The Windowpane

The windowpane is where the speaker sees the moth. It is a confined space of a single square which the speaker subtly compares to the vast outdoor landscape she observes earlier in the essay. The moth, by contrast, is left with an insignificant portion of space to traverse, and observing his efforts across the window inspires both awe and pity in the author.

The Book

The author only mentions her book once. "Such vigor came rolling in from the fields and the down beyond," she says, "that it was difficult to keep the eyes strictly turned upon the book" (1). Here, the author suggests that the landscape outside is so lively and enticing that her attention is pulled away from reading. Later, watching the moth will have the same effect on the author, suggesting that the energy of the moth is similar to that which the speaker...