Robert Frost Poems

Context

Quotation

Technique

Effect

How it represents the purpose of the poet?

On the surface, the narrator talks about stopping by some woods on a snowy evening. He or she takes the time to enjoy the beauty of nature, but is conscious, that there are places to be, and things to do.

When exploring the deeper meaning, this poem puts into perspective the two different worlds: the world of civilisation with all its responsibilities and the natural world offering solace and relief.

The narrator seeks escape from the demands of his life. This escape is not permanent as he is only stopping by the woods.

His horse that is harnessed by civilisation doesn’t understand his owner and rather finds his actions to be “queer”.

“He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.”[pic 1]

“But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep”

[pic 2]

“My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

 He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.”

Hyperbole

Hyperbole and repetition

Personification

This exaggeration has the effect of emphasizing just how completely the landscape is blanketed with snow.

This quotation has the effect of emphasising the weight of responsibilities felt by the narrator, and his determination to keep going, even if he feels as though his life is falling apart.

Use of personification here, has the effect of symbolising the thoughts of society over this phrase within the narrator’s life.

The purpose of this poem is to show the cycle of life, by using the poet’s journey as a representation.

This quotation represents this purpose, as it displays the moment in everyone’s life, where they are forced to complete their responsibilities and undertake tasks.

Through this poem, the author also intended on conveying the judgements of society over the moment of reflection that people sometimes reach in life.

So, by personifying the horse within this quotation, the purpose of the poet is represented, as the horse’s perspective signifies the thoughts of society.  

Context

Quotation

Technique

Effect/ How does it represent purpose?

• A stone wall separates the speaker’s property from his neighbour’s. In spring, the two meet to walk the wall and jointly make repairs. The speaker sees no reason for the wall to be kept—there are no cows to be contained, just apple and pine trees.
• This poem shows how the century is evolving and changing people causing isolations.
• The narrator wants to break the wall separating him and his neighbour, as he wishes to bond and connect with him. 

“Good fences make good neighbours”

“Something there is that doesn’t love a wall”

“He is all pine and I am all orchard”

Idiom and personification

Alliteration

Metaphor

The purpose to show the theme of isolation.

These quotations bring up the ideology held by the uncommunicative neighbour over fences making good neighbours. The quotes also show the narrator’s dislike for the wall separating them both, and his overall confusion for why a wall needs to be built. All that he wants is some company, but the wall doesn’t allow for this to happen – this connects to Frost’s purpose – loneliness and isolation.

Context

Quotations

Technique

Effect and how it show purpose

• The poem presents a few moments of charged dialogue in a strained relationship between a husband and wife who have lost a child.
• The wife grieves differently compared to the husband, and is infuriated to see that her husband has so easily moved on.
• This poem begins with the woman catching sight of the child’s grave through the window and ends with her leaving the house.

“The little graveyard where my people are!

So small the window frames the whole of it.

Not so much larger than a bedroom, is it?

There are three stones of slate and one of marble,

Broad-shouldered little slabs there in the sunlight

On the side hill. We haven’t to mind those.

But I understand: it is not the stones,

But the child’s mound——”

[pic 3]

“I thought who that man is? I didn’t know you.

And I crept down the stairs and up the stairs

To look again, and still your spade kept lifting.

Then you came in. I heard your rumbling voice"

Imagery and first person

Rhetorical Question and Onomatopoeia

Through use of imagery, the audience are provided context into why the husband does not grieve as severely over the loss of his child – because he is used to losing his family members.

The “lack of empathy” that he exudes is also shown through this quotation, relating back to the purpose – which is to show the death of a child and a marriage.

This quote makes it clear that the man grieves in a different manner compared to the woman. It shows that the wife is not able to understand the way in which her husband is grieving – and this connects with the eventual death of their marriage.

Content

Quotation

Technique

Effect/ How it shows purpose

• The likelihood of the world being destroyed by fire or by ice.
• The narrator initially says that the world must end in fire bringing up his personal experience with desire and passion, and the emotions of fire.
• Then, after considering his experience with “ice” or hatred, the narrator acknowledges that ice can be equally destructive.

• The two possibilities for the world’s destruction correspond directly to a common scientific debate during the time Frost wrote the poem. Some scientists believed that the world would be incinerated from its fiery core, while others were convinced that a coming ice age would destroy all living things on the earth’s surface.

“Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice”

“But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To that for destruction ice

is also great

and would suffice”

Symbolism / Alliteration / Allusion to scientific theories being made at that time

Paradox

The purpose is to show that both hatred and passion can be destructive. Too much passion or desire can consume a relationship, and hatred is simply is harmful.

 This quote has the effect of demonstrating to the audience, just how powerful fire and ice can be – they are the only two options that can lead to the destruction of the world.