stopping by the woods essay questions

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening Questions

Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer..

• Why do you think Frost uses the word "woods" instead of "forest"? How are these two words different from one another?
• Why does our speaker worry so much about who owns the woods?
• Many people have criticized Frost for being too concerned with the past or with things that have nothing to do with the modern world (like blenders, radios, and TV). Do you agree with this criticism? Can you relate to this poem?
• Why do you think Frost titled this poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening?"
• Does it bother you that Frost rhymes "sleep" with "sleep"?

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Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening Summary & Analysis by Robert Frost

• Line-by-Line Explanation & Analysis
• Poetic Devices
• Vocabulary & References
• Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme
• Line-by-Line Explanations

"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" was written by American poet Robert Frost in 1922 and published in 1923, as part of his collection New Hampshire . The poem is told from the perspective of a traveler who stops to watch the snow fall in the forest, and in doing so reflects on both nature and society. Frost claimed to have written the poem in one sitting. Though this is likely apocryphal, it would have been particularly impressive due to the poem's formal skill: it is written in perfect iambic tetrameter and utilizes a tight-knit chain rhyme characteristic to a form called the Rubaiyat stanza.

• Read the full text of “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”

The Full Text of “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”

1 Whose woods these are I think I know.   

2 His house is in the village though;   

3 He will not see me stopping here   

4 To watch his woods fill up with snow.   

5 My little horse must think it queer   

6 To stop without a farmhouse near   

7 Between the woods and frozen lake   

8 The darkest evening of the year.   

9 He gives his harness bells a shake   

10 To ask if there is some mistake.   

11 The only other sound’s the sweep   

12 Of easy wind and downy flake.   

13 The woods are lovely, dark and deep,   

14 But I have promises to keep,   

15 And miles to go before I sleep,   

16 And miles to go before I sleep.

“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” Summary

“stopping by woods on a snowy evening” themes.

Nature vs. Society

• See where this theme is active in the poem.

Social Obligation vs. Personal Desire

Hesitation and Choice

Line-by-line explanation & analysis of “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.

Lines 11-12

The only other sound’s the sweep    Of easy wind and downy flake.   

Lines 13-16

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.

“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” Symbols

• See where this symbol appears in the poem.

“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” Poetic Devices & Figurative Language

Alliteration.

• See where this poetic device appears in the poem.

Anthropomorphism

End-stopped line, “stopping by woods on a snowy evening” vocabulary.

Select any word below to get its definition in the context of the poem. The words are listed in the order in which they appear in the poem.

• Darkest evening
• Downy flake
• See where this vocabulary word appears in the poem.

Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme of “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”

Rhyme scheme, “stopping by woods on a snowy evening” speaker, “stopping by woods on a snowy evening” setting, literary and historical context of “stopping by woods on a snowy evening”, more “stopping by woods on a snowy evening” resources, external resources.

Academy of American Poets Essay on Robert Frost — Read an essay on "Sincerity and Invention" in Frost's work, which includes a discussion of "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening."

"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" read by Robert Frost — Watch Frost read the poem aloud.

Other Poets and Critics on "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" — Read excerpts from other analyses of the poem.

Biography of Robert Frost — Read the Poetry Foundation's biography of Robert Frost and analysis of his life's work.

Encyclopedia Entry on Robert Frost — Read the Encyclopedia Brittanica entry on Frost's life and work.

LitCharts on Other Poems by Robert Frost

Acquainted with the Night

After Apple-Picking

A Roadside Stand

Desert Places

Dust of Snow

Fire and Ice

Home Burial

Mending Wall

My November Guest

Nothing Gold Can Stay

The Death of the Hired Man

The Oven Bird

The Road Not Taken

The Sound of the Trees

The Tuft of Flowers

The Wood-Pile

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Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

By Robert Frost

Robert Frost penned this poem, ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ in 1922, subsequently published with his long poem, ‘New Hampshire.’

Robert Frost

Nationality: American

His highly accessible work made him famous in his lifetime.

Key Poem Information

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Central Message: One must remain committed to their responsibilities in the face of temptation.

Themes: Death , Journey , Nature

Speaker: A traveler in the woods.

Emotions Evoked: Bravery , Confidence , Confusion

Poetic Form: Quatrain

Time Period: 20th Century

This is a beautiful and introspective poem that explores themes of temptation, responsibility, and the allure of death, leaving the reader with a sense of peaceful contemplation.

Poem Analyzed by Emma Baldwin

B.A. English (Minor: Creative Writing), B.F.A. Fine Art, B.A. Art Histories

Growing up in San Francisco and New Hampshire, Robert Frost wrote poems that transcended age and time, pushing the reader into a vortex of imagery . The poem, ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,’ explores the motivations of the poet , the inherent moods of the narrator , and his fixation with woods for an inner reason . Robert Frost ( Bio | Poems ) is known as a ‘regional poet’ willing to forge his own path and ignore the poetic trends of his time.

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Explore Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

• 5 Structure and Form
• 6 Literary Devices
• 8 Significance of the Title
• 9 Analysis, Stanza by Stanza
• 10 Historical Context
• 11 Personal Commentary
• 13 Similar Poetry

‘ Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening ‘ by Robert Frost ( Bio | Poems ) narrates the account of a man standing deep in the woods, torn between two choices. 

The narrator of the poem has stopped by for a brief moment amid a snowy evening in the woods , transfixed by the mesmerizing scenes unfolding. As he takes a moment to indulge in a dosage of naturalistic beauty, he’s torn between staying in the woods and heading home. As readers explore the motivations and hidden inclinations, the poem gets intriguing, and a clever play on words renders a diverse meaning. Robert Frost has a penchant for selecting two roads, as was the case in ‘ The Road Not Taken ,’ where the narrator again arrives at a crossroads, deciding his permanent path.

The crux of the poem lies in the conflict in a moment of solace vs pending obligations .

The narrator is spellbound by the momentary distraction from worldly responsibilities, allowing himself a moment of peace. Being naturalistic to the core, Robert Frost ( Bio | Poems ) grounds his character in a forest, mesmerized by the snowy evening. The poet mildly indicates the presence of a human close by, albeit in-doors, oblivious to the passerby.

The woods, for the narrators, are immensely thick and dark and stand in all their glory. More so, the poet paints an image etched in natural beauty, drawing deep sensory emotions from the reader. The woods are blanketed in thick snow, amplifying its beauty factor. The narrator voices his concern about losing his way through the woods since it gets immensely dark at night time, and he decides to better get a move on.

Some readers and scholars have suggested that the speaker of this poem is Robert Frost himself.

Frost experienced a similar moment to the narrator when he took a trip down to his local market and was largely unsuccessful in making enough money to see his children through Christmas with the presents he wanted to buy them. Overwhelmed, he experienced a difficult journey home, during which he stopped partway through to cry. After a few minutes, the ringing of bells on his horse helped him to regain his composure, and he continued his journey home. Ultimately, Frost was able to get past his tough time, but the nature of his struggle is clearly expressed in this simple poem, filled with a yearning for peace.

Despite this compelling anecdote , without clear evidence that the poet intended himself to be the narrator, it’s important that readers look at the poem from an objective point of view . The narrator appears to be a traveler, a man or a woman, perhaps a traveling salesperson . They are burdened with obligations and a desire to abandon them all. But, they are clear-minded enough to see that society has rules one must follow.

Throughout this piece, the poet engages with one primary symbol– the woods.

They represent one side of the two choices that the speaker has before them. They could head towards the woods, or they could return to their mundane obligations. The woods represent a freedom of sorts, liberated from the constraints of society and without the endless tasks everyday life demands on the average person. There, one could live within the natural world and enjoy the peace nature has to offer. But, it should be noted the woods are also “dark and deep.” They also represent darkness and present the speaker with the option of “sleep,” or as some have interpreted it, death.

Structure and Form

Readers and children alike have taken a liking to this naturalistic poem. This poem has a ring when recited loudly. It may feel akin to a nursery rhyme . Ring, rhyme , and reason flow systematically throughout the poem. It works within a classic Rubaiyat stanza . Rubaiyat is a Persian term for ‘ quatrain ’, denoting a four-lined stanza. The scheme of the Rubaiyat stanza is as follows: AABA , BBCB, CCDC, and DDDD.

The poem, ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,’ is composed in iambic tetrameter , pioneered by Edward Fitzgerald ( Bio | Poems ) . All the respective verses conform to the a-a-b-a rhyming scheme . On the whole, the rhyme scheme follows the pattern of aaba-bbcb-ccdc-dddd convention.

Moreover, the second verse solidifies the rhyming structure of the poem. As mentioned above, the poem is written in A / A / B / A style , with the first line of each stanza rhyming with the third line of the previous one — in this case, “here” and “queer.” This is a simple structure that flows very nicely and makes the read easier and more pleasant.

Literary Devices

Robert Frost captures the essence of peace during snowfall well. One can notice how every rhyming word ends with the euphonic “oh” sound and how every word in the stanza is either monosyllabic or disyllabic, making for a simple flow, an easy read, and a simple sense of peace throughout. There is a noticeable consonance in the third stanza with the “s” sound;

He give s hi s harne ss bell s a s hake To a s k if there i s s ome mistake. The only other s ound’ s the s weep Of ea s y wind and downy flake.

It’s very easy to read and flows extremely well. The continuation of the simple A / A / B / A structure of the poem further enhances the need Frost has for his reader to understand the natural flow that accompanies a walk in the woods on a snowy evening.

In the fourth verse, “sleep” is the metaphor used for true rest, the rest of a fulfilled promise, of a fulfilled day, or even a fulfilled life. This is the only stanza of ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ that consists of four rhyming lines due to the repetition of “and miles to go before I sleep,” likely because there is no next verse to continue the verse-to-verse rhyming pattern.

Frost engages with themes of exhaustion, fatigue, depression, optimism, and commitment throughout this poem. His speaker feels out of place and out of time. He’s completely alone in the world, at least at this moment, and feeling a small sense of the tranquility and isolation that only nature can bring. There are darker undertones to this poem as well. The suggestion of “sleep” has reminded some of death/suicide and a desire to escape permanently from the demands of everyday life.

Additionally, the poet makes sure to remind the reader that life doesn’t stop no matter how isolated from it a person is. This poem could be looked at as a simple commentary on life — a statement suggesting that if one stands around and watches his or her life for too long, one might lose it entirely. At the end of the poem, the narrator returns to their journey, looking forward to the conclusion of the darkest evening of the year and the sleep, or perhaps death, they’ve earned.

Significance of the Title

Very often, the title of a poem is presented as a grand, all-encompassing, thought-provoking idea that inspires readers with its symbolic power.

Other times, it is nothing more than a statement about the poem’s content. Such is the case with ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,’ which is about exactly what the title suggests.

Analysis, Stanza by Stanza

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.

The poet begins the poem, ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,’ with his speaker intentionally considering and analyzing the fact that these woods seem familiar to them. Technically, they are trespassing on another person’s property — a forest on land that does not belong to them — but knowing that the man won’t be around for a while, the speaker can’t stop themselves from taking a few moments to watch the peaceful descent of winter through this forest. Though they don’t refer to the subject , later on, it’s understood that both shared memories in the past.

The poet points at the evidence of civilization nearby with the words ‘house’ and ‘village.’ They are aware of other people, but they don’t know the speaker is there. Moreover, they’re sure that the tenant didn’t notice them; given the heavy snow in thick woods, most people remain indoors; the narrator seems to enjoy this solitary existence. The narrator is passing by someone’s residence, feeling satisfied with their shadowy existence. They have stopped briefly to take in the wondrous view in front of them.

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.

In stanza two, the narrator draws attention to the human aspect of peacefulness. It’s interesting for the speaker to note that the horse accompanying them on their journey isn’t able to fathom the speaker has stopped to stare at the woods.

With the phrase “the darkest evening of the year,” it is easy to assume that this poem takes place on the night of the winter solstice, but this can also be interpreted to refer to the more difficult times in a person’s life. “The darkest evening of the year” could be literal, or it could mean that the speaker is having a hard day. If so, it’s all the more reason to stop and take a breather from the stresses and difficulties demanded by life while their horse looks on without a care in the world.

Moreover, the narrator seems to be a considerate character interpreting the horse’s thoughts. The horse seems to be surprised at this sudden ‘intermission’ along the woods.

As the verse indicates, the intensity of the winter cold has rendered the lake frozen. But the stubborn narrator seems to adore the immediate present as opposed to imminent danger. The narrator is hinting at the immense darkness awaiting them. In the woods, night-time can be extremely distressing for the weary traveler miles away from home. The speaker is torn between two choices yet again: to head home or sink in the scenic view.

Stanza Three

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.

In stanza three,  the reader of the poem should feel the same peace the narrator is describing. The narrator continues to describe the thoughts they believe are in the horse’s mind, which currently shakes its bell as it trudges along the road. The bells jingle playfully, indicating the horse’s inclination to leave the woods for good, which feels gloomy and solitary. Since the horse can’t speak its mind, the narrator chooses to.

The speaker is miles from anywhere, buried deep in the woods where the only sound is wind and snowflakes falling. It is Robert Frost’s imagery at its best. The poet affirms only three sounds in thick woods: wind, snow, and bell ringing.

Stanza Four

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.

During the fourth verse, the speaker makes it clear that, unfortunately, peace doesn’t last forever. Whatever long, dark, difficult day prompted this stop in the woods didn’t go away while it was being stared at. Distractions are wonderful things; anything that can keep one’s mind off the troubles is a welcome addition to any day, but the real world still exists.

The narrator admits feeling transfixed by the woods, enveloped in nature’s exquisite beauty. The point has been driven home already. But, the speaker is getting worried as darkness draws nigh; they have to resume their journey. Truly, the woods are dark and enchanting in their own right, yet they can also be merciless.

Using ‘but’, the speaker demonstrates an intense longing to stay put in their position, observing the beauty at their disposal. For them, their untended responsibilities are a burden, compelling them against their will towards their eventual destination. The promises the speaker mentions several times could be myriad, ranging from domestic errands to dealing with marital affairs.

In the second to last line, the speaker is still standing in ‘no man’s land,’ unwilling to leave. They are contemplating remaining in the woods, maybe heralding their death. This might free their soul from the materialistic world. Finally, the speaker tears themselves away from their meditation on nature. They are now firmly focused on getting home.

Since the poet is still far from his house, he now contemplates his life ahead, focusing on the imminent end of the road awaiting him. This could also be a reference to Robert Frost ( Bio | Poems ) himself since he was awake all night, completing his poem till the wee hours of the morning.

On the other hand, it could be an undertone to the poet wishing his death to be nearby, giving him solace in its fold. Looking at the poem superficially, it’s just about an ordinary stopping in the woods scenario. Robert Frost’s penchant for naturalistic beauty is still evident. The individual immerses in the scene momentarily, torn between pending responsibilities and tempted to stay for a while. Finally, he gives in to his long-ish journey and awaits obligations.

Historical Context

Most poem readers would take the poem at face value, disregarding its poetic composition, rhyming, and ideas asserted. According to Robert Frost ( Bio | Poems ) , the poem was composed in just one night. The poem was composed in 1922 and published in 1923 in his “New Hampshire” volume. After pulling off an all-nighter on his poem ‘ New Hampshire ,’ he stepped outside in the early hours of the morning and had the inspiration for the poem. A love for nature, imagery, and personification is found recurrently. He termed it as “his best effort for remembrance.”

For those unfamiliar, ‘New Hampshire’ is a very long poem, one that took Robert Frost ( Bio | Poems ) many hours to write. He wrote deep into the night, so intensely focused on his work that the next morning came almost entirely without his notice. When he finished the poem and realized he’d written throughout the night, he took a few minutes to watch the sunrise and, in the few moments during which his brain was “turned off,” wrote ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ .

Personal Commentary

‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ , one of the best Robert Frost poems , is ever-inviting, yet possesses a dark underlying connotation as well.

The concluding two verses of the poem are the clincher from the poet’s perspective . It’s also the most celebrated two lines of English poetry. The initial line, ‘And miles to go before I sleep,’ remains within the poetic parameters defined in the poetry genre . Then, the poet repeats the above line, reinforcing a more internal message. In actuality, the poet is hinting at death, which will come eventually as he reaches the end of his years.

The darkest connotation of the poem could be interpreted as a death wish. As a popular interpretation contest, the narrator contemplates a burning desire to die within the woods, unnoticed and unsung. Or maybe the poet’s intention was innocent from the start, to stand and appreciate the beauty of naturalism in full swing. The woods are between the poet and the society or civilization to which he’s walking.

He toys with the unknown, in this case, death, facing beauty in the face of imminent danger and, quite possibly, a death wish. The last line of the poem is open to interpretation depending on the reader. The narrator could be contemplating giving up on a society designed to move at a fast pace . They seem unwilling to be a part of this mechanized society, wishing for a secluded, peaceful life.

Robert Frost wrote the poem, ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ in 1922. It was published in his New Hampshire volume in 1923.

Robert Frost’s ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ is about a traveler who waits by the woods to observe the nocturnal beauty of the frosty night. He is not sure why he is standing aimlessly there. At the end of the poem, he becomes realistic and says the memorable words, “But I have promises to keep,/ And miles to go before I sleep.” Thus, this poem is about the journey of life and how one should always be prepared to leave the static desires to rush with the dynamics of life.

The title of the poem talks about a short event. According to the speaker , he stopped by the woods on a snowy evening and what he realized is recorded in this piece. The literal meaning points to the nocturnal scene and how it influenced the speaker ’s mind.

The deeper meaning of the poem concerns the journey of life. Through this poem, Frost highlights the importance of being active and always being aware of the promise that one makes to oneself. Before committing oneself, there is time to ponder upon other things. But, when the desire of reaching the destination is paramount, a person should not deviate from his route for the momentary desires.

The last two lines of this poem contain a repetition . Frost repeats the idea to emphasize the importance of carrying on the journey before the metaphorical sleeping. Besides, the last two lines present the idea of sleeping from two different perspectives . The first “sleep” is about to take a rest. While the later reference deals with death. The speaker has a long way to go before death and along the way, he cannot even waste a moment in lethargic thoughts.

The lines, “But I have promises to keep,/ And miles to go before I sleep” best summarizes the essence of the poem. This poem is about a traveler who stops by the woods momentarily and sets out for his destination. While leaving the woods, he makes his intention clear by saying that he has promises to keep and he has miles to go before taking any rest.

The speaker of this poem is a traveler who has set out for a long journey on his horse. This poem is written from his perspective . The poetic persona or the speaker is considered to be the mouthpiece of the poet, Robert Frost.

Frost’s ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ taps on several themes such as life, death, commitment, pessimism vs optimism, and darkness. The main theme of this piece is the journey of life. It is present throughout the poem and highlighted in the last few lines.

In the poem, the horse finds it odd to stop in the woods. The creature, driven by his bodily urges of hunger and thirst, thinks it is strange to halt at a place without a farmhouse nearby. It is used to stop during the journey for food and water. Therefore waiting in such a bleak place makes the creature confused.

In ‘ Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening ,’ the speaker could not stay near the woods for long as he had made some promises to keep. Not only that, he has to ride for miles to reach his destination. Waiting at this moment of the night could cost him a lot, both physically and mentally. For this reason, he left the place as soon as he realized the fact.

Similar Poetry

Here is a list of a few poems that are similar to the themes and subject matter of Robert Frost’s ‘ Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.’

• ‘The Lonely Soul’ by Raphael Armattoe ( Poems ) – In this poem, the poet speaks of an emotion that almost every person on earth has felt at one time or another: loneliness.
• ‘Life Goes On’ by Michael C. Blumenthal ( Poems ) – This poem explores the slow, meandering quality of life and the quiet peace of the poet’s life.
• ‘If—’ by Rudyard Kipling ( Bio | Poems ) – This poem is one of the best Rudyard Kipling poems . Here, the poet advises readers on how one should live one’s life.
• ‘There is Pleasure in the Pathless Woods’ by Lord Byron ( Bio | Poems ) – Here, in this one of the best Lord Byron poems , the poet reflects his strong urge for solitude and peace.

You can also read about the best poems about hope and the best poems about life .

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the rhyme scheme for rubaiyat stanza form in written incorrectly, please change it

Nicely spotted. I have amended the error. Thanks.

This poetry is reassuring and inspiring to me. The speaker pauses to enjoy the beauty of a snowy night, unwinding and absorbing the breathtaking spirit of nature, yet he then continues on his quest. This poem, in my opinion, is critical because, while it’s crucial to take a moment to breathe, you shouldn’t let that distract you from your objectives and obligations.

Your commentary is interesting. However, I found your use of the pronouns “them “and “their” to refer to the narrator of the poem very distracting. For somebody who graduated with a BA in English, you should know that when the gender of a speaker is unknown, it is proper to use the pronoun “he,” which could refer to a “he” or a “she.” You are sacrificing good writing on the altar of political correctness.

I personally think some conventions are better reworked. If political correctness helps the marginalised feel accepted to the mild detriment of aesthetics then it is a worthwhile endeavour. I am glad you found the article interesting though.

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Baldwin, Emma. "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost". Poem Analysis , https://poemanalysis.com/robert-frost/stopping-by-woods-on-a-snowy-evening/ . Accessed 12 August 2024.

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A Short Analysis of Robert Frost’s ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ is, after ‘ The Road Not Taken ’, Robert Frost’s best-known and best-loved poem. (Frost himself called it ‘my best bid for remembrance’.)

It seems a rather straightforward poem, but, as with that other Frost poem, its simplicity is only on the surface, and is belied here by several things, including the sophisticated rhyme pattern Frost employs. Before reading our analysis, we recommend reading ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’, which you can find here .

‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ is easy enough to summarise. Frost passes some woods one evening during winter, and tells us that he thinks a man who owns the woods lives in the village some distance away. So the owner will not notice Frost stopping by to observe the snow falling upon the trees.

Next, Frost tells us that his horse probably thinks it odd that its rider has chosen to stop here, with no farmhouse around. What, surely they can’t bed down for the night here? As if registering its disbelief, the horse shakes its harness-bell as if to prompt an explanation from Frost. Everything else is silent around them, apart from the soft wind and the slight sound of snowfall.

Frost concludes ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ by telling us that, lovely, dark, and inviting as the woods are, he has prior commitments that he must honour, so he must leave this place of peace and tranquillity and continue on his journey before he can sleep for the night.

See? ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ is easy enough to summarise or paraphrase. But this only goes so far in telling us what the poem means.

To interpret and perceive its deeper meaning, we need to consider the wider context of the poem, and what Frost is saying about the value of ‘stopping by woods on a snowy evening’ (why woods, and why snow, why the evening? and so on).

Everything is filled with a significance at once endorsed and belied by the poem’s language and Frost’s direct, matter-of-fact description of the scene.

The poem, if you will, wears its Romanticism lightly – but it is a Romantic poem, even while it is at the same time aware of the difficulties of Romantic awe in a modern, twentieth-century world (the poem was first published in 1923).

Consider that first stanza, as an example. It seems casual, setting the scene much as we might expect a poet to set about doing after the expectations generated by that title, ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’.

Yet it also reminds us that even our most seemingly pure encounter with the realness of nature is one mediated through an equally real world of economic and legal arrangements: these woods are not just ‘nature’, they are owned by someone who has every legal right to consider Frost a trespasser.

It’s as if Frost is transgressing merely by stopping to do something as weird as admire the beauty of the natural scene, the snow falling on the trees. Shouldn’t he be hurtling through as quickly as he can? Hasn’t he, like everyone else in the busy workaday world, got somewhere to get to ?

Any analysis of ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ should attend to the highly unusual and controlled rhyme scheme that Frost uses. For he doesn’t just employ a rhyme scheme: he links each stanza to the next through repeating the same rhymes at different points in the succeeding stanza.

So, although we might say ‘the rhyme scheme of “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” is aaba ’ (an unusual rhyme scheme in itself, which Frost borrowed from the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam ), that only goes so far towards acknowledging the intricate way in which the stanzas are linked together.

So in the first stanza, we get aaba (know … though … here … snow), but in the second stanza, we get bbcb (queer … near … lake … near); and then, in the third stanza, the ‘lake’ rhyme is shifted to become the ‘main’ rhyme, so we get ccdc (shake … mistake … sweep … flake).

In other words, the rhyme in the third line of each stanza becomes the rhyme of the first, second, and fourth lines in the next stanza. This lends the poem a sense of forward momentum, but at the same time, an air of inevitability, even world-weariness: this is not exactly an epiphanic moment, and the only openly affirmative statement (‘The woods are lovely’) is undercut immediately by the inevitable ‘But…’ (‘But I have promises to keep’).

There’s also Frost’s use of regular iambic tetrameter throughout the poem, and his choice to end-stop so many lines: there’s very little enjambment or run-on lines, and this lends the poem an air of being a series of simple, pithy statements or observations, rather than a more profound meditation.

There’s something inevitable about it: it’s less a Wordsworthian ‘ spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings ’ than a more modern acknowledgment that most of us, as W. H. Davies put it in another poem from around this time , ‘have no time to stand and stare’ at nature. All we can do is snatch the odd moment, before someone (or something, even our horse) quietly suggests we might get back to what it is we’re supposed to be doing.

‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’, then, is a much more complex poem than it first appears, making a careful analysis of how its language and rhyme pattern work together essential to understanding its meaning.

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12 thoughts on “A Short Analysis of Robert Frost’s ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’”

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep” is a weird echo of Beddoes’ poem, “The Phantom Wooer:”

Young soul, put off your flesh, and come With me into the quiet tomb, Our bed is lovely, dark, and sweet; The earth will swing us, as she goes, Beneath our coverlid of snows, And the warm leaden sheet.

Did Frost know it, and unconsciouly remember, or did both poets hit on the same phrase?

I wasn’t aware of the Beddoes connection! That is intriguing – and I think the line is too close to Beddoes to be coincidence. Maybe it was an unconscious echo? Beddoes did develop something of a belated following in the 20th century, though I’m not sure how confident we can be that Frost had read him.

When I taught this poem to young children, we made it into a story. About the country doctor making his rounds…he stops to watch the beauty of nature…the horse is used to going to farmhouses (making the rounds)…we decided the darkest evening of the year must be Dec.21. But the doctor cannot tarry due to his obligations. and it will be a long evening doing so.

“The only other sound’s the sweep of easy wind and downy flake.” Recite that line out loud and and as you do so mimic the seesaw fall of a snowflake with one of your hands and you’ll see and feel that Frost has captured the actual motion of a falling snowflake. Second, every late November I’m in the deep woods during the deer hunt and some years snow falls during the dark early morning hours. One of the wonders is that you can hear the snow land on dry leaves and fallen logs: It sounds like f-l-a-k-e. Downy flake, two words that capture the last of a snowflake’s fall. Once again, Frost had captured the sense experience of nature, motion and sound, the wind soughing in the conifers, the snow falling and landing, all animating the natural world that is the scene for one person’s pausing his travels before he must get back to business. Every year I quietly whisper Frost’s lines to the dark November woods.

Covered this one with my sophomores and we were able to have some discussion about euphemisms (sleep) and allusions (woods). It’s a fave for waking up their critical thinking skills.

Singing Frost’s poem to the tune of “Fernando’s Hideaway” opens the meter for some readers.

Ah. Like singing practically any poem by Emily Dickenson to the tune of “The Yellow Rose of Texas”

Ah. Like singing practically any poem by Emily Dickenson to the tune of “The Yellow Rose of Texas.”

A fantastic analysis. I’m a huge fan of Frost’s work. There are so many layers to his writings, and numerous ways his poetry can be interpreted.

Great analysis of the word-sound-music of the poem!

When I revisited this poem, one I though I knew, a couple of years ago something struck me that I’d missed all these years. We think this is a poem about a beautiful scene of snow falling on a woods, we even remember that Frost has somehow described this in this poem, and from that memory of what we think is present in the poem, that it’s about the enticement of this beautiful peaceful scene.

Well, the speaker does say he intends to watch the woods fill up with snow, but Frost doesn’t give us any visual concrete images (something he would normally do). Instead the vivid imagery uses sound images (brilliant ones like the snow flake sound line!) And he takes care in this short poem to make something else clear: it snowing, so unlikely a clear, moonlit night, and furthermore he says it’s the darkest evening of the year (some think this means winter solstice, due to the length of night–but he doesn’t say longest, he says darkest).

So, for the first time, I applied my mid-century rural youth against this scene. The reason he only “thinks” he knows whose woods he’s beside (in my rural area, directions were conventionally given by landowner’s names, “Turn left at the old Johnson place, etc, and so whose woods this is may be significant as landmark) is that he’s lost and it’s dark as only a pre-electricity era clouded over night rural road might be, He can see the dark copse of the woods as otherwise indiscernible shape.

If the speaker is lost in the dark, the poems ending is saying that we might (should? must?) press on, even though we are lost and don’t know where we are going.

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Home › Literature › Analysis of Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Analysis of Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

By NASRULLAH MAMBROL on February 21, 2021 • ( 0 )

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening (1923)

“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” is one of Frost’s most beloved lyrics. It retains great popularity among the general public as well as among scholars. It is almost always included in anthologies and was second only to The Road Not Taken  as the poem respondents said they most liked to read when former American poet laureate Robert Pinsky took his 1998 poll to try to identify America’s favorite poem. During John F. Kennedy’s campaign for president, Kennedy had a set speech, which he always ended by quoting the final lines of the poem about having promises to keep and “miles to go before I sleep.” Lawrance Thompson recalls the “odd juxtaposition of the tight lyric form, with its unusual rhyme scheme, and the sprawling, discursive conversational tone of ‘New Hampshire’ ” (238).

Frost once told his friend Reginald Cook that the poem contained all he ever knew (Parini, 212). He claimed it came to him when he went outside to look at the sun after he had been working all night on “New Hampshire.” Frost said, “I always thought [the poem] was a product of autointoxication coming from tiredness” (Cook, 66). He also said of the poem, “That one I’ve been more bothered with more than anybody has ever been with any poem in just pressing it for more than it should be pressed for. It means enough without its being pressed,” meaning, of course, that it should not be overanalyzed or overread. He said that all it means is that “it’s all very nice but I must be getting along, getting home” (Cook, 64). Some readers would maintain that to them it means much more than that.

Robert Frost/Pinterest

The poem is not simply a description of a natural scene but is about a person experiencing the scene. Frost once said coyly, “I guess I’m not a nature poet, I have only written two poems without a human being in them.” The speaker finds himself out alone in the evening, as in so many of Frost’s poems, including the opening poem, “Into My Own,” in his first collection, A Boy’s Will. But here the speaker travels by horse and carriage. On this night he stops to watch the “woods fill up with snow,” and he muses “Whose woods these are I think I know.” The owner of the woods has a house in the village, the speaker recalls, emphasizing that the landowner does not live in the country.

Frost wrote in “The Constant Symbol,” “There’s an indulgent smile I get for the recklessness of the unnecessary commitment I made when I came to the first line in the second stanza. . . . I was riding too high to care what trouble I incurred. And it was all right so long as I didn’t suffer deflection.” The speaker imagines in that line that the “horse must think it queer” that he has stopped to take in the magical scene. There is no practical reason to stop between the woods and the lake on the “darkest evening of the year.” The horse shakes his harness bells as if “[t]o ask if there is some mistake.” The speaker is projecting onto the animal a human concern. The sound of the bells rings out in the quiet of the woods, where the only other “sound’s the sweep / Of easy wind and downy flake.”

The fact that the horse must think it queer points out that the workaday horse cannot be aware of the stillness and beauty of these woods. Nature is not aware of itself, and the horse, as a part of nature, is not aware of the setting. Humans, however, have a special relationship to nature. They are both inside and outside of it, but they also can step back and reflect on their relationship.

The speaker finds the woods “lovely, dark, and deep” and inviting—or, at a minimum, appealing. He seems to be content and longs to find himself lost in them, off the road, solitary. Nature often has a powerful hold on Frost’s speakers, as in “The Sound of Trees,” where the speaker drops his head to his shoulder as the trees sway theirs in the wind. After the private moment passes, the speaker again reminds himself of his life. He is bound, as is the woman of “The Silken Tent,” to his responsibilities. He has “promises to keep” and the “miles to go” before he sleeps. The sort of sleep to which the poem alludes is the deepest of all sleeps. The speaker might be taken for a weary traveler, relishing the solitude of the woods on this dark evening when the snow, which brings a winter’s death, has an opiate affect. The speaker has his moment of reflection and then snaps back to the everyday. Perhaps his attitude toward his “promises” will be affected by this deep but temporary reflection.

After reading “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” Frost ad-libbed in his lecture “On Taking Poetry,” the 1955 Bread Loaf School of English address,

Now, you see, the first thing about that is to take it right between the eyes just as it is, and that’s the ability to do that: to take it right between the eyes like a little blow and not, you know, take it in the neuter sort of. And then, you know, the next thing is your inclinations with it.

And that is how to avoid over-reading “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.”

FURTHER READING Abad, Gemino H. “Stopping by Woods: The Hermeneutics of a Lyric Poem,” Diliman Review 20 (1972): 25–40. Armstrong, James. “The ‘Death Wish’ in ‘Stopping by Woods,’ ” College English 25, no. 6 (March 1964): 440, 445. Cook, Reginald L. “Frost on Frost: The Making of Poems,” American Literature 27 (March 1956): 66. Frank, Bernhard. “Frost’s ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,’ ” Explicator 40, no. 4 (Summer 1982): 43–45. Hamilton, David. “The Echo of Frost’s Woods.” In Roads Not Taken: Rereading Robert Frost, edited by Earl J. Wilcox and Jonathan N. Barron, 123–131. Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 2000. Monteiro, George. “To Point or Not to Point: Frost’s ‘Stopping by Woods,’ ” ANQ: A Quarterly Journal of Short Articles, Notes, and Reviews 16, no. 1 (Winter 2003): 38–40. Parini, Jay. Robert Frost: A Life. New York: Holt, 1999. Richardson, Mark. The Ordeal of Robert Frost: The Poet and His Poetics. Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1997, 189–195. Shurr, William H. “Once More to the ‘Woods’: A New Point of Entry into Frost’s Most Famous Poem,” New England Quarterly 47, no. 4 (December 1974): 584–594. Thompson, Lawrance. Robert Frost: The Years of Triumph, 1915–1938. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1970. Timmerman, John H. Robert Frost: The Ethics of Ambiguity. Lewisburg, Pa.: Bucknell University Press, 2002, 170–173.

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Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Robert Frost, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” from The Poetry of Robert Frost, edited by Edward Connery Lathem. Copyright 1923, © 1969 by Henry Holt and Company, Inc., renewed 1951, by Robert Frost. Reprinted with the permission of Henry Holt and Company, LLC.

Source: Collected Poems, Prose, & Plays (Library of America, 1995)

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.

Questions for Discussion and Writing

1. Describe the form and structure of the poem. Does it have a specific meter , and if so, what is it? Does it have a rhyme scheme , and if so, what is it? How is the poem structured in terms of lines and stanzas? Do these structural aspects of the poem contribute to its effect in any way?

2. Consider the significance of the poem’s imagery (not just visual imagery, but other sensory imagery ). What emotional significance do you think these images convey? Cite specific examples.

3. Think carefully about the tone of the poem in terms of both the poem’s meaning and the narrator’s attitude. How would you describe the poem’s tone?

4. In poetry, every word is important, and surface meanings shouldn’t necessarily be taken at face value. Why do you think the speaker devotes an entire stanza to the anonymous owner of the woods—what significance might that owner have?

5. What evidence is there in the poem regarding the length of time the speaker spends gazing into the woods? How might this detail be significant? How does the horse react to the situation, and what might this reaction imply?

6. What figurative meaning(s) does sleep have, and what connection might this have to the poem’s imagery ? Why do you think the speaker repeats the last line?

7. What do you think the poem is about?

Related Resources

“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost: Poem and Discussion Questions (PDF)

An Introduction to Poetry: Five Poems

The Poetry Foundation: Robert Frost (Biography, selected poems, related content)

YouTube videos: Robert Frost Reading “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” A Lover’s Quarrel with the World  (1963 Documentary)

Audio recordings: Listen to Robert Frost Read His Poems (Smithsonian) Robert Frost Interview with Randall Jarrell (Library of Congress)

A Conversation with Robert Frost  (NBC) Transcript  |  YouTube

Robert Frost: Collected Poems, Prose, and Plays (Library of America) Amazon | Parnassus | Powell’s

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Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost

“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost first appeared in 1922 and instantly hit the public nerves. It is one of the most beautiful and simple poems in American literature. Its simple powerful language and clear imagery continue to be a subject of multiple interpretations. What sets this poem apart from others is its ability to convey a sense of stillness and quietude while exploring themes of mortality, duty, and the human desire for escape from worldly realities and obligations. Frost’s skillful use of meter and rhyme, combined with his charming descriptions of the winter landscape, has made the poem a modern classic.

Annotations of “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost

Literary Devices in “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost

Sound and Poetic Devices in “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost

Functions of Literary Devices in “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost

• Creating Vivid Imagery: “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”shows the use of literary devices to create vivid and sensory images, making a good picture in the minds of the readers. For example, the line “To watch his woods fill up with snow” demonstrates how Frost uses visual imagery to depict the accumulation of snow in the woods. This image presents autumn as a serene and wintry weather. In a sense, he is inviting the readers to visualize the scene and immerse themselves in his experience.
• Establishing Reflective Mood and Atmosphere: Literary devices contribute to creating a reflective mood throughout the poem. Frost utilizes repetition such as “And miles to go before I sleep” to emphasize the speaker’s power of imagination and introspection. The repetition shows how the speaker’s journey and the importance of fulfilling obligations before resting weighs heavily on his mind even in the most charming places. It creates a sense of rumination and invites the readers, too, to contemplate about their obligations vis-à-vis such attractions.
• Adding Meanings of Symbolism: Literary devices enhance meanings of symbolism. For example, the personification of “The woods are lovely, dark and deep” show how this allurement hooks a man. This also shows the magic of woods, weather and time. Almost all of these things become symbols of allurement and attraction of a man to make him forget or put his obligations and responsibilities to oblivion. This is how these devices add meanings to the symbols.

Themes in “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost

• Temptation: “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” shows how the speaker feels tempted to the beauty of the woods and longs to stay and enjoy the peaceful scene. However, he also acknowledges that he has “promises to keep” and “miles to go” before he takes a rest. This theme of temptation also alludes to Adam’s temptation. The speaker’s duty to fulfill his promises ultimately motivates him to resist the temptation and put aside all allurements that come on his way to fulfill his obligations. The main point of self-discipline and self-control in the face of temptation emerges forcefully.
• Duty: Duty is closely related to the theme of temptation in the poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” The speaker knows that he has responsibilities that he should fulfill. It also means that he should resist the allurement of the forest. It is clear from the way the speaker feels how temptations are multiple but he has also promised and this realization of promises shows that he is a dutiful person. This theme emphasizes the importance of responsibility and fulfilling one’s obligations, even when it requires sacrifice.
• Isolation: “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” presents the speaker alone in the woods. There is also no sign of other human activity. This creates a sense of isolation and loneliness in the speaker who notes that his horse is his only companion at such a trying time and that the darkness and quiet of the woods are staring in his face, making his sense of being alone acuter than ever. It stresses upon the importance of human connection and the dangers of loneliness and isolation and how they prove alluring to a man to make him forget or almost forget his duties and obligations.
• Nature: The prominent theme of nature appears in “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” in the shape of the woods and the snow. They also represent the wilderness and unpredictability of nature. This theme emphasizes the power and beauty of the natural world, as well allurement of nature. Nature here is both a beautiful and peaceful agent that shows how to hook a person to make him/her forget his responsibilities. It also shows that although the poet is resilient and steadfast, he, too, faces the tough question of leaving nature in the midst to attend to his worldly obligations.

Literary Theories and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost

• New Criticism / Formalism : “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost shows the principles of New Criticism / Formalism literary theory , emphasizing the close reading of the text as well as the work of art. For example, the repetition of the line “And miles to go before I sleep” shows it amply. Using this repetition, Frost creates a rhythmic pattern that justifies the poem’s contemplative mood. It also emphasizes the speaker’s journey. The consistent material and rhythmic pattern further add to the musical quality of the poem and its compact structure. Also, the repetition of the line conveys a sense of duty and responsibility, underscoring the vastness of the speaker’s journey and the weight of his obligations. By closely analyzing these formal elements, we could have an in-depth understanding of the poem’s meaning.
• Reader-Response Criticism: Reader-Response Criticism focuses on the role of the reader in interpreting and constructing meaning out of a literary text. Each reader brings their own background, experiences, and emotions to the poem, influencing their interpretation. In “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” readers may find different aspects of the poem syncing with their personal contexts. For example, readers may interpret the repeated line “And miles to go before I sleep” as a reminder of their own unfinished tasks. Some other readers could take these lines as a promise of love.
• Existentialism: Robert Frost’s poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” demonstrates existentialist interpretations due to its contemplative tone and the decision of the speaker to continue his journey. The poem encapsulates existentialist concerns regarding individual choice, freedom, and the search for meaning in life. The speaker’s initial desire to linger in the picturesque woods reflects the pursuit of personal gratification and autonomy. However, the tension between personal desires and societal obligations presents a conflict for the speaker when he recalls and spurts out his duties saying “But I have promises to keep.” This recognition of his obligation highlights the existentialist struggle between individual desires and the responsibilities imposed by society, exemplifying the need to reconcile personal freedom with external expectations.

Essay Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements about “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost

• Essay Topic: Symbolism of the Woods in “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” Question: What does the woods symbolize in Robert Frost’s poem, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”?

Thesis Statement: Through the use of vivid imagery and symbolism, Robert Frost’s “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” conveys a sense of mystery and ambiguity about the woods, ultimately revealing them to be a symbol of the speaker’s subconscious desires and fears.

• Essay Topic: Duty versus Temptation in “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”

Question: How does Robert Frost explore the theme of duty versus temptation in “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”?

Thesis Statement: In “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” Robert Frost portrays the speaker’s struggle between his desire to give in to the temptation of the tranquil woods and his sense of duty to continue on his journey, ultimately highlighting the importance of fulfilling one’s responsibilities.

• Essay Topic: Rhyme and Meter in “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”

Question: How does Robert Frost’s use of rhyme and meter enhance the meaning of “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”?

Thesis Statement: Through the use of rhyme and meter, Robert Frost creates a musical quality to “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” reinforcing the poem’s lyrical quality and emphasizing the speaker’s sense of obligation and the tension between his desire to stay in the woods and his duty to continue his journey.

• Essay Topic: Multiple Interpretations in “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”

Question: Why is “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” considered an ambiguous poem, and what is the significance of this ambiguity?

Thesis Statement: The ambiguity of “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” allows for multiple interpretations, encouraging the reader to participate in the meaning-making process and ultimately highlighting the subjective nature of perception and the complexity of the human experience.

Short Question-Answer about “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost

• What is the significance of the setting in “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”?

The setting of the poem is significant because it shows a peaceful and isolated atmosphere that allures the speaker to solitude and contemplation. The woods covered in the snow show the poet’s attitude as well as nature. He creates vivid details, showing a sense of quiet beauty and serenity. This contrasts with the speaker’s sense of duty and responsibility to the outside world highlighting his internal conflict . The snowfall is also a symbol of the transience of life and the fleeting nature of time. Therefore, the setting is important for the understanding of the poem.

• Who is the speaker in “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”?

The identity of the speaker in “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” is not explicitly stated in the poem, but he is likely a traveler passing through the woods. He could be the poet himself. The poet shows him stopping to admire the snow-covered scenery and reflecting on his thoughts, the nature of his journey, his obligations, and his responsibilities. His sense of duty and responsibility to the outside world is a central theme of the poem, highlighting the tension between personal desires and societal expectations.

• How does Frost use repetition in “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”?

Frost uses repetition to create musical quality and rhythm in the poem. Through this rhythm, he centers on his sense of duty and the conflict between his personal desires and social obligations. The repetition of the line “And miles to go before I sleep” shows his sense of duty and highlights his resisting nature. This also emphasizes the tension between the desire for solitude and the responsibilities of the outside world.

• What is the central theme of “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”?

The central theme of “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” is the tension and conflict between personal desires and social expectations. The speaker’s desire for solitude and contemplation conflicts with his sense of duty and responsibility to the outside world, highlighting the internal conflict that arises when a person faces the choice between personal fulfillment and social duties. The theme of transience and the fleeting nature of life, too, emphasizes the need to appreciate nature and embrace the present moment yet social duties and oglibations come in the way.

Related posts:

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• “Morning Glory” by Naomi Shihab Nye
• “The Charge of the Light Brigade” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
• “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas

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Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

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One of Robert Frost’s most famous poems, “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening” first appeared in the collection New Hampshire (1923). At first glance, it’s a picturesque poem about a man taking a moment to appreciate natural beauty. At second glance, it points to something darker and deeper. As critic John T. Ogilvie wrote in 1959:

What appears to be “simple” is shown to be not really simple, what appears to be innocent not really innocent….The ascription of “lovely” to this scene of desolate woods, effacing snow, and black night complicates rather than alleviates the mood when we consider how pervasive are the connotations of dangerous isolation and menacing death.

Structure The structure is a work of art in itself. It is seemingly simple and perfectly symmetrical, comprising four four-lined stanzas or quatrains . The lines themselves comprise four iambic tetrameters , that is four metrical feet or iambs per line, where a iamb is made up of one unstressed followed by one stressed syllable.

The rhyme scheme, however, is startlingly clever. In stanza one the pattern is AABA. Stanza two picks up the ‘odd line out’ and sets it as the initiating rhyme, so the rhyme is BBCB. The next stanza is CCDC. Finally, the last stanza is DDDD; a neat and satisfying conclusion.

In throughout the poem Frost alternates between the human and natural world, contrasting the spiritual and dangerous nature of his experience with reality.

Why did Robert Frost choose this structure? We can speculate that, perhaps, he was signalling that a straightforward, simple surface masks deeper complexity.

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

• 2. A Star in a Stone-Boat
• 3. The Census-Taker
• 4. The Star-Splitter
• 6. The Ax Helve
• 7. The Grindstone
• 8. Paul’s Wife
• 9. Wild Grapes
• 15. I Will Sing You One-O
• 16. Fragmentary Blue
• 17. Fire and Ice
• 18. In a Discussed Graveyard
• 19. Dust of Snow
• 21. Nothing Gold Can Stay
• 24. Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
• 29. To Earthward
• 33. Not to Keep
• 34. A Brook in the City
• 36. Looking for a Sunset Bird in Winter
• 37. A Boundless Moment
• 39. Gathering Leaves
• 41. Misgiving
• 43. Plowmen
• 44. On a Tree Fallen Across the Road
• 46. The Lockless Door

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