Human and Nature in Robert Frost

The Self and Society in Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening For the speaker of Robert Frost's poem, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," the time that he takes to stop and view the woods is unusual; his duties and responsibilities don't allow for him to linger. Even so, the speaker finds great pleasure in this unexpected pause in his journey. The binary oppositions present in the poem indicate that, regardless of his responsibilities, the speaker would like to remain in the woods and take in the scene set before him. For it is here in the woods that the speaker feels a sense of individualism; it offers an escape from the communal responsibilities with which he is laden. However, while the "natural" side of the oppositions within the poem seem to be privileged, the speaker finally chooses to lay them aside and carry out his duties.

From the imagery and the simplistic structure, the reader is tempted to literally interpret the poem; however, one must analyze the rooted significance that is in Robert Frost’s poem. The four quatrains of this poem are the definition of simplicity. It tells of an experience on a late night where Robert Frost comes across some snowy woods late in the evening. The lovely scene before his eyes intrigues the author and tempts him to remain in the woods. However, the author is still aware of the large ground that is to be covered before he can relax for the remainder of the evening.

“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” “Portable Literature: Reading, Reacting, Writing.” 7th ed. Kirszner, Laurie G., and Stephen R. Mandell. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2011. 655-56. Print.

It seems that it would be more upsetting to him to be observed by the owner of the woods than by the horse. Although it is obvious the speaker wants a private moment in the woods, the reader is left wondering what the speaker is really thinking (C3, 1-2). Resistant objects are another form of symbolism used in “Stopping by Woods.” The woods represent life in an uncivilized world (B5 3). The speaker feels an attraction to the woods; for that reason, he immediately allows the setting to provide him a brief time away from his daily responsibilities (E2, np). Right away the speaker acknowledges that he does not own woods.

2011. March, Thomas and Harold Bloom. "The Poetry of Robert Frost and the Creative Genius of Everyday Life." Bloom's BioCritiques: Robert Frost (2002): 51-66. Literary Reference Center.

Web. 6 May 2014. Brower, Reuben. "On "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"." On "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening".

According to John Ogilvie, “The poet is aware that the woods by which he is stopping belong to someone in the village […] 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 significance” (230). This idea that the woods belong to the poet is an essential idea to Frost’s poetry because Frost’s life was plagued with death and death is significant to him because it played a major role in his life. In “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” Frost uses the imagery of nature to portray the life of the speaker. Frost describ... ... middle of paper ... ...ing” Literature: A Portable Anthology. Ed.

His house is in the village, though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. '; The persona is saying that he knows who owns the woods, but he won't see him looking at the woods because he lives in the town. The author knows that Bob will not visit because he only owns the woods, he lives in the town and does not appreciate the beauty they possess or he would be there visiting them himself. The author is appreciating life and the freedom that he has while observing his own winter or the last stanza of his life as he watches the woods as they fill will snow. It is clear that the author (the persona of the poem) has chosen a life different from that of Bob.

litertureclassics.com/authors/Frost/). In this poem the rider is returning home one late evening, but is tempted by the beauty of the snow filled woods, perhaps evil lurks behind the branches. The mystery continues with the contrast between the light of the village and the darkness of the woods. This mystery is an allure to humans, as we try to conquer nature, but it still has the power to drag us behind its change... ... middle of paper ... ...plain the continuance of life. Bibliography Frost and Nature.

Critical Companion to Robert Frost: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work, Critical Companion. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2007. Bloom's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web.