In White by Robert Frost - Book Report/Review Example

"In White," is an earlier draft of "Design." American poet Robert Frost (1874-1963) composed the first poem in 1912 but did not publish it. Over a period of almost a quarter of a century, he refined the sonnet and had the modern edition published in 1936. The revised version, "Design," is frequently included in poetry collections. In White Design Robert Frost Robert Frost (1) A dented spider like a snow drop white I found a dimpled spider, fat and white, (2) On a white heal-all, holding up a moth On a white heal-all, holding up a moth (3) Like a white piece of lifeless satin cloth- Like a white piece of rigid satin cloth- (4) Saw ever curious eye so strange a sight- Assorted characters of death and blight (5) Portent in little, assorted death and blight Mixed ready to begin the morning right, (6) Like the ingredients of a witches' broth- Like the ingredients of a witches' broth- (7) The beady spider, the flower like a froth, A snow-drop spider, a flower like a froth, (8) And the moth carried like a paper kite. And dead wings carried like a paper kite. (9) What had that flower to do with being white, What had that flower to do with being white, (10) The blue prunella every child's delight. The wayside blue and innocent heal-all (11) What brought the kindred spider to that height What brought the kindred spider to that height, (12) (Make we no thesis of the miller's plight.) Then steered the white moth thither in the night (13) What but design of darkness and of night What but design of darkness to appall- (14) Design, design! Do I use the word aright If design govern in a thing so small. GENERAL THEME At a glimpse, the two sonnets addressed the author's curiosity in fate and design. The speaker in the poem sought to understand whether the scenario involving the spider, the moth and the flower is merely coincidental or a contrivance. He expressed some uncertainty and skepticism that there is disorder but he himself challenged that thought in strange eloquence. Frost poetically displayed the transcendent irony and order in life. The fact that he used the word "design" in the poems signifies his deep contemplation on the subject of an intelligent plan or work done in art and skill; the intended relationship between the creations, and the very idea of a divine intervention. FORM "In White," and "Design," take the strict form of a Petrarchan sonnet (also called Italian sonnet) written in a iambic pentameter, broken into an octave and a sestet, and each following the rhyme scheme of abbaabba aaaaaa and abbaabba acaacc, respectively. Frost introduced the situation in the octet and reflected its resolution in the sestet. Laid out identically, the two poems both possess the same formal language and imagery. EXPLICATION The poem begins with the author's keen observation of a white spider sitting on a white flower holding up a dead white moth. (1) A dented spider like a snow drop white I found a dimpled spider, fat and white, (2) On a white heal-all, holding up a moth On a white heal-all, holding up a moth (3) Like a white piece of lifeless satin cloth- Like a white piece of rigid satin cloth- Here, we can assess that the speaker is in deep observation to be able to notice the creatures that are intermingled in whiteness. It is a very striking coincidence that the three figures are all white. At the mention of a spider, the majority would expect it to be black. But Frost portrayed the spider in the sonnet as snow drop white. Oddly enough is the heal-all being white in contrast to the fact that heal-all is a flowering plant that typically produces bluish flowers. Furthermore, although moths come in myriads of colors, the moth in the poem, surprisingly, is also described as white. It is very evident that the color white plays a great significance in the sonnet. White generally symbolizes goodness, innocence and purity. What makes the sight peculiar is that white is being associated with objects that signify the opposite. The spider has always earned a negative reputation. Spiders are predatory invertebrate animals often representing death and evil. The white moth symbolic of beauty and new life is dead. To give a picture of it being white all the more heightens its innocence and fragility. The heal-all's pale color probably symbolizes the level of its healing capabilities which is insufficient to resurrect the lifeless moth. In the next lines, the speaker contemplates on the scene before him. (4) Saw ever curious eye so strange a sight- Assorted characters of death and blight (5) Portent in little, assorted death and blight Mixed ready to begin the morning right, (6) Like the ingredients of a witches' broth- Like the ingredients of a witches' broth- (7) The beady spider, the flower like a froth, A snow-drop spider, a flower like a froth, (8) And the moth carried like a paper kite. And dead wings carried like a paper kite. In "In White," the presence of the three figures exudes an ominous significance. But in "Design," the merging of the three elements is en route for something good. Now, it is implied that the three are inevitably interconnected. In the next lines, the speaker wonders at how the figures were brought at the scenario. He speculates if it was the result of sheer coincidence or if there is some divine power that caused the three objects to come together. (9) What had that flower to do with being white, What had that flower to do with being white, (10) The blue prunella every child's delight. The wayside blue and innocent heal-all (11) What brought the kindred spider to that height What brought the kindred spider to that height, (12) (Make we no thesis of the miller's plight.) Then steered the white moth thither in the night The author establishes the innocence of the three and seeing nature as it is. It is not the flower's fault to attract the moth to the predator. The spider is not to blame in satisfying its existence by feeding on its prey. And it is not the moth's fault to naively fly towards its death. Each one is just playing its particular role in the circle of life. After all, the spider, the flower, and the moth also possess the positive connotation of infinity, creation, and new life. Ultimately, here lies the major difference in the two sonnets: 13) What but design of darkness and of night What but design of darkness to appall- (14) Design, design! Do I use the word aright If design govern in a thing so small. Perhaps, the years that had passed have changed the insight of Frost concerning this matter. In the first sonnet, he is uncertain if it is indeed design. In the second sonnet there is that conviction on the existence of God who is governing even the minutest things in a vast universe. EVALUATION Being able to read the two drafts written 24 years apart, I find "Design," much appealing. It was much easier to understand. He was able to depict a better description of the scene. By the two sonnets I gained an insight on the author himself, how he had progressed in his craft. The new sonnet offered three different rhymes against the two rhymes used in the former, and therefore provided more rhythmic charisma. I believe that both poems are successful in conveying their meanings. Nevertheless, "Design," proved to be more inspirational as the author had obviously matured in his resolution in the last two lines and how he himself had answered the enigma he had posed 24 years ago. Read More