Living The Path Less Traveled

Living The Path Less Traveled

It is said that few things stand the test of time such as that of a classic piece of literature. When I think of classic literature, I think of one person, Robert Frost. Frost's work is full of symbolism, as well as, figurative language. The combination of these factors, is one that engulfs the reader as a part of his writings. This in turn creates a feeling of connective-ness. Although it is possible to connect without any knowledge of Frost and the life he led, to fully relate to his writings, one should have a general understanding of the life of Robert Frost.

Robert Frost was born on March 26th, 1874, in San Francisco, California to Isabelle Moodie and William Prescott Frost Jr. His father was a journalist, thus it is easy to conclude Frost was born with the gift of writing. Frost was the eldest of two children. However, despite his family's comfortable status within the community he did not lead what one would consider to be an easy childhood. Not only was his father and alcoholic, but after passing away from tuberculosis when Frost was eleven, he left the family with eight dollars. As a result, Frost's mother Isabelle moved the family from San Francisco to her parents house in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Neither Frost nor his sister Jeanie adapted well to their grandparents sternness and strict discipline. Thankfully though, shortly after arriving in Lawrence his mother accepted a teaching position. Thus, the family moved yet again to Salem Depot New Hampshire.

School first started off as a sensitive subject for Frost. He had started Kindergarten in San Francisco, but withdrew after the first day due to nervousness and stomach pains. Because of this he was then educated at home. However, upon arriving on the East Coast Robert and his sister Jeanie both entered school in the 5th grade. It was here that Frost greatly excelled in school. Upon graduating at the top of his class and passing preliminary entrance exams, Frost entered the prestigious Harvard College in 1891. Despite feeling bored and restless, Frost did well and was active in Harvard's school newspaper, "The Bulletin". In his first year Frost was elected and served as the Chief Editor for the 1891-1892 school year. Financially dependent

on his grandparents Frost withdrew from Harvard at the end of 1892. He then enrolled at Dartmouth, not only because it was less expensive, but because his grandparents blamed Harvard for all of his fathers bad habits. However, Dartmouth left Frost bored and restless, just as Harvard had. As a result he withdrew not long into the term. For the next few years Frost taught in various positions throughout the New England states.

Still in Frost's brief time at Harvard, he gained much more than just an education. Frost met and fell in love with fellow student Elinor Miriam White. Frost and Elinor engaged in 1892, however, they did not marry until 1895. At this time in addition to teaching, Frost began working as a reporter for both the Daily American and Sentinel newspapers. Married life was treating Frost very well. The Frost family welcomed a son, Elliot, in September of 1897. Yet, as well as things were for Frost he still felt restless. It was in 1897 that he decided to re-enroll at Harvard after borrowing the money from his grandfather. He remained at Harvard until 1899 when his daughter Lesley was born, after which he withdrew yet again. After many years of happiness, unfortunately sorrow caught up with Frost again in July of 1900, when his son Elliott died from Cholera. It was also in 1900 that Frost's mother Isabelle passed away from cancer. Happier times were still to come. Between 1902 and 1907 the Frost family welcomed three more children; son Carol, daughter Majorie, and daughter Bettina, who died shortly after birth.

Frost continued to teach up until 1912. It was then that he decided to move his family to England for a few years so that he could devote himself to writing on a fulltime basis. While in England, Frost wrote his first published poem, "A Boy's Will". With much success in England Frost made the decision to return to the United States in 1914, upon learning that Henry Holt and Company was willing to publish his books in the States. On Frost's return from England, he continued to write for many years. It was these writings that earned him four Pulitzer Prizes (1924, 1931, 1937, 1943), election into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Russel Loines Poetry Prize (1931), Fellowship of the Academy of American Poets (1953), and the Bollingen Prize for Poetry (1963); just to name a few. Still, as successful as frost was, his life was still plagued with heartache. Not only did he lose his wife to illness, his sister and two daughters to mental illness, he also lost his son Carol to suicide. Carol's suicide was especially difficult on Frost in that knowing his son might attempt to take his life he spend quite a few days with him. Under the impression that all was alright once again Frost left to return to his home. Only after which Carol took his own life. Frost often had feelings of what if and regret. None the less Frost remained strong and led a remarkable life. You can see many examples of this through the poems Frost has written.

One excellent example of Frost's life entwining within his poetry is one of his early poems, "Home Burial".

"Home Burial"

#He saw her from the bottom of the stairs

Before she saw him. She was starting down,

Looking back over her shoulder at some fear.

She took a doubtful step and then undid it

To raise herself and look again. He spoke

Advancing toward her: 'What is it you see

From up there always-for I want to know.'

She turned and sank upon her skirts at that,

And her face changed from terrified to dull.

He said to gain time: 'What is it you see,'

Mounting until she cowered under him.

'I will find out now-you must tell me, dear.'

She, in her place, refused him any help

With the least stiffening of her neck and silence.