Complex Themes & Complex Themes & Philosophical Nature of Poetry Philosophical Nature of Poetry

by Robert Frostby Robert Frost

Abstract:Abstract:

A short Introduction to the life and poetry of Robert FrostA short Introduction to the life and poetry of Robert Frost

Elizabeth TaylorElizabeth Taylor

English 1102 English 1102

Elizabeth OwensElizabeth Owens

April 21, 2011April 21, 2011

Extended Abstract (Summary)Extended Abstract (Summary)

Short Biography of Robert FrostShort Biography of Robert Frost Types of Poetry written by FrostTypes of Poetry written by Frost Common Themes among Frost’s poetryCommon Themes among Frost’s poetry Literary Techniques practiced by FrostLiterary Techniques practiced by Frost Example of popular Literary techniques, Tones and Themes Example of popular Literary techniques, Tones and Themes

provided by excerpts of Robert Frost’s “Birches”provided by excerpts of Robert Frost’s “Birches”

Robert FrostRobert Frost (1874–1963)(1874–1963)

Robert Lee Frost was born in San Robert Lee Frost was born in San Francisco on March 26, 1874.Francisco on March 26, 1874.

He graduated from high school in He graduated from high school in 1891 and shared the title of 1891 and shared the title of valedictorian with Elinor White, valedictorian with Elinor White, whom he later married in 1894.whom he later married in 1894.

Robert moved to England in 1912 Robert moved to England in 1912 where he became acquainted with where he became acquainted with writers such as Rupert Brooke, writers such as Rupert Brooke, Robert Graves, Ezera Pound.Robert Graves, Ezera Pound.

In 1915, he moved back to the In 1915, he moved back to the United States. By 1920, he was United States. By 1920, he was one of America’s most critically one of America’s most critically acclaimed poets.acclaimed poets.

Robert Frost won four Pulitzer Robert Frost won four Pulitzer Prize Awards in his lifetime:Prize Awards in his lifetime: New HampshireNew Hampshire (1923) (1923) Collected PoemsCollected Poems (1930) (1930) A Further RangeA Further Range (1936) (1936) A Witness TreeA Witness Tree (1942) (1942)

He served as Poet Laureate of He served as Poet Laureate of the United states from 1958-the United states from 1958-1959.1959.

Robert Lee Frost died on Robert Lee Frost died on January 29, 1963.January 29, 1963.

Common Styles of Poetry and Common Styles of Poetry and Themes Themes

Pastoral Poetry – poems dealing with rustic lifePastoral Poetry – poems dealing with rustic life Although Frost’s poetry often depicts scenes of nature he Although Frost’s poetry often depicts scenes of nature he

does not consider himself to be a Pastoral Poetdoes not consider himself to be a Pastoral Poet The majority of Frost’s Pastoral Scenes contain some form The majority of Frost’s Pastoral Scenes contain some form

of deep philosophical insight.of deep philosophical insight.

Common themes among his poetry:Common themes among his poetry: Relationship between humanity & natureRelationship between humanity & nature Awareness of the cycle of lifeAwareness of the cycle of life Everyone is a separate individual and collective Everyone is a separate individual and collective

enterprises could do nothing but weaken themselvesenterprises could do nothing but weaken themselves

Techniques of FrostTechniques of Frost

The techniques that Frost chooses to include throughout his The techniques that Frost chooses to include throughout his poetry is one of the many reasons that his work is so highly poetry is one of the many reasons that his work is so highly acclaimed.acclaimed.

Rhythm, is found in Frost’s poems however, it is often times Rhythm, is found in Frost’s poems however, it is often times seen only in the meter of the poem.seen only in the meter of the poem.

Frost uses vivid Imagery to connect with his readersFrost uses vivid Imagery to connect with his readers He also uses Analogies, Similes and Conceits to further He also uses Analogies, Similes and Conceits to further

promote what he is trying to conveypromote what he is trying to convey Frost is most notable for his use and perfection of Frost is most notable for his use and perfection of

conversational language conversational language Frost’s favorite technique was the use of ambiguity and irony.Frost’s favorite technique was the use of ambiguity and irony.

BirchesBirchesRobert Frost (1874–1963)Robert Frost (1874–1963)

“So was I once myself a swinger of birches.And so I dream of going back to be.”

BirchesBirchesWhen I see birches bend to left and rightWhen I see birches bend to left and rightAcross the lines of straighter darker trees,Across the lines of straighter darker trees,I like to think some boy's been swinging them.I like to think some boy's been swinging them.But swinging doesn't bend them down to stay.But swinging doesn't bend them down to stay.Ice-storms do that. Often you must have seen themIce-storms do that. Often you must have seen themLoaded with ice a sunny winter morningLoaded with ice a sunny winter morningAfter a rain. They click upon themselvesAfter a rain. They click upon themselvesAs the breeze rises, and turn many-coloredAs the breeze rises, and turn many-coloredAs the stir cracks and crazes their enamel.As the stir cracks and crazes their enamel.Soon the sun's warmth makes them shed crystal shellsSoon the sun's warmth makes them shed crystal shellsShattering and avalanching on the snow-crust--Shattering and avalanching on the snow-crust--Such heaps of broken glass to sweep awaySuch heaps of broken glass to sweep awayYou'd think the inner dome of heaven had fallen.You'd think the inner dome of heaven had fallen.They are dragged to the withered bracken by the load,They are dragged to the withered bracken by the load,And they seem not to break; though once they are bowedAnd they seem not to break; though once they are bowedSo low for long, they never right themselves: You may see their trunks arching in the So low for long, they never right themselves: You may see their trunks arching in the woodswoodsYears afterwards, trailing their leaves on the groundYears afterwards, trailing their leaves on the groundLike girls on hands and knees that throw their hairLike girls on hands and knees that throw their hairBefore them over their heads to dry in the sun.Before them over their heads to dry in the sun.But I was going to say when Truth broke inBut I was going to say when Truth broke inWith all her matter-of-fact about the ice-stormWith all her matter-of-fact about the ice-storm

““Birches" Birches" continuedcontinuedI should prefer to have some boy bend themI should prefer to have some boy bend them

As he went out and in to fetch the cows--As he went out and in to fetch the cows--Some boy too far from town to learn baseball,Some boy too far from town to learn baseball,Whose only play was what he found himself,Whose only play was what he found himself,Summer or winter, and could play alone.Summer or winter, and could play alone.One by one he subdued his father's treesOne by one he subdued his father's treesBy riding them down over and over againBy riding them down over and over againUntil he took the stiffness out of them,Until he took the stiffness out of them,And not one but hung limp, not one was leftAnd not one but hung limp, not one was leftFor him to conquer. He learned all there wasFor him to conquer. He learned all there wasTo learn about not launching out too soonTo learn about not launching out too soonAnd so not carrying the tree awayAnd so not carrying the tree awayClear to the ground. He always kept his poiseClear to the ground. He always kept his poiseTo the top branches, climbing carefullyTo the top branches, climbing carefullyWith the same pains you use to fill a cupWith the same pains you use to fill a cupUp to the brim, and even above the brim.Up to the brim, and even above the brim.Then he flung outward, feet first, with a swish,Then he flung outward, feet first, with a swish,Kicking his way down through the air to the ground.Kicking his way down through the air to the ground.

““Birches” Birches” continuedcontinued

So was I once myself a swinger of birches.So was I once myself a swinger of birches.And so I dream of going back to be.And so I dream of going back to be.It's when I'm weary of considerations,It's when I'm weary of considerations,And life is too much like a pathless woodAnd life is too much like a pathless woodWhere your face burns and tickles with the cobwebsWhere your face burns and tickles with the cobwebsBroken across it, and one eye is weepingBroken across it, and one eye is weepingFrom a twig's having lashed across it open.From a twig's having lashed across it open.I'd like to get away from earth awhileI'd like to get away from earth awhileAnd then come back to it and begin over.And then come back to it and begin over.May no fate willfully misunderstand meMay no fate willfully misunderstand meAnd half grant what I wish and snatch me awayAnd half grant what I wish and snatch me awayNot to return. Earth's the right place for love:Not to return. Earth's the right place for love:I don't know where it's likely to go better.I don't know where it's likely to go better.I'd like to go by climbing a birch tree,I'd like to go by climbing a birch tree,And climb black branches up a snow-white trunkAnd climb black branches up a snow-white trunkToward heaven, till the tree could bear no more,Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more,But dipped its top and set me down again.But dipped its top and set me down again.That would be good both going and coming back.That would be good both going and coming back.One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.

Themes found in “Birches”Themes found in “Birches”

“ “Earth is the right place for love / I don’t know Earth is the right place for love / I don’t know where it is likely to go better. / I’d like to go where it is likely to go better. / I’d like to go by climbing a birch tree.” (Lines: 52-54)by climbing a birch tree.” (Lines: 52-54)

This excerpt contains two possible themesThis excerpt contains two possible themes Explores the relationship between humanity and natureExplores the relationship between humanity and nature Underlying awareness of the cycle of life or the urge to escape from reality even Underlying awareness of the cycle of life or the urge to escape from reality even

just for a whilejust for a while

Tones found in “Birches”Tones found in “Birches”

““So was I once myself a swinger of britches. / And so I dream of going back So was I once myself a swinger of britches. / And so I dream of going back to be. / It’s when I’m weary of considerations, / And life is too much like a to be. / It’s when I’m weary of considerations, / And life is too much like a pathless wood / Where your face burns and tickles with the cobwebs / pathless wood / Where your face burns and tickles with the cobwebs / Broken across it, and one eye is weeping / From a twig’s having lashed Broken across it, and one eye is weeping / From a twig’s having lashed across it open. / I’d like to get away from earth a while / And then come across it open. / I’d like to get away from earth a while / And then come back to it and begin over.” (Lines: 41-49) back to it and begin over.” (Lines: 41-49)

The tone of the excerpt is expressing feelings such as:The tone of the excerpt is expressing feelings such as:• NostalgiaNostalgia• OptimismOptimism• DespairDespair• AnnoyanceAnnoyance• SadnessSadness• ShockShock• LongingLonging

Analogies and Similes found in Analogies and Similes found in “Birches”“Birches”

““Like girls on bended knee that throw their hair/ Like girls on bended knee that throw their hair/ Before them over their heads to dry in the Before them over their heads to dry in the sun.” (Lines:19-20)sun.” (Lines:19-20)

This analogy is referring to the bending of the Birch Trees due This analogy is referring to the bending of the Birch Trees due to the Ice Stormto the Ice Storm

Because Frost is comparing the girls to the birch trees this is Because Frost is comparing the girls to the birch trees this is also a Similealso a Simile

Conceits found in “Birches”Conceits found in “Birches”

““I’d like to go by climbing a birch tree / And I’d like to go by climbing a birch tree / And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk / climb black branches up a snow-white trunk / Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more, / But dipped it’s top and set me down more, / But dipped it’s top and set me down again.” (Lines: 54-57)again.” (Lines: 54-57)

A conceit is an elaborate and far fetched image, which extends A conceit is an elaborate and far fetched image, which extends a metaphor into as many layers of meaning as it will beara metaphor into as many layers of meaning as it will bear

ConclusionConclusion Robert Frost was a brilliant 19-th century poet , “Frost Robert Frost was a brilliant 19-th century poet , “Frost

committed himself to the common ground he knew existed committed himself to the common ground he knew existed between himself and his reader. He knew that if he were to tell between himself and his reader. He knew that if he were to tell a pathetic story in a few common words whose weightings a pathetic story in a few common words whose weightings were part of our blood, we would respond feelingly. He is the were part of our blood, we would respond feelingly. He is the poet most devoted to bare human gesture”poet most devoted to bare human gesture”

- - Denis Donoghue. YR. Winter, 1963. p.216Denis Donoghue. YR. Winter, 1963. p.216