--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sharply the menacing wind sweeps over The…" description: "\"“Sharply the menacing wind sweeps over The bending poplars, newly bare, And the dark ribbons of the chimneys Veer downward; flicked by whips of air. To..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb2/george-orwell-57_money_sharply-the-menacing-wind-sweeps-over-th_1073499.jpg" --- # Sharply the menacing wind sweeps over The bending poplars… ![“Sharply the menacing wind sweeps over The bending poplars, newly bare, And the dark ribbons of the chimneys Veer downward; flicked by whips of air. Torn posters flutter; coldly sound The boom of trams and the rattle of hooves, And the clerks who hurry to the station Look, shuddering, over the…” quote by George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb2/george-orwell-57_money_sharply-the-menacing-wind-sweeps-over-th_1073499.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb2/george-orwell-57_money_sharply-the-menacing-wind-sweeps-over-th_1073499.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb2/george-orwell-57_money_sharply-the-menacing-wind-sweeps-over-th_1073499.jpg) > ““Sharply the menacing wind sweeps over The bending poplars, newly bare, And the dark ribbons of the chimneys Veer downward; flicked by whips of air. Torn posters flutter; coldly sound The boom of trams and the rattle of hooves, And the clerks who hurry to the station Look, shuddering, over the eastern rooves, Thinking, each one, "Here comes the winter! "Please God I keep my job this year!" And bleakly, as the cold strikes through Their entrails like an icy spear, They think of rent, rates, season tickets, Insurance, coal, the skivvy's wages, Boots, school-bills and the next installment Upon the two twin beds from Drage's. For if in careless summer days In groves of Ashtaroth we whored, Repentant now, when winds blow cold, We kneel before our rightful lord; The lord of all, the money-god, Who rules us blood and hand and brain, Who gives the roof that stops the wind, And, giving, takes away again; Who spies with jealous, watchful care, Our thoughts, our dreams, our secret ways, Who picks our words and cuts our clothes, And maps the pattern of our days; Who chills our anger, curbs our hope. And buys our lives and pays with toys, Who claims as tribute broken faith, Accepted insults, muted joys; Who binds with chains the poet's wit, The navvy's strength, the soldier's pride, And lays the sleek, estranging shield Between the lover and his bride.”” [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The poem portrays winter’s harshness, economic anxiety, and the oppressive power of money and authority over everyday life. **In simple terms:** Winter brings fear, poverty, and control by wealth. Key Takeaway Recognize how economic pressures shape behavior. Themes poverty authority seasonal anxiety social critique Mood melancholic reflective critical Type poetic social commentary lament When to use this quote - winter budgeting - job security concerns - rent payments - seasonal employment - social inequality Key Concepts economic determinism existential dread class struggle Questions to Reflect On - How does financial insecurity affect personal values? - What role does authority play in everyday survival? 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Torn posters flutter; coldly sound The boom of trams and the rattle of hooves, And the clerks who hurry to the station Look, shuddering, over the eastern rooves, Thinking, each one, \"Here comes the winter! \"Please God I keep my job this year!\" And bleakly, as the cold strikes through Their entrails like an icy spear, They think of rent, rates, season tickets, Insurance, coal, the skivvy's wages, Boots, school-bills and the next installment Upon the two twin beds from Drage's. For if in careless summer days In groves of Ashtaroth we whored, Repentant now, when winds blow cold, We kneel before our rightful lord; The lord of all, the money-god, Who rules us blood and hand and brain, Who gives the roof that stops the wind, And, giving, takes away again; Who spies with jealous, watchful care, Our thoughts, our dreams, our secret ways, Who picks our words and cuts our clothes, And maps the pattern of our days; Who chills our anger, curbs our hope. 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