robert frost doc final
.docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Pace University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
120CR
Subject
English
Date
Jan 9, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
6
Uploaded by UltraIce12981
April Robles
Poem by Robert Frost "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening."
Critical Writing
3 May 2023
Poem by Robert Frost "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening."
The theme of the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost is the
tension between the desire for solitude and the responsibilities of daily life. The speaker, who is
traveling through the snowy woods, is tempted to remain and enjoy the lovely isolation but
eventually decides to continue on his quest (Faggen, 2001a). Frost creates a complex and thought
provoking poem through the use of imagery, symbolism, repetition, and vagueness in the final
stanza.
The scene of the poem as well as its tone are defined in the first stanza. The author
characterizes the woods as "beautiful, dull, and profound," radiating calm and mystery. The
repeated phrase "and miles to go before I sleep" emphasizes the concept of a long road ahead and
urgency. The speaker continues to describe the glory of the woods in the second stanza, with
pictures of snow and the sound of the wind. He does, however, accept that he has "promises to
keep," implying that he has responsibilities and obligations to fulfill (Faggen, 2001b). The
comparison of the calm of the woods and the harshness of the speaker's life causes tension and
struggle.
The speaker reflects on the horse's behavior in the third stanza implying that the animal is
aware of the tension between want and duty. The speaker claims that there isn't a farmhouse
nearby as the horse shakes its harness bells in an apparent attempt to find out why they have
stopped. This conversation between the speaker and the horse emphasizes the idea of
responsibility and the speaker's obligation to continue on his quest. The final stanza has the most
ambiguity and room for interpretation (Hashmi et al., 2019). The speaker repeats the sentence
"and miles to go before I sleep" but adds the phrase "and miles to go before I sleep." The
recurrence of this statement, as well as the inclusion of the second phrase, implies a more
profound meaning.Some interpret the repeat as expressing the speaker's desire to pass away
quietly in the woods, while others interpret it as reaffirming the speaker's commitment to his
duties. (Frost & Connery, 1969). "And miles to go before I sleep" may be interpreted as a
representation of life's journey and the idea that there is always more to do and accomplish.
The use of imagery and symbolism in the poem helps the overall topic. The forests are
characterized as "lovely, dark, and deep," implying mystery and peace, as well as danger and the
unknown. The snow and wind create a sense of solitude and silence, emphasizing the speaker's
wish to stay in the woods (Poirier et al., 1990). The horse is a sign of responsibility and
obligation since it is the driving force behind the speaker's journey. The speaker's commitments
are reminded by the harness bells, and the shaking of the bells generates a sense of anxiety and
urgency.
The poem is frequently regarded as a contemplation of the themes of loneliness and
obligation. The speaker of the poem is alone in the woods, with just his horse to keep him
company, and he is tempted to remain and watch the snowfall. However, he finally chooses to
continue on his adventure, implying that he feels a feeling of obligation or responsibility to do so
(Kallimani, 2020). The use of language and imagery in the poem is equally noteworthy. Frost's
descriptions of the falling snow, the woods, and the speaker's horse are all vivid and evocative,
contributing to the creation of a tremendous sense of atmosphere and mood.
Overall, the theme of the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" is mortality as well as
the struggle between liability and want. The poet uses imagery, symbolism, as well as repetition
to create a complex and thought provoking poem that prompts readers to think on the lives they
lead, and the decisions people make (Sharma, 2022). Different interpretations are possible due to
the poem's ambiguity and open-mindedness, making it a timeless and universal work of
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help