Problems with Hurricanes

The hurricane symbolizes the things in life that humans usually notice and tend to worry about. Hurricanes are massive events that can cause widespread destruction and even death. However, the poem is not called “Hurricane Problems,” but “Problems with Hurricanes.” The campesino reveals that the problems with hurricanes are not the things one would usually think of: the high winds, flooding, and the noise of the natural disaster. Instead, sometimes the most damaging problems are the little things that come as a byproduct of the hurricane—the flying fruit. In this way, the hurricanes of the poem’s title represent the dramatic events or problems that can distract humans from noticing the smaller, more insidious elements in their lives that could ultimately cause just as much, if not more, destruction than the “big” things.

In the end, hurricanes can represent any issue a person might go through. Cruz is warning his readers to keep their heads up when these storms come, to honor their power, and to watch out for the things they might not necessarily think can hurt them.

The campesino symbolizes traditional knowledge and the power of simplicity. On the surface, he appears to be a simple rural figure, but his words carry significance and consequence, as he reveals some wisdom that many would find easy to overlook.