1. Emphasis on Imagery: The poem relies heavily on visual imagery to create a vivid sensory experience for the reader. The "white" cliffs, the "great" waves, and the "wind" sweeping across the scene are all presented with striking clarity. This emphasizes the visual and physical aspects of the landscape.
2. Conciseness and Economy of Language: H.D. uses minimal words to create a powerful effect. The poem is only 10 lines long, and each word is carefully chosen for its impact. There's a sense of starkness and directness in the language.
3. Nature as a Source of Inspiration: The poem is a celebration of the natural world, particularly the powerful and untamed forces of the sea and the cliffs. Nature is portrayed as both beautiful and awe-inspiring, reflecting a sense of reverence for its inherent power.
4. Free Verse Form: The poem is written in free verse, with no strict rhyme or meter. This allows H.D. to create a sense of natural flow and rhythm that mirrors the movement of the waves and the wind.
5. Implied Narrative: While the poem doesn't tell a conventional story, it creates a sense of narrative through the description of the setting and the implied presence of the "Oread" (a mountain nymph in Greek mythology). The reader is left to imagine the relationship between the Oread and her surroundings.
6. Symbolism: The poem employs symbolism, with the "white" cliffs representing purity and strength, the "great" waves symbolizing power and change, and the "wind" representing the ever-present force of nature.
7. Sensuality: The poem evokes a sense of physicality and sensuality through its descriptions of the wind's touch and the crashing waves. This connects the reader to the landscape on a visceral level.
Overall, "Oread" is a masterclass in the Imagist style. It embodies the movement's emphasis on clarity, precision, and the creation of a vivid sensory experience for the reader through the use of sharp imagery, free verse, and evocative language.