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Robert Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" - An Interpretation

His Classic Poem from the Author's Point of View

By Prinalgin, published Mar 10, 2006
Published Content: 833  Total Views: 667,646  Favorited By: 9 CPs
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Rating: 2.9 of 5
Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

The first four lines are the key that unlocks the door to the meaning of this entire poem, with the important words being "though" and "his." The man in the sleigh believes he knows who is the property owner, the man this tract of woods belongs to. He also knows that if he is correct, the man won't be around tonight on a snowy, cold evening. The word "though" conveys that thought; the idea that someone in the village would never be out and about during such weather. The use of the phrase "to watch HIS woods fill up with snow" shows resentment, as if the man should not have the right to regulate who can stop and gaze upon his woods. It also implies that the man in the sled is jealous and probably poor and overburdened by his obligations.

Takeaways
  • The author feels the individual in the poem is contemplating suicide
  • Frost's snowy woods are a metaphor for the afterlife
  • The man in the poem does not enjoy his mundane existence
Did You Know?
Robert Frost's poem holds up today as well as ever?
Comments
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this poem is not all it seems, it is over Interpretated and overly exaggerated

Posted on 09/27/2008 at 5:09:07 PM

 
This poem is truly interesting in that it shows two sides of a single persons perspective one that he has finally found his resting place but two)that now that he has finally found his resting place IT has motivated him to live on and to solve whatever problem he has

Posted on 09/14/2008 at 8:09:45 PM

 
This is one of the most deeply perceptive and reflective poems written. The stunning use of imagery has always made me stop and take in the view alongisde the writer. Even as a child this was one of the first poems that i immediately took a liking to. To me the poem is about several different things. The creative mind with the appreciation of beauty looking at something owned by another man who inspite of owning these woods will not see their beauty. The metaphor for life and the wait for an escape from the responsibilities and toils of life. Even though many view that escape to be death, i think it is more than that. it is the escape to what is the innermost and purest desire of the writer. The desire to smell the roses. It is also about the beauty that can still be seen on the 'darkest evening of the year' by a mind that seeks it. Above all its the magic of the image thats more powerful than if it were a picture or a painting.

Posted on 08/07/2008 at 2:08:16 AM

 
I like this poem . It is interesing and i'm analysing it right now =)

Posted on 06/11/2008 at 2:06:40 AM

 
it is really interstion meaningful poems .it conveys a certain sufferness of a young poet robert frost

Posted on 05/01/2008 at 2:05:48 PM

 
I really enjoyed this poem although it was a bit difficult to understand.

Posted on 03/12/2008 at 4:03:43 PM

 
I love this poem and im doing a poem anaylsis on it right now :)

Posted on 02/17/2008 at 10:02:17 AM

 
this is a lovely poem but somehow i couldnt really understand his real meaning of it...

Posted on 01/23/2008 at 6:01:00 AM

 
it's really great.. it really convey a lot of meaning that really makes the poem beautiful

Posted on 01/09/2008 at 3:01:59 AM

 
it is masterful

Posted on 12/11/2007 at 4:12:32 PM

 
this poem is so wonderful...i just love it..especially the last four line "woods are lovely dark and deep" those lines touches one's heart..

Posted on 11/14/2007 at 7:11:00 AM

 
After reading this poem and fully analyzing it ..i love it! At first glance i could not connect but after dealing it line by line it is so real and connects with some of societies hottest issues like suicidal youths this poem is inspirational because often times suicidal victims are gone before they can realize it is wrong to take their life..... In closig "Life is like a battle fight on for victory!"

Posted on 10/01/2007 at 7:10:00 PM

 
The poem can convey a lot of meanings... It's up to the reader to analyze what would be his interpretation about the poem.

Posted on 08/09/2007 at 9:08:00 PM

 
very irratic...gReat!!

Posted on 06/14/2007 at 6:06:00 AM

 
i like this poem. i find it to be very interesting and one of robert frost best

Posted on 04/15/2007 at 3:04:00 PM

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