Themes and Analysis of Birches In the adolescent years we are young, we are strong, tall and unbent
due to inexperience of childhood which is a very important and
necessary part of youth. "Birches" illustrates the author’s ability to
take the regular activities of life and transform it, giving it a much
deeper interpretation. The reader perceives the poem to refer to a
young country boy "whose only play was what he found himself," in this
situation, finding entertainment in riding birch branches. The poem,
though appearance may seem quite literal in language, is very
interpretive when closely viewed. “Birches” contains deeper themes of
life, love, aging and death as well as good and evil which are to be
conveyed in this essay.
The poem opens with a description of the activities of the young.
Frost contemplates the simplicity of childhood: “I like to think some
boy’s been swinging them.” When we are young we are erect and straight
such as the birch tree. The author implies the theme of aging by
imagery of “straighter and darker trees…” Frost vividly describes the
shape of the branches of the birch tree to show the overwhelming
weight of the ice storm. “Then bend them down to stay.” Frost uses the
“ice storms” to describe the power of the journey through life and its
toll that it takes. The author portrays the ice storms as dominant
over the submissive branches. Frost uses this graphic detail to imply
that the pla...
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...that life at its best is
climbing a birch tree when young, seeing things how they really are,
in black and white, without opinions shaped by life. “That would be
good going and coming …. One could do worse than be a swinger of
birches”
I'd like to get away from earth awhile
And then come back to it and begin over.
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May no fate wilfully misunderstand me
And half grant what I wish and snatch me away
Not to return. Earth's the right place for love:
I don't know where it's likely to go better.
I'd like to go by climbing a birch tree,
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And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk
Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more,
But dipped its top and set me down again.
That would be good both going and coming back.
One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.
Death. Only two things are certain in life, death, and taxes. As the Human condition is concerned death is directly related to mortality. Mortality is in a sense the focus of all human existence. In most cases, the human mind inadvertently neglects this concept. In the true depth of mortality is hidden behind a shroud of humor. In the inquisitive, the brain creates a logical fallacy to cope with the concept. The basis of the human condition is mortality. The main points of the human condition are birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality. Birth, growth, and aspiration all stem from the concept of mortality.
"The theory of Timbertop was this: that adolescent boys could develop by themselves, out of the usual school machine. Placed in a different and less clement environment, they should undertake responsibility for themselves and be given the challenges of something like a man's live under conditions that they had to conquer but the first principle was essentially one of self-reliance and the challenge to live up to this responsibility."
Life, such a broad yet concise topic. A multitude of different people and cultures offer different opinions on what gives life value and how to obtain satisfaction in our lives. For example, the typical “American Dream” is defined as attaining wealth and success through hard work, while many Spanish cultures consider closeness within a family a valuable trait in life. Whether it is family, success, love, or faith, every citizen in each different culture finds what brings him or her joy and does whatever it takes to reach this satisfaction. There are three specific aspects of my life which make life worth living; these include my faith, my family, and the talents I have been blessed with.
The Japanese maple trees were subjects for much poetry and art in seventh century Japan. However, both world wars took their toll on the many different collections of these trees, and they were often used as firewood. By the end of the 1940s, many cultivars had disappeared. However, in the 1960s there was a return of interest and since then over 320 varieties of the Japanese maple have been developed from the native trees that were left.
loved ones, himself, and his creation that is responsible for all of these tragic events.
regret. The idea of time and how it is finite is one of the main
pain and suffering. In life there is despair, confusion and grief. In just one day a man experiences
happiness and true success. The way is hard, the path is long, and nothing is
There have always been many different trees are found in the forest. Tall ones, round of leaf and with broad branches spread open in welcome. Short ones are found here as well, with thin trunks and wiry limbs they sway in the breeze. A wide variety of foliage in the emerald grove dancing merrily to the whispers of the wind. In this quiet thicket, a different type of tree grows, too. They stand resolute, patient, and ever growing.
body, containing within it the key to understanding what it means to exist in this world
God’s love for us, but think of them as stories and lessons on how to follow the “way of
Lopez, Barry. “Children in the Woods.” The McGraw-Hill Reader Issues across the Disciplines. 11th Edition. Gilbert Muller. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011. Print.
The universe, and what it means to be alive is almost impossible to define; yet that does not stop humanity from trying. “Lonergan’s philosophy of the human person reveals that being human means having an unlimited number and variety of questions about life and the universe.” (Morgan, 1996). There is no limit on the number and variety of questions the human person will ask, "the most subversive people are those who ask questions” (Gaarder), as a result there are many varied and opinionated answers. This essay will explore three different theories on how one might find answers to life's ultimate questions. At one point or another, every human being has asked the question why: Why am I here? What is my purpose? What is the point? It is in our nature as human beings to reason, to think, to ask, it is what separates us from the rest of creation, and with this ability to reason, we are left with one question: Why? Throughout history many have tried to answer this question, some have come to the conclusion that meaning is found through God, and one’s faith. Others feel that life begins meaningless, and it is up to the individual to give life meaning; then there are those who believe that life has no meaning, and we are all essentially, just waiting to die, "The meaning of life is that it ends." (Kafka).
In the poem Birches by Robert Frost, Frost portrays the images of a child growing to adulthood through the symbolism of aging birch trees. Through these images readers are able to see the reality of the real world compared to their carefree childhood. The image of life through tribulation is the main focal point of the poem and the second point of the poem is if one could revert back to the simpler times of childhood. The language of the poem is entirely arranged through images, although it contains some diction it lacks sound devices, metaphors, and similes compared to other published works by Frost.
immortality, death, and the difference between the psyche (soul) and the soma (body) are just a few of the