What was ineffective about the North Wind's method of attempting to strip the man of his cloak in 'The North Wind and the Sun'?

Answer 1

It's an example of a parable. You should read a parable less for exact content and more for hidden meaning. What would a man do when the wind blows harder? Does that seem like an effective way to get the coat from the man? It's showing that you need to have a basic understanding of human nature before you will be able to complete your task. The wind was ineffective because he was cold and harsh. It was trying to accomplish something by being forceful, but it only caused the man to close himself further inside of his wrappings. When the sun came out and was warm and gentle, the man knew it was finally a good time to take his wrappings off.