Robert Frost's 'The Pasture' is a short, two-stanza poem, which he requested be published at the beg
inning of all of his books. If one were to analyse some of the poems that gave an insight into Fros
t's personality and character, this would most definitely be the best place to start. The fact that
he requested the frequent publication of this work suggests that there is something within it that
Frost feels reveals an important aspect of his temperament.
The subject matter; going out to work,
implies that Frost enjoyed his work as a farmer as he is at ease with nature. This side of Frost co
mes across frequently in his poetry as he explores the intricate details of his surroundings, and re
lays them to his reader. Frost's love of the outdoors is highlighted by the repetition of the phras
e, 'I'm going out©' which begins each stanza, here the emphasis is on the word 'out', echoing his lo
ve of the outdoors. The repetition of the phrase 'you come too' is also an important feature within
the poem. It is an invitation to the reader to share Frost's life; both his experiences in the cou
ntryside and how he lives at home, through his poetry. The phrase could also be interpreted as Fros
t not wanting to be alone, he enjoys other's company and wants to share his special moments with fri
ends. The final theme within this poem is the idea of having a fresh start. The poem begins with F
rost expressing that he is going to 'clean the pasture spring'. He is getting rid of the dead leave
s and, at the same time, his old life. The calf, which he speaks about in the second stanza, is a m
etaphor for his new one.
The poem is set out in a regular, organised pattern. There is a regular r
hyme scheme (ABBC) which has a rhyme in the second and third lines. In the majority of Frost's poem
s he tries to incorporate the sound of natural speech. 'The Pasture' has an irregular rhythm and is
iambic. This helps to create this natural feel within what is generally a rather structured piece o
f poetry. Frost uses five-beat lines; a technique called pentameter, in this poem. This helps to c
reate a structure within the poem and allows the stanzas to flow (like the pasture spring).
The moo
d of the poem is very relaxed, Frost puts across that his work involves no pressure and he is allowe
d plenty of time to 'watch the water clear'. The line 'I shan't be gone long' shows that his job is
n't strenuous or time consuming. The invitation 'you come too' shows that he wants to share his joy
with others.
Frost uses a lot of verbs in the poem, which gives the impression that he is a very a
ctive person, they include 'clean', 'rake' and 'fetch'. The poem is set in the present and future t
enses, which makes it feels immediate. The use of first and second person makes the reader feel per
sonally involved. The repetition of the first and last lines create emphasis and also show that his
work is fairly and routine. This is because the stanzas beginning and ending the same show a cycle
, it isn't however repetitive as the middles of each stanza vary immensely.
The third lines of each
stanza contrast each other dramatically. In the first stanza the third line is legato; this shows
that it isn't laborious work. Also it is important to notice the effect of the alliteration © it mi
mics the way the water flows almost like a drawn out onomatopoeia, the effect of this is very calmin
g. The repetition of the 'w' sound implies the repetitiveness of his job. In the second stanza, th
e third line has a staccato feels to it, the sound of the 't's and 'k's mimic the uncertainty of the
calf's movements © the fragility of new life.
The calf is quite symbolic when studying the poem in
relation to Frost's life. The nurturing nature of the mother and the young, fragile calf are metap
hors for his feelings towards his dead son. The fragility of the calf is a comparison to his child.
The entire poem is a metaphor in itself. The pasture and all within it show Frost's love of natur
e, and the place he describes with his imagery (the spring and the animals) is obviously very close
to him. The poem is there to give a new reader of Frost a chance to understand him better robert fr
ost pasture short stanza poem which requested published beginning books were analyse some poems that
gave insight into frost personality character this would most definitely best place start fact that
requested frequent publication this work suggests that there something within frost feels reveals i
mportant aspect temperament subject matter going work implies enjoyed work farmer ease with nature t
his side comes across frequently poetry explores intricate details surroundings relays them reader l
ove outdoors highlighted repetition phrase going which begins each stanza here emphasis word echoing
love outdoors repetition phrase come also important feature within poem invitation reader share lif
e both experiences countryside lives home through poetry phrase could also interpreted wanting alone
enjoys other company wants share special moments with friends final theme within poem idea having f
resh start begins with expressing going clean pasture spring getting dead leaves same time life calf
which speaks about second stanza metaphor regular organised pattern there regular rhyme scheme abbc
rhyme second third lines majority poems tries incorporate sound natural speech pasture irregular rh
ythm iambic helps create natural feel what generally rather structured piece poetry uses five beat l
ines technique called pentameter helps create structure allows stanzas flow like spring mood very re
laxed puts across involves pressure allowed plenty time watch water clear line shan gone long shows
strenuous time consuming invitation come shows wants share others uses verbs gives impression very a
ctive person they include clean rake fetch present future tenses makes feels immediate first second
person makes reader feel personally involved repetition first last lines create emphasis also show f
airly routine because stanzas beginning ending same show cycle however repetitive middles each vary
immensely third each contrast other dramatically first third line legato shows laborious important n
otice effect alliteration mimics water flows almost like drawn onomatopoeia effect very calming soun
d implies repetitiveness line staccato feels sound mimic uncertainty calf movements fragility life c
alf quite symbolic when studying relation nurturing nature mother young fragile metaphors feelings t
owards dead fragility comparison child entire metaphor itself show love nature place describes image
ry spring animals obviously close there give chance understand betterEssay, essays, termpaper, term
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