Dorothy Wordsworth

'Dorothy Wordsworth's "Address to a Child" depicts a storm to a child from an adult in his life.  Behind all the storm imagery, there is a message being given to the child.  The speaker informs that if you chase after the wind you will find "Nothing but silence and empty space" (line 17).  The wind is also compared to a buzzard and a creature that growls and has claws.  The wind is shown to be a powerful force that "rings a sharp larum" (line 10) and makes a "great rout" (line 22).  However, the speaker is able to keep the powerful wind at bay with a great fire and, until the wind leaves, the speaker and child have "Books...to read" (line 36).  The books and fire convey a sense of knowledge and light, a sharp contrast to the dark and frightening storm that roars outside.  

The poem conveys a message that there is no reason to fear the dark and unknown world if you are armed with knowledge and light.  If you already have knowledge, then you know the methods to acquire more knowledge and the dark and mysterious will not remain dark and mysterious forever.  One of the most important things to take from the poem is that knowledge can give power, but by seeking power is like searching for the wind: it brings "Nothing but silence and empty space" (line 17).