Robert Frost Poems on Human alienation - Essay Example

Robert Frost Poems on Human alienation Introduction Robert Lee Frost belongs to ardent group of poets and playwrights who graced the 20th century. Although born in America, Frost’s works were recognized in England before Americans took notice of his prowess. In his works, Frosts depicts the mastery of rural life and the colloquial speech widely used in America (Dunn 3). Majority of his poems adopted a rural setting of New England; this setting helped him to elaborate social themes with ease. He is renowned for his four Pulitzer prizes in the Poetry category and is amongst the most influential poets of his age (Richardson 2). This essay will examine some of the works of Robert Frost with an aim to show how he elaborates the alienation theme in his poems. Body Alienation according to the dictionary refers to the withdrawal of a person from an object of former attachment. Alienation as a literary theme, however, refers to the emotional isolation of a person from society. The separation is often because of physical or psychological distance among loved ones. In his poems, Frost explores the alienation that occurs in society unbeknownst to us and how it affects all parties relative to an individual. The theme, alienation, is similar to that of communication. In his poems, majority of the characters suffer isolation despite having positive characters (Dunn 7). Their isolation, from one character to another, is different and is experienced differently. Alienation and isolation are often stereotypes for depressed and lonely individuals; however, Frost debunks this misconception (McMullin 14). Some of the characters in his poems do not suffer from these conditions and yet experience social alienation from their loved ones. Alienation, in Frost’s poems, is attributed to having a perspective that conflicts with that of others. In some scenarios, isolation and alienation reach destructive heights as it bars a character from realizing his true potential (McMullin 16). Alienation, despite its positive side, causes people to become prisoners on their own accord. Frost suggests that characters re-integrate into society to achieve happiness and satisfaction in their personal lives. “Mending Wall” The first poem that illustrates alienation is “Mending wall”. This poem is considered Frost’s most renowned poem based on its intricacies. The poem details the lives of two neighbors who repair their fences; this repairing of their fences is the only time the two neighbors meet (Richardson 24). Both individuals consider this practice as a ritual and tradition. The poem elaborates the stark difference in opinion the two individuals have on the role of a neighbor. Frost, the narrator, assumes a skeptical perspective on the tradition of repairing the fences (Dunn 25). This act, according to the narrator, is archaic and does not benefit either of them. He further questions the purpose of borders in relationships. The other neighbor, nevertheless, supports the need of wall and borders between neighbors. He responds to the narrator’s skeptical questions with the adage “Good fences make good neighbors” (Tuten & John 67). The narrator questions the logic behind the mending of the walls that are dislodged by nature. The act of repairing the walls opposes nature and is redundant. Each year, the two mend gaps in boulders that are created by nature (Richardson 28). Nature, according to the narrator, seeks to remove the borders between the two; while they repetitively try to rebuild the borders. Despite the narrator’s skeptical nature, Frost subtly tells the readers that the narrator is more traditional than his fellow neighbor. The narrator mends his fence more than his neighbor (McMullin 29). In conclusion, both identify the need for fences and their purpose in maintaining quality relationships between the two. This poem displays the ironic nature of humans, who are essentially social beings, of deliberately separating themselves from others. The adage used “Good fences make good neighbors” depicts the true nature of humans (Tuten & John 67). Humans maintain racial, religious, ideological barriers despite their separating effects. Some of the effects of these barriers include tensions, emotional imbalance and other conditions that are not beneficial to the human race. Alienation is evident in both neighbors despite participating in similar activities (McMullin 35). Both mend their fences, as required by tradition, but neither talks to the other. This poem seeks to invoke the reader's mind on the various walls present in society and their effects on individuals in society. The walls, which people build obliviously, cause separation and alienation between one another. Furthermore, the walls accomplish nothing in the end. “Acquainted with the night” Acquainted with the night is a poem that describes the narrator’s loneliness, a form of alienation. The narrator describes the feelings of loneliness he experiences as he walks at night. He transverses the town and encounters with security guards (Tuten & John 70). The narrator is not comfortable in expressing his feelings to the security guard, rationalizing that no one can understand him. He fails to respond to cries in the street enjoying the company of his loneliness. He further realizes that his loneliness is unending and slowly continues on his stroll (Dunn 41). The coldness of the night symbolizes the emotions of the narrator. His lonely nature bars him from connecting to his fellow man. The narrator is unwilling to communicate with the security guard despite their obvious similarities (Tuten & John 74). This scene elaborates on the social behavior of the narrator; he is a loner despite having company. Robert Frost tackles the issue of alienation to great depths in this poem (McMullin 52). The narrators stroll in the darkness symbolizes the disconnectedness the narrators feels about society. Despite the size of the city, a large society, the narrator feels lonely and alienates him from society. The cries in the night, the narrator ignores, depict alienation in progress. By failing to respond to the cries, the narrator actively contributes to the alienation in society. “Desert Places” The poem “Desert Places” adds onto the collection that depicts alienation, in the form of loneliness, in society. The poem centers on the feelings of the narrator, he experiences emptiness; loneliness brought about by winter (McMullin 62). The poem elaborates on the narrator’s fears of being alone. Robert Frost throughout the poem uses the term loneliness to build on the alienation theme.”Empty” and “deserted” are other terms the narrator uses to achieve the same. The winter season brings feelings of loneliness to the narrator due to the extensive symbols that describe the same (Dunn 68). The snow’s blankness, according to the narrator, has no expressions and symbolizes his emotional state. The narrator feels empty inside, and they alienate him from his surroundings. The poem is about the self-reflection the narrator undergoes during his journey on the snow (Tuten & John 51). The poem’s title symbolizes the mind of the narrator. His mind is a desert, devoid of positivity and is deserted. He chooses to alienate himself from others, despite being offered assistance by others. Furthermore, in the poem the author chooses his emptiness over that of others. He views the support offered by others as meaningless. The narrator’s choices slowly alienate him from society (McMullin 72). The alienation theme is emphasized in the closing stanzas of the poem when the narrator says that space and emptiness do not scare him. The emptiness he creates is the one that scares him the most. Emptiness and loneliness are not what society teaches, society expects people to fear and avoid emptiness (McMullin 79). Isolation of an individual often results in insanity, and this is the path the narrator chooses at the end of the poem. A well-adjusted reader does not understand the predicament the narrator chooses. The idea of choosing isolation over companionship and community does not augur well with many readers (McMullin 84). Robert Frosts highlights the feelings of isolation, which majority of the readers have felt, and the effect they have on the readers. “The Gift Outright” “The Gift Outright” is one of Robert Frost’s shortest and most famous poems. The sixteen-lined poem describes the history of America as a nation and its struggles with English colonialists (Tuten & John 103). The poem is famous because Robert Frost recited it during the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy. The poem focuses on the patriotism of American citizens and it slightly touches on the alienation evident in their society (Dunn 80). Frost attacks the illusion of alienation that Americans assume in their daily lives. Conclusion In summary, Frost in these poems adopts alienation to highlight the silent mindset of people in society. Frost admits that society is not perfect; it has its qualms that should be accepted. Alienation is a notion that a majority of us neglects and overlook despite its contribution to societal problems. Society, as a whole, should seek to embrace alienation and isolation in order to eliminate it from society. Frost views the true nature of society, and we should mimic the same for us to instill change in society. Works Cited Dunn, John Fortune. The Theme of Alienation in Robert Frost's Poetry. N.p.: North Carolina State University at Raleigh, 1973. Print. McMullin, Ann. Robert Frost: Poet of Alienation and Communion. N.p., n.d. Print. Richardson, Mark. The Ordeal of Robert Frost: The Poet and His Poetics. N.p.: University of Illinois Press, 1997. Print. Tuten, Nancy Lewis, and John Zubizarreta. The Robert Frost Encyclopedia. Illustrated. N.p.: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2001. Print. Read More