Since they were such good friends, it vividly illustrates the importance of irony in understanding much of Frost's work.

Invariably though, Thomas would regret his choice, sighing over what he might have shown Frost if they had taken a 'better direction'. He was amused over a familiar mannerism of Edward Thomas, who would often choose a route which might enable him to show his American friend a rare plant or special view. As Frost himself put it, the poem is 'a mild satire on the chronic vacillating habits of Edward Thomas'. They frequently took long walks together through the countryside, sometimes with the other Dymock poets. Not many readers may know that it is a poem about the close friendship between Robert Frost and Edward Thomas. The final couplet,Ĭontains a clear message that there are always two choices in life. It is a narrative, with a strict metre and rhyme scheme. The Road Not Taken, the first poem in his third collection of poems, 'Mountain Interval' is perhaps one of Frost's most famous and well-loved poems. The Generations of Men (North of Boston, 1914-15)Ī Brook in the City (New Hampshire, 1923) The Death of the Hired Man (North of Boston, 1914-15)

The Road Not Taken (Mountain Interval, 1916) It can be seen that they span a broad range: There follows a list of the thirteen poems in this collection, with the name and chronological order of the original collections. Perhaps this explains his popularity as it is perfectly possible to enjoy the poem's imagery on a straightforward, superficial level, but there are hidden depths for those who want to find them. He has been thought of as the poet who hides the most, while appearing simple and obvious. His poetry can be read on many levels however, using these themes to examine complex social and philosophical issues. Ultimately his farming proved unsuccessful and he returned to the field of education as an English teacher. Frost had worked the farm for nine years while writing early in the mornings and producing many of the poems that would later become famous. Nevertheless he is often more specific and localised, using colloquial American speech, with realistic depictions of rural life, specifically those in New England in the early 20th century. Usually it helps to have a frame of reference to assimilate all the nuances, but it is not quite so essential with Robert Frost's work. He died in Boston, Massachusetts in 1963.įor English readers, the English connection and his English ancestry resonates, and much of the imagery used seems familiar. Back in the USA he went on to write many more highly regarded collections of poetry, winning 4 Pulitzer prizes for poetry and was eventually awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his poetry in 1960. For the few years just before the First World War these six poets went walking in the Malvern Hills, Herefordshire and across to Gloucestershire, discussing their poetry and reading. In England he made some important acquaintances, including Edward Thomas and Rupert Brooke, who were both member of the group of six known as the Dymock poets. Although he is considered to be one of the greatest American poets of the twentieth century, his first collection, 'A Boy's Will' was originally published in England in 1913, during the 3 short years when he lived in England, between 1912-1915. In England he made some important acquaintances, including Edward Thomas and Rupert Brooke, who were both member of the group of six known as the Dymoc This is a short selection of poems by Robert Frost, who was born in San Francisco, California, in 1874. This is a short selection of poems by Robert Frost, who was born in San Francisco, California, in 1874.

Robert frost a road not taken summary