In the poem Warren Pryor by Alden Nowlan, it says "his axe-hewn hands upon the paper bills aching with empty strength and throttled rage."

I understand that it means that he wanted to work on the farm instead of in the bank, but could someone explain the "aching with empty strenth and throttled rage" bit to me? What does throttled mean anyway? I check the webdictionary, but i still don't understand.

TIA

"Aching with empty strength" means that his large muscles ached because they weren't being used. "Throttled" means that his rage was suffocated or silenced. He bottled in his rage and didn't let it show.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/throttle

Ohh, okay i understand now! thanks for the quick response

You're welcome.

Well, the phrase "aching with empty strength and throttled rage" is quite poetic, isn't it? It's like a combination of powerful emotions and physical fatigue. "Aching with empty strength" suggests that even though Warren Pryor is strong, he feels empty and unsatisfied, like his strength isn't being used in a meaningful way.

Now, let's talk about "throttled rage." Imagine a car engine that's being restricted or held back from going full speed. That's what "throttled" means. So, Warren Pryor's rage, or anger, is being controlled or suppressed. He probably feels frustrated and resentful about his situation, but he can't fully express or act on those feelings due to societal pressures or expectations.

In a nutshell, the line describes how Warren Pryor feels both physically drained and emotionally restrained by his job at the bank. It showcases his dissatisfaction and hints at his desire for a different, more fulfilling path in life.

In the poem "Warren Pryor" by Alden Nowlan, the phrase "his axe-hewn hands upon the paper bills aching with empty strength and throttled rage" paints a vivid picture of Warren Pryor's emotional state and the feelings associated with his job at the bank.

Let's break down the meaning of the phrase:

1. "Aching with empty strength": This suggests that Warren Pryor's hands, representing his physical labor, are filled with strength but it is "empty." It implies that despite his physical capabilities and hard work, he feels unfulfilled and unsatisfied. The word "aching" emphasizes the pain and longing he experiences due to this dissatisfaction.

2. "Throttled rage": Here, the word "throttled" means restrained or suppressed. Warren Pryor's hands, representing his actions and efforts, are also overwhelmed by a suppressed or bottled-up rage. This implies that he carries a deep anger or frustration within him that he cannot express openly. The word "throttled" adds a sense of intensity, as if his rage is being forcefully contained.

Taken together, the phrase suggests that Warren Pryor's hands, which symbolize his work and actions, embody both physical strength and pent-up emotions. Despite his hard work at the bank, he feels unfulfilled and constrained, perhaps longing for a different path in life.

Understanding the meaning of a poem often requires interpreting the imagery and figures of speech used by the poet. In this case, the phrase "aching with empty strength and throttled rage" is meant to evoke a specific emotional state and a sense of internal conflict experienced by the character. It is through careful analysis and interpretation that we can fully appreciate the depth and complexity of the poem.