nature and love for close reading; this makes it easier to enter than reading the whole collection straight through.

Is this collection suitable as English-learning material?

It works as supplementary material but not for complete beginners. Poetic language is condensed and heavily elliptical, so it is best used once you have some English reading ability; focus on rhythm and imagery rather than word-by-word translation. A translation can be used alongside to clarify difficult passages.

What is the relationship between the title "Nets to Catch the Wind" and the poems' content?

The title itself conveys a light, elusive quality that echoes Wylie's themes of nature, light and shadow, and shifting emotion. It is more a reading hint: these poems do not offer definite answers but invite the reader to feel the process of catching.

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About the author

Elinor Wylie Author · American · 1885–1928

Elinor Wylie (1885–1928) was an American poet and novelist, known for her finely crafted lyric poetry. Her verse pays close attention to rhythm and imagery, with concise language and a strong visual quality, giving her a distinctive place in early twentieth-century American poetry. Her representative work, Nets to Catch the Wind, embodies this polished, form-conscious lyrical style. Besides poetry, she also wrote fiction. Public information about the details of her life is limited; what can be relied on is mainly her work itself and the basic facts given above. One of her works is included in this collection, commonly categorized under inspirational growth, through which readers may further explore her writing. Her work remains a concrete example of the American lyric tradition in the early twentieth century.