Modernist literature makes the statement of non-traditionalism in its content and style. The modernist movement began in Europe and moved to the United States in the early twentieth century. The voices of modern idealism speak out against the conformity of the nineteenth century, and oppose class distinctions and lifestyles considered politically correct during this time. Religion and what it represents, no longer explicitly drive the content of modernist literature. The chaos created by WWI and WWII help press writers into independent thought and self awareness (Rahn). Modernists sometimes view life as being difficult, unfair and pessimistic, focusing on the darker side of life.
Robert Frost’s poem “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening” follows the ideology associated with modernist views as it communicates the practically of the scene by its simplicity. Though he describes the woods as lovely, the modernist does not add any real sense of beauty nor does he interject any of his own personality about how he feels. He only states what is there, whereas romantics would describe the scene from an emotional view point, and elaborate on personal feelings such as how they felt about the neighbor whose woods these belonged. Frost’s poem, characteristic of Modernism, is written more from a literal perspective.
Although the narrator of the poem appears to be appreciative of the woods, and the beauty of the snow, he realizes it is not practical to stay any longer, perhaps to rest the horse or more importantly himself, but that he must continue on before any relaxation can be enjoyed and feels obligated to keep his promise. This is typical of the modernist view that life is thorny and sacrifices must be made. Some of this thought proce...
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Frost as a pioneer of modernism in American Literature, and Wordsworth for his commitment to the ideology of romanticism in European Literature are well respected for their contributions to literature. Each of their philosophies on how to approach living and how it was manifested in their literary works leaves a roadmap for literary students to not only develop their own voice, but also leaves historical legacies of their time.
Works Cited
Frost, Robert. “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2012. Print.
Rahn, Josh. “Modernism.” Literature.com n.p., 2011. Web. 22 Feb. 2014 .
Smith, D.S. “Characteristics of Romantic Literature.” n.p., n.d. www.odessa.edu. Web. 22 Feb. 2014 .
Wordsworth, William. Selected Poems by William Wordsworth. New York: Penquin Group, 2004. Print
Waggoner, Hyatt H. "A Writer of Poems: The Life and Work of Robert Frost," The Times Literary Supplement. April 16, 1971, 433-34.
Epictetus once wrote, "First say what you would be; and then do what you have to do." This aphorism of self-discovery and obligation clearly describes Robert Frost's poem, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." In the course of the poem, Frost's speaker is confronted with two choices: he can either forget his problems or he can follow through with his responsibilities and make the most of life. It is through Frost's remarkable presentation of the speaker's thoughts that the reader may see how difficult this decision can be. Through powerful elements, such as alliteration, rhythm, and imagery, Frost stresses the importance of perseverence and facing one's fears and obligations.
Frost, Robert. "The Road Not Taken." The Norton Introduction to Literature.Eds.Alison Booth, J. Paul Hunter, and Kelly J. Mays. Shorter 9th ed. New York: Norton, 2006. 988
Frost, Robert. “The Road Not Taken.” Literature and the Writing Process. Ed. Elizabeth McMahan et al. 8th ed. Upper Saddle River: Pearson, 2007. 695-696. Print.
Life and death is the basic key in the poem “stopping by woods on a snowy evening.” Frost illustrates to the reader how this man took a moment to enjoy nature and life with no obligations to attain
Robert Frost uses metaphor and symbolism extensively in ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’, developing deeper and more complex meanings from a superficially simple poem. Frost’s own analysis contributes greatly to our appreciation of the importance of metaphor, claiming that “metaphor [is] the whole of thinking,” inviting the reader to interpret the beautiful scene in a more profound way. However, the multitude of possible interpretations sees it being read as either carefully crafted lyric, a “suicide poem, [or] as recording a single autobiographical incident” . Judith Oster argues, therefore, that the social conditions individual to each reader tangibly alter our understanding of metaphor. Despite the simplicity of language, Frost uses conventional metaphors to explore complex ideas about life, death and nature. The uncertainty, even in the concluding stanza, that encompasses the poem only adds to the depth of possible readings.
Robert Frost is considered by many to be one of the greatest poets of the twentieth century. Frost’s work has been regarded by many as unique. Frost’s poems mainly take place in nature, and it is through nature that he uses sense appealing-vocabulary to immerse the reader into the poem. In the poem, “Hardwood Groves”, Frost uses a Hardwood Tree that is losing its leaves as a symbol of life’s vicissitudes. “Frost recognizes that before things in life are raised up, they must fall down” (Bloom 22).
Frost was mentally stimulated by his environment in which many of his poems were influenced by and kept him isolated from the modern world. Frost has also admitted that his wife was the influence behind many if not all of his poems. The relevance of Frost’s poems flourished throughout the 20th century and the ideas behind his poems remain practicable to date. Frost’s unique style of writing reveals actual insight to the meaning behind his poems. Just as nature and isolation play a key role in Frost’s life, they are also key themes in many of his poems.
"Stopping by Woods" The visible sign of the poet's preoccupation is the recurrent image of dark woods and trees. The world of the woods, a world offering perfect quiet and solitude, exists side by side with the realization that there is also another world, a world of people and social obligations. Both worlds have claims on the poet. He stops by woods on this "darkest evening of the year" to watch them "fill up with snow," and lingers so long that his "little horse" shakes his harness bells "to ask if there is some mistake." The poet is put in mind of the "promises" he has to keep, of the miles he still must travel. We are not told, however, that the call of social responsibility proves stronger than the attraction of the woods, which are "lovely" as well as "dark and deep"; the poet and his horse have not moved on at the poem's end. The dichotomy of the poet's obligations both to the woods and to a world of "promises"--the latter filtering like a barely heard echo through the almost hypnotic state induced by the woods and falling snow-is what gives this poem its singular interest.... The artfulness of "Stopping by Woods" consists in the way the two worlds are established and balanced. The poet is aware that the woods by which he is stopping belong to someone in the village; they are owned by the world of men. But at the same time they are his, the poet's woods, too, by virtue of what they mean to him in terms of emotion and private signification.
Frost, Robert. “The Road Not Taken”. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 7Th Ed. Nina
Richardson, Mark. The Ordeal of Robert Frost: The Poet and His Poetics. Urbana: University of Illinois, 1997. Print.
Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” show the readers similar struggles of life. “The Road Not Taken” is about taking control of one’s life and living it aside from how others live theirs. While “Stopping by Woods on Snowy Evening” shows the desire for rest. Sometimes people regret the possibilities of the road not chosen, sometimes people feel proud about the road that they
Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” provide us contrasting and sometimes similar glimpses of life. “The Road Not Taken” is about taking control and living life. “Stopping by Woods on Snowy Evening” entails the desire for rest, perhaps due to the speaker’s feelings of weariness from facing life’s struggles. The poet also explains the tough choices people stand before when traveling the road of life. Sometimes people regret the possibilities of the road not chosen, sometimes people feel proud about the road they have chosen.
The philosophy expressed in "Birches" poses no threat to popular values or beliefs, and it is so appealingly affirmative that many readers have treasured the poem as a masterpiece. Among Frost's most celebrated works, perhaps only "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" ranks ahead of it. Yet to critics like Brooks and Squires, the persona's philosophical stance in "Birches" is a serious weakness.
Frost uses nature as a reflection of human experiences; just like humanity it can have seasons and life cycles. He uses different scenes to depict a certain mood for readers to step into the psychological happening of a man. The idea of how seasons change, Frost compares it through the life cycles that humans encounter. Contrary to popular opinion, I believe that nature is not Frost’s central theme in his poetry; it is about the relationship that man has with nature in which can be seen from “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”, “The Road Not Taken”, and “An Old Man’s Winter Night.”