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Unit 8: Aesthetic Appreciation of Texts: Poems

At the time of his death on January 29, 1963, Frost was considered a kind of unofficial poet notes
laureate of the US.

8.1.2 summary and analysis of the Poem

In terms of text, this poem is remarkably simple: in sixteen lines, there is not a single three-syllable
word and only sixteen two-syllable words. In terms of rhythmic scheme and form, however, the
poem is surprisingly complex. The poem was inspired by a particularly difficult winter in New
Hampshire when Frost was returning home after an unsuccessful trip at the market. Realizing
that he did not have enough to buy Christmas presents for his children, Frost was overwhelmed
with depression and stopped his horse at a bend in the road in order to cry. After a few minutes,
the horse shook the bells on its harness, and Frost was cheered enough to continue home.
The narrator in the poem does not seem to suffer from the same financial and emotional burdens
as Frost did, but there is still an overwhelming sense of the narrator’s unavoidable responsibilities.
He would prefer to watch the snow falling in the woods, even with his horse’s impatience, but he
has “promises to keep,” obligations that he cannot ignore even if he wants to. It is unclear what
these specific obligations are, but Frost does suggest that the narrator is particularly attracted to
the woods because there is “not a farmhouse near.” He is able to enjoy complete isolation.
Frost’s decision to repeat the final line could be read in several ways. On one hand, it reiterates
the idea that the narrator has responsibilities that he is reluctant to fulfill. The repetition serves as
a reminder, even a mantra, to the narrator, as if he would ultimately decide to stay in the woods
unless he forces himself to remember his responsibilities. On the other hand, the repeated line
could be a signal that the narrator is slowly falling asleep. Within this interpretation, the poem
could end with the narrator’s death, perhaps as a result of hypothermia from staying in the
frozen woods for too long.

8.1.3 keywords

Downy Flake: Snow coming down (intrinsic properties)
Queer: Surprising

8.1.4 review Questions

1. What is the theme of the poem?

2. Describe the setting of the poem.
3. Describe the meaning of ‘woods’ as used in the poem.
4. Explain in your own words: “Of easy wind and downy flakes”.
5. Why do you think that the poet has repeated the last line of the poem?

8.2 ozymandias

I Met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,

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