...English 112 Feb 11, 2013 "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening". "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" is a poem written in 1922 by Robert Frost and published in 1923 The poet is masterfully painting photographic picture of the frosted woods in the country area, where frozen lakes and deep powerful forest and the traveler who is on his way home. The unknown rider pauses for a second to observe a frozen beauty of the falling snow and winter woods in the darkening evening. However, despite the attraction of the scene there is imminent danger to stay longer in the frozen woods, and even his "little horse" is resisting his attempt and eager to continue forward to the not mentioned, but definitely existing, nice and warn hugs of civilization, comfort of fire and hot food are waiting for the traveler and his horse. The poet pains spectacular photographic imagery of the poem and possible victory of the Duty and Love over the danger and death. The woods a lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep... Everything in this story: the theme, the speaker, and poetic technique is being designed by the poet to wrap a reader around like nice warm blanket that is waiting for him if he completes his journey. However, before the speaker will achieve his destination, he has a miles and miles to go through the cold frozen woods. The Speaker is a Rider on his way home. He lives in the...
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...collections, A Boy's Will and North of Boston, and his reputation was established. By the nineteen-twenties, he was the most celebrated poet in America.His Honors include 4 Pulitzer prizes. Robert Frost lived and taught for many years in Massachusetts and Vermont, and died in Boston on January 29, 1963. About Frost, President John F. Kennedy said, "He has bequeathed his nation a body of imperishable verse from which Americans will forever gain joy and understanding." *Major works if required* --Role as weary traveler-- the poem revolves around a weary traveler who is very tired of his duties and responsibilities and has stopped to take rest in the woods. He recalls the owner of the woods with a sense of jealousy (1-3) and says that he would be in the luxury of his house in the village (2)and will not see him trespassing the woods. We can also say that the traveler is a poor man as he he has a 'little' horse (6). he is enjoying the scenery when his horse shakes his harness bells to remind him of his duties and responsibilities which he has to fulfill and this can be seen in the...
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...The Attraction of Woods on a Snowy Evening In Robert Frost’s “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, we follow what appears to be the traveler’s short journey through a beautiful snowy landscape. Words such as peaceful and serene come to mind. During the first few lines of this poem it seems as if this traveler has found an idyllic setting. However, upon closer examination, we have to ask the question of why this traveler has picked “the darkest evening of the year…to stop without a farmhouse near.” Does this traveler have other things on his mind beyond admiring the scenery? Let’s step into the setting of this poem and see what intentions this weary traveler had. Beginning with the title, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” the reader already knows that the traveler is stopping to admire the falling snow in this wintery land. Sounds pleasing enough, yet the very first line alerts the reader to the fact that the traveler is somewhat cognizant as to who’s woods he is journeying through. He goes onto mention that the owner of the woods won’t know he is there since the owner lives in the village. This seems to give some indication that maybe there is more going on in this traveler’s mind. Almost a hint that he is either trespassing on this land or maybe he just doesn’t want anyone to know what he is up to. The fourth line of this poem, “To watch his woods fill up with snow”, seems to be a turning point where the reader is taken from this idyllic setting to almost...
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...poetry, especially New England landscapes. He uses seasons, flowers, fields, stars, and time of day to set a logical sequence of events to paint a psychological feeling inside the reader’s mind. Two of Robert Frost’s poems, “Desert Places” and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”, take readers through a New England winter setting, reflecting the beautiful scenery through his descriptive imagery. However, even though these two poems are set in a wintry backdrop, they convey very different tones. One has a feeling of loneliness, and the other a welcoming feeling of solitude. In this paper, I intend to illustrate how two very similar natural settings are written to express two very different themes of loneliness. The poems “Desert Places” and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” have quite a few similarities. For instance, they both share the same rhythmic scheme; A,A,B,A. They both are set in a snowy, evening where darkness is taking over quickly. In both poems there is a man traveling alone, where no other souls are around. There is a sense that both travelers are stepping away from life for a brief moment in time. The contrast of darkness and whiteness against the horizon is apparent in both poems, however in “Stopping by Woods”, the depth of the darkness is inviting. In “Desert Places”, the whiteness of the snow is blank and meaningless. This is where Robert Frost’s themes in these two poems begin to emerge to the reader. In the Poem “Desert Places” whiteness and...
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...Frost, Where the Road Brings Us #201337029 English 1080 Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” both portray similarities in themes of the weight of realities, while taken place in a setting of nature. Each are about experiences in life in “The Road Not Taken” the speaker is youthful, making the decision to last a lifetime metaphorically portrayed by an autumn forest. He must overcome his mentality to succumb from the more beaten path in a road, showing his uniqueness to take the other. “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” where as Frost uses an older speaker, more grizzled and experienced in life. The speaker also experiencing a choice, seeking a life without struggle in isolation he then reflects upon his responsibility towards the society. In the poem “The Road Not Taken”, the speaker stumbles upon a choice that will effect him forever. The poems talk of the speaker coming to a fork in his path, whereas now he has to choose one way or the other. This intersection in the road is a metaphor to all the decisions we have to make in life, and how easily it could alter with just by starting down a new path. The speaker thinks about his choices and feels that whatever path he takes; he will have to take for good. The speaker feels strongly that he must think really hard upon what path to take, so he doesn’t end up regretting his choice. “And looked down the road as far as I could...
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...narrator in the poems “Birches” and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” is comfortable in the countryside and portrays an enjoyment of nature on the surface. When these poems are examined more in depth the narrator becomes much more complex, showing that there is a deeper and darker undertone to the pleasant words and cadences of the poems. The narrator has experienced pain and sorrow during his life and finds that his suffering makes the contemplation of death both fascinating and tempting. Also, the narrator has considered the peacefulness of death but has decided to pursue life and the choices that one faces along the path of life. Initially the poems “Birches” and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” show the narrator as a simple man of the countryside. “Birches” is set “too far from town to learn baseball” (25). This suggests a place far from town and set deep in the country. “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” is set in a remote woods, far from any homes. Each location in the settings of the poems is remote and far from city life. This suggests that the narrator is accustomed to the countryside and its way of life and that he most likely enjoys this type of life. The narrator also has an appreciation of nature. This is immediately evident in the fact that each poem is centered on nature and uses the themes of nature to establish the narrator’s points. Each poem involves an interaction with nature, such as a ride in the woods and swinging from birch branches...
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...Examining Robert Frost’s Poem: Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening William R. Spicer, Jr. ENGL 102 Composition and Literature April 23, 2012 Examining Robert Frost’s Poem: Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening has been my favorite poem since the fourth grade. Mrs. Brown, my English teacher, discussed the poem during the week before Christmas break. The entire school was buzzing with excitement at the upcoming holiday and when she introduced the poem, it seemed like everyone and everything slowed and we were transformed to a quite snow-covered forest. The question I chose to answer is about the symbolism in the setting of this poem. In our text a symbol is defined as a person place or thing in a narrative that suggests meaning beyond its literal sense. The simplistic setting represents the author’s need for peace, rejuvenation and a reminder of home, before he starts out again on his journey. Few places can be considered as comforting and peaceful and lovely as a familiar forest covered in snow. Since the writer was not afraid of being alone I believe he must be very familiar with the forest and probably grew up near it. The wood behind my house was a very special place for me. In the summertime it was a place to build forts and have adventures with my friends. On cool summer nights, it’s where my friends and I would pitch a tent and tell scary stories by flashlight. My family and I would go on hikes and discover a new place...
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...“Miles to go before I sleep” Robert Frost’s poem, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”, is a few lines describing a man’s horse ride through the woods, but it speaks to everyone who reads it about major questions concerning their lives. In Stanley Burnshaw’s Biography, “Robert Frost”, he said, “In the great short lyrics of New Hampshire (1923) and West-Running Brook (1928)—such as “Fire and Ice,” “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” and the title poem of the latter book—a bleak outlook on life persuasively emerges from the combination of dramatic tension and nature imagery freighted with ambiguity”. Frost was a powerful poet who used metaphors and imagery in his writings; for that reason most of his written work is discussed at the academic level and his work can often be...
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...The poem I chose to write about is called “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” Written by Robert Frost. The poem is from the point of view of an old man who has been riding through the woods and stops. It is the middle of the night and he is watching the snow fall as we can plainly see from the lines “He will not see me standing here/to watch the woods fill up with snow” and “between the woods and frozen lake/ the darkest evening of the year.” To me it seems that the idea of this poem is stopping and enjoying little things in life, even things like a snowy wood in the middle of the night. Something so simple could be very beautiful if you take the time to notice it. The poem also seems to give the idea that we can enjoy little things in life but not forget our important obligations. This idea is expressed in the lines “But I have promises to keep/ and miles to go before I sleep/ miles to go before I sleep.” I can’t say I can personally relate to this poem. I do however agree with the idea of it. I think it’s very important to take breaks in life. If someone works to hard and takes everything too seriously they will miss out on little things in life. I enjoy nature and being outside so this poem relates to me in that way. I can easily see myself stopping just like the man in the poem to watch the silent woods for a moment. Things like those woods that can keep a person sane. In this poem Robert Frost uses a very effective rhyme scheme to keep a smooth rhythm. He...
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... A key example of the use of this strategy within Frost’s body of work is his signature poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” In the poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” is about a man who on a dark evening stops his sleigh to watch the snow falling in the woods. He is concerned that he is on someone else’s property but enjoying the moment of peace in the woods, he then realizes that he knows the owner who lives in town and can continue enjoying the magnificent time of being in this silence. He knows that he is on someone else’s property and the rules are being broken here. This brings to light the larger issue of individuals and groups not following rules or laws design to protect them merely because they believe no one is looking. His horse is confused as to why they are stopping in the middle of the woods on one of the darkest days as the man is enjoying the frozen lake and snow. The horse seems to symbolize the human conscience and the drive to do the right thing for the good of society even in tough circumstances. The horse’s role in snapping the man back into reality could represent are necessity to take stock of both the morality and the effects of our actions. The man clearly likes the woods although he knows he has many miles of road ahead of him and other obligations to fulfill. In the ending of the poem it’s as if he knows the woods are depressing and peaceful but he does not want to end up dead without completing his duties...
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...Christol Council Liberty University Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening By Robert Frost Introduction The poem is a surprisingly complex poem with voice of the narrator describing the beauty of the snowy night. What drew the narrator to stop on this cold night? The literary breakdown of this poem is vast and gives the reader a sense of presence. 1. The woods • Whose woods were they? • What drew the narrator there? 2. The horse • Understanding with the rider • Yielding the rider to continue the ride 3. The rhythm • The rhyme of the poem • The story line Conclusion The ending of the poem leaves the reader the visual of the night. It is a simple but deep thought of the writer and the feelings behind the words. The poem written by Frost Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening is a surprise of complexity. The first portion of the poem is giving the reader the visual through the eyes of the writer. It’s a snowy night and the narrator comes upon the woods it gives the impression what drew the rider to stop and admire the view. The view is without obstruction because there is no farmhouse to block the view the anticipation of the night and the view which gave a sense of peace to the rider. The sleigh rider introduces the feelings of obligations and his ability to not have such a wonderful view of such beauty of the woods. Frost is showing the emotions of the narrator during the first few lines of the...
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...Poetry Essay Snowy Woods: a Peaceful Moment or Crucial Crossroads? An essay on Robert Frost's "Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening". "Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening", when read casually, presents the reader with a quiet moment, a respite, a short break from a journey. Peaceful and sleepy it almost comforts the reader with its imagery and sense of calm. Yet under that calm is a lot of emotional undercurrent, similar to the surface of a frozen river. Its what's under the ice that is more interesting. Our main character, tells us in the first stanza that he has paused a moment (line 3). He has paused to take in a peaceful scene. The visual imagery of the woods filling "up with snow" (line 4) is rich. The snow is falling fast enough that it seems to be filling as he watches. How long does he pause? That depends on how fast the snow is falling. Long enough to see the "woods fill up" is what he says. The second stanza tells us that he has paused long enough that he's contemplating his horse's thoughts wondering what he thinks of standing there between the woods he is describing and a frozen lake (line 7) on an very dark evening. The darkest. (line 8) The third stanza makes us listen and asks the question, "Are we really supposed to be here?" (Line 10) We hear the horse shaking or tossing his head and correspondingly the harness bells jingle (line 9) and fade into the sound of a light wind and tiny pats of snowflakes landing. (Line 12) The fourth stanza tells...
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...“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” An Explication The poem’s author, Robert Frost, was born in San Francisco in 1874.He later moved to the New England area with relatives after his father’s death in 1885. His poetic style is very unique, usually needing very close readings. In “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” there is no exception. The poem is about a man riding his horse during the night, when he stops to see a wooded area fill up with falling snow. He speaks of somewhere he must be before he sleeps, leaving a reader questioning every aspect of the speaker. The style, language, and actions of the speaker in “Stopping by woods on a Snowy Evening” suggest that he rode away from depression or death, which were held in the woods on that snowy evening. The speaker, in this poem rides his “little horse” (1112) down a path between “woods and a frozen lake” (1112). He stops to stare into a patch of woods that are filling up with falling snow. The speaker mentioned that the woods were “dark and deep” (1112). He seems to be enjoying this scene of nature, but he has a previous obligation to be somewhere before he sleeps. The fourth stanza states “The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep” (1112).Here, the speaker is faced with a dilemma to either keep this “promise” to be somewhere, or stay there in the cold, and gaze into the dark, deep woods which symbolize depression or death. The...
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...a New England setting and deal with the theme of man's relationship to nature. The influence of nature in Robert Frost's works creates a palette to paint a picture filled with symbolism for the reader to interpret. In the analysis of Frost's The Road Not Taken, Tree At My Window, Two Trumps In The Mud Time and Stopping By The Woods On A Snowy Evening we can pick out specific examples to illustrate Frost's overall use of nature. In the first stanza of Robert Frost's Stopping by the Woods on A Snowy Evening we find the speaker reflecting on the beauty of a wooded area with snow falling. Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. You can feel the speakers awe and reflective peace when looking into the woods that night. He doesn't know the owner of the land but is still drawn to the beauty of the scene. Nature poet Robert Frost gives a scene that is taken into the reader and digested for a time in the speaker's mind. It shows us that it is all right to take a minute out of a hurried hour and reflect upon what is around you, whether it is a snowy wood or a quite room. The extreme fascination and accute love to the nature makes him a great poet of nature. The reader can tell that Frost does love water. He also likes the power of it and expressing to through nature. He also brings up other points of nature, but it always has water. The water is always breaking down...
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...they often contain a much deeper and profound message, which resonates with the reader. Throughout our journey we must make choices, from the mundane, to the utterly life altering. There are three poems, "The Road Not Taken," "The Wood-Pile," and "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," that convey his idea that our choices shape our futures and the people we become. "The Road Not Taken", explores the acts and consequences of choices. The speaker finds himself between “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood/ And sorry I could not travel both” (Frost 1-2). The yellowness of the wood establishes an autumnal setting which is in sync with the speaker’s contemplative tone as he is deciding which road to take. The speaker looked down as far as he could, “To where it bent in the undergrowth” (Frost 4-5), but could not see beyond it. The “undergrowth” is a metaphor for the mysteries in life which remain unknown. The “two roads diverged” symbolizes the tough choices people come across while traveling the road of life. The regret of the speaker’s decision is expressed with a “sigh” as he reflects on the unsatisfactorily state of his current life, and realizes he will not be able to travel back. Life does not give you the chance to redo your choices. "The Wood-Pile" further examines the importance of choices. The speaker is “Out walking in the frozen swamp one gray day” (Frost 1-2). When the speaker realizes “I was far from home” (Frost 8-9). He considers turning around and going home...
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