Literary Shelf

Power of Nature as Depicted by Robert Frost

Robert Frost who is a nature poet, depicts another imagination through the poem 'Stopping by the woods.' Frost  basically uses this poem to discuss the beauty of nature, exeeding literal meanings, while ironically depicts its power over man.

Frost uses simple but convincing words to convince the reader of the beauty of nature which really is powerful to win over man. The use of a busy man 'the rider' as the speaker proves nature is so powerful for even the busy man will stop to admire it.

"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"

It may be the duties attached to him concerning his lover or wife and children. May be he is talking about everything that he has to complete before he dies, as one can interpret "the darkest evening of the year" to the last few years of an ageing man. Yet it says this man is not a person given to admire nature, but to fulfill his duties and responsibilities, like most of the people at present. Yet the poet says he is also attracted towards nature which is testified by the rider's own words.

"He will not see me stopping here
to see the woods fill up with snow"

Use of a busy man to admire nature fulfills the aim of convincing even the busiest cannot win over the nature. They will have to succumb to its power, whatever duty they have to fulfill.

This rider experiences a moment of happiness filled with freedom to enjoy what he loves; the  natural beauty. Seeing the woods filled up with snow may not give a satisfying moment to this grownup man.He may need to reach his home, the warmth of his children and wife who will be seeing him after a long time. Yet this person makes astop to admire the woods. On the spur of the moment, where no one disturbs his imaginations, he enjoys the beauty to the fullest. Although his horse reminds him of his journey he does not care; he is that much  merged  in the attractive, untouched, unspoilt nature blessed with its own beauty: snowy evening.

"My little horse must think it queer
to stop without a farmhouse near"
                              
"He gives the harness bells a shake
to ask if there were some mistake
the only sound's the sweep
of easy wind and downy flake"

At one second the rider is pulled out of this world of fantacy experienced by him and reminded of his journey towards his destination. At another he is subconciously attracted by natural beauty. This clearly shows man is no longer a balanced person who is busy surviving. Nature is the only thing that can make him free of his work. So the poet is trying to convince the reader, the power of nature symbolized by this strange, dark and deep but lovely woods which is still powerful enough to pull even a single person out of their work ethic.

These simple yet convincing words,its way of use and the existing power of nature altogether makes the poet's determination of depicting the power of nature fulfilled.
 

12-Sep-2013

More by :  Gayani Jayatissa

Top | Literary Shelf

Views: 3488      Comments: 1



Comment thanx a lot....

Nilan
26-Sep-2013 17:38 PM




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