Compare the neighbors in Mending Wall and The Ax-Helve- Robert Frost - Essay Example

Neighbors in "Mending Wall" and "The Ax-Helve:" A Comparative Analysis In naturalism concept, it had been argued to possess scientific basis, yet, indicates human occupants as widely victimized by (intrinsic and extrinsic) forces which can be both unmanageable and incomprehensive in appeal, and duly presented in the form of materialistic and external descriptions to manifest human behavior and thinking (Bendixen and Nagel 18). One could surmise that chief characters could be depicted based on environmental illustrations in indirect reflection of how they view and carry themselves in relation to external background.

In the literary pieces written by Robert Frost entitled “Mending Wall” and “The Ax-Helve,” similarities in neighboring feature can be drawn based on naturalism context, although, at deeper levels, differences could be drawn based on its two main strands, exhibiting a contrast in the process. The structural background of the neighborhood in the two stories appeared to indicate like attributes. There is a rural sense in Frost’s two poems, with illustrations “in the woods” (“The Ax-Helve” pt. 3) to “beyond the hill” (“Mending Wall” pt. 12). Common pieces are the provincial atmosphere in which their physical conditions are anchored on.

Neighboring values can also be observed, as protagonists enact suspicious stance towards the intentions of their neighbors. With “The Ax-Helve,” the protagonist deemed in necessary to “judge if what he (Baptiste) knew about an ax. That not everybody else knew was to count” (pt. 44). On the other side, doubts on other’s motive led the protagonist in “Mending Wall” to issue an order to “Stay where you are until our backs are turned” (pt. 19). Such emotions, as explained in naturalism concept, possess internal aspects of uncontrollable influence, manifesting itself in the wary way protagonists proceed.

In extensive appeal, literary naturalism can be divided into two primary strands, “social and the aesthetic.” The former is founded on general social contexts and movements, mostly in poor and rural areas, in the midst of socioeconomic development, while the latter is philosophical in approach, where views veer on artistic presentations rather than ethical and societal contents (Frisch 44-45). Granted, the two literary pieces may be more in the social strand, with the type of associations they portray, but underlying motives behind such social relations may substantially differ.

The instrumental use of materials, such as the wall and ax-helve, are of different features, but they serve as common interests in the two poems--in different manner. In “Mending Wall,” the erection of the wall works in dual ways, either for “walling in or walling out” (pt. 33). On a singular pattern, “The Ax-Helve” piece expressed more cordial reception on neighborly associations, as several sets had been presented, “A quiverful, to choose from, since he wished me,/ To have the best he had” (pt. 66-67). With mental indecision on how to handle neighborly communications, as regardless of geographical division, there may be disinterests on forging cultural links with local neighbors reflect the need to wall one inside (Ambruster and Wallace 305-307).

Singularly, motives in the latter may be more positive, with the neighbor’s intent to forge more affectionate connections with the protagonist with the helpful gesture. All in all, in the poems created by Foster, underlying distinctions in intent supersede the superficial impact of general social norms and cultural conduct. In the “Mending Wall,” neighborly pursuits appeared to proceed in a culturally divergent appeal, while there is a more constructive approach adapted in “The Ax-Helve’s” neighborly concept.

Works Cited Ambruster, Karla, and Kathleen R. Wallace, eds. Beyond Nature Writing: Expanding the Boundaries of Ecocriticism. United States of America: The University Press of Virginia, 2001. Print. Bendixen, Alfred, and James Nagel, eds. A Companion to the American Short Story. Singapore: Blackwell Publishing, 2010. Print. Frisch, Walter. German Modernism: Music and the Arts. United States of America: University of California Press, 2005. Print. “Mending Wall.” Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation, 2011. Web. 22 June 2011.

“The Ax-Helve.” Bartelby.com. Bartelby, 1917. Web. 22 June 2011.