Stopping by wood on a snowy evening

                                                                                                 -          Robert Frost, USA (1874-1963)

I. Literal Comprehension

            Context: This poem is written by Robert Frost, USA (1874-1963), one of the most prominent poets of the twentieth century.

            On a dark winter evening, the narrator stops his horse to watch the snow falling in the woods. At first, he worries that the owner of the property will be upset by his presence, but then he remembers that the owner cannot see him, and he is free to enjoy the beauty of the falling snow. His horse is confused why his master stopped him at a place where there is no farmhouse nearby, and shakes his harness bells in impatience. After a few more moments, the narrator reluctantly continues on his way.

II. Interpretation

            The poet might be trying to tell us that a person must have aim in life, and he should not be distracted by anything else in the world. There may be various sources of distractions which may tempt or attract a person, but he should always realize that the attraction is only transitory and there are duties and responsibilities to be fulfilled. The poem also depicts the dangerous isolation or loneliness of the speaker. Like in real life, the speaker seems depressed because of his loneliness. So, the poem may be trying to suggest us that there is the temptation of death, even suicide, in the last four lines, in life for a person is basically a lonely wanderer or traveller of the world.

III. Critical Thinking

            The poem is written in a lucid and musical language using simple words and short sentences. The rhyme pattern (aaba, bbcb, ccdc, dddd) has added more music in the poem. Despite the fact that it is one of the best poems written in English, I have some questions about it. How can a person enjoy the beauty of a desolate jungle in the darkest evening of the year? Won’t it be dangerous to stay even momentarily in a jungle where there is no sound except of the blowing wind and the falling snow, and there is nothing else to enjoy except the cold and darkness around?

IV. Assimilation

            After reading the poem, I have realized that as a student I have some responsibilities and duties. There are many things around me that distract me. The internet social media like facebook, twitter, youtube, etc. and mobile phones, friends, films consume a lot of my time, and I cannot spend enough time at my study. Even if I sit for study, I cannot concentrate myself on it. Now, I have realized that I should be focused upon my future aim and should study properly keeping all these things aside.