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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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.

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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?Today's Most Commented On
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