Poets and poetry

Robert Frost:

America is proud of Robert Frost, a twentieth century pot.He was treated as a poet laurate of America and 'one of his poems was read out on the occasion of the inauguration of John F. Kennedy as the President of the USA'.

Being a nature poet, selecting the rhythm of the speaking voice and his rhyme and rhythm usually remained unsurpassed 'out out' a popular poem of Robert Frost is a reflection of his view of 'the world of Aesthetic contemplation and the world of the Practical action and responsibilities.'

Frost's 'stopping by woods on a snowy evening' depicts his love of nature and his extreme admiration with a deeper meaning suggesting man's duty and a 'subtle blend of action and contemplation' the poet reminds the reader about one's duties.

In his most popular poem 'out out' the title of the poem itself seems to be influenced by William Shakespeare's Macbeth.

"Out out brief candle

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage

But then is heard no more"

Frost's presentation of the event in conversational style with clear syntax and his interior motive highlighting the common procedure prevailing in the existing society.

"The dead is dead and gone, the bustle and bustle and excitement and the wailings fade away and people get back to normal routine"

"Since they were not the dead turned to their affairs."

Frosts shows a cynical attitude towards people who soon forget the dead. Frost's popular poem most of it highlights his perception of nature exposing an experience in conversational tone.

The poem reveals the story of a man living in the wilderness all alone and perceiving that he is the only 'human watcher in the universe' he is not contented with the echo of his own voice and he longs for the company of another human being.

Frost clearly stresses the fact that a human being needs the company of another human being. The sudden appearance of Deer from the water is impressive and enticing. Frost's powerful usade of appropriate words creating the essential image in a powerful manner, allowing the stress fall in a strong manner highlighting an incident or giving special meaning to a simple adjective, syntax clear and tone is conversational.

Frost's perceptions are different from most poets, who bear 'a sense of cosy intimacy with nature' though satisfaction is expected from a 'Glorious life', Frost gives a different conclusion. "There's no response to the problems of the man's loneliness" only a human being can relieve him of his loneliness.

"Instead of proving human when it neared and someone else additional to him" "And Landed pouring like a waterfall" The single word landed emphasising the unexpected quick action creating the friendly situation for the human being.

"Frost's perceptions are very different from the stock responses to nature" (Angela Hussain) solving the problem of man's loneliness is waiting for a solution.

Frost's wording is very powerful so that the poet's expectations are clearly portrayed.

"The saw snarled and rattled

snarled and rattled" (out out)

The sound effect usually highlighting the poet's wishes and his cynical attitude towards the varied attitudes of the people towards another man's misfortune.

His emotive language style maintaining the communication between the poet and the reader.

"All poetry is a reproduction of the tones of actual speech."

Mrs. C. Ekanayake,
Retd. Specialist Teacher Eng.,
St. Anne's College,
Kurunegala