What is the significance of the final rhetorical question If Winter comes can Spring be far behind This beautiful line by Shelley - ends the poem Ode to the West Wind with hope It is like a light at the end of a tunnel It reminds us that after every hardship good times will come Winter in this line stands for death sadness and endings Spring on the other hand means life joy and new beginnings Shelley shows that life is a cycle After the cold and harsh times of winter spring always arrives This is nature s rule The line is also a message of encouragement Shelley believes that even in dark times we should not lose hope Just like spring follows winter happiness will follow sorrow This idea gives strength to keep going This question is rhetorical which means it does not need an answer The answer is