Robert Frost’s ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ is considered one of the famous works of the writer. The poem is made up of four stanzas comprising of four lines each. As far as the rhyming meter is concerned, the poem follows the AABA scheme and written using the iambic tetrameter (Aries 1). It is also important to note that all of the last lines in the fourth stanza continue to rhyme. At first glance, the poem provides readers with a mysterious feel as the persona engages to the uncertainty of travelling on a dark snowy evening. However, Robert Frost enables readers to appreciate the beauty amidst the darkness and eeriness of the situation through effective use of symbolism and emotion.
One of the striking themes portrayed by this poem is the ability of man to get in touch with nature and learn something from this experience. Examining closely, this particular theme examines how the experience of man to understand the surroundings offered. The poem seeks to showcase the ‘processes’ from encountering the cold and how the person uncovered various insights related to him and nature. Using the perspective of Richard Gray, he contends that “it is process rather than product, it invites us to share in the experiences of seeing, feeling, and thinking, not simply to look at their results” (1). Through such engagement with nature, the poem presents the persona had the ability to develop self-knowledge and a deeper perspective to human condition, particularly the relationship with nature.
The theme related to isolation can also be seen in the poem. Here, the man who embarks on the journey portrays one of a solitary traveler who wanders the dark snowy evening. Through his encounter with the horse and nature, the persona then uncovers and realizes important connections. Even if the persona in poem is devoid from interaction with another human being, he founds significance and beauty to his encounter in the woods. The line in Frost poem where he mentions “The woods are lovely, dark and deep” (1) show the realization of attractiveness of the event even with the terrifying feature attributed to it. This was achieved due to the man’s solitary journey to the woods.
Also evident in the poem when analyzed further is the existence of numerous symbolisms and imagery. Most of these come from the persona’s interaction with nature. The use of ‘dark woods’ in the poem is used as a symbolism of the long and difficult journey that the man anticipates on embarking. Another example of symbolism comes from the ‘village’. This can particularly mean society or the community the persona in the poem is distanced (Aries 1). Likewise, trees can also be seen as symbolisms. Apart from the physical boundaries it tries to represent, it can also convey limitations that block the ability of man to engage in deeper connection or revelation. Arguably, all these symbolisms remain to be valuable in helping portray the meaning of the poem to readers and demonstrate complexity in terms of its interpretation and relevance.
Overall, it is through Robert Frost’s effective use of imagery that makes ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ one of his most famous and enduring works. It brings forward man’s realization and significance through seclusion. Using nature as one of his central themes, the poem is able to evoke learning experiences amidst the solitude and lack of personal connections by the persona. Equally, through careful use of words, Frost offered complexity and multiple meanings for readers to decipher.
Works Cited
Aries, DC. ‘Poetry Analysis Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost’ Humanities 360, 19 Sept.2011.Web. Accessed 18 July 2014.
Frost, Robert. ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ Poetry Foundation. n.d. Web. Accessed 18 July 2014.
Gray, Richard. ‘On Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ Illinois.edu. n.d. Web. Accessed 18 July 2014.