Analysis Of Acquainted With The Night By Robert Frost

Robert Frost was one of the most brilliant poets of his time. Becoming a New England native later in his life, Frost wrote many poems that incorporated characteristics of New England into his writing. This included, but was not limited to, the weather changes, the people, and many other components. Frost was born in San Francisco, California on March 26th, 1874. Based on his poetry, people argue that he is either the poet of quaint country wisdom or he is a poet of dark gravity, one who peers into the depths of the human experience, and whose poetics transcend being categorized as something merely country, merely quaint. There could be an argument that he is both, but most would argue more towards the fact that he is more of a poet of dark gravity. In his poems, he often made references to dark thoughts and storylines. However, in

Not only the name of the poem begging the fact that it shows off his dark side, but lines such as “I have looked down the saddest city lane. I have passed by the watchman on his beat and dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.” (Robert Frost, Acquainted With The Night) This line alone shows an emotion of sadness and pessimism. The reader can almost picture frost standing on a long and empty road in the rain, looking down and unwilling to look at what is up ahead. The other lines of this specific poem also make references to what seems almost like a heartbreak. The poem sounds as if someone had broken his heart, and he’s just standing out in the rain, unsure of what to do with himself. Earlier lines in the poem, such as: “I have walked out in rain—and back in rain. I have outwalked the furthest city light.”(Robert Frost, Acquainted With The Night) makes it seem as if he has been walking all night looking for a specific something or someone. This poem has a very depressing tone to it, which ties into the idea that Robert Frost is a poet of dark