Robert Frost

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Robert Frost

Robert Frost was the most popular American poet of the twentieth

century. Most Americans recognize his name, the titles of and lines from his best-known poems, and even his face. Given his immense popularity, it is a remarkable testimony to the extent of his achievement that he is also considered to be one of the greatest, if not the very greatest, of modern American poets. "…the life and work of America's premier poet- the only truly national poet America has yet produced"(Parini23). His influence is still being felt in American life today. His success in America as well as in England has guaranteed the preservation of his legacy for generations to come. "…Frost gradually evolved from poet to cultural icon, becoming a friend of presidents, a sage whose pronouncements attracted world press attention" (Pa23). Robert Frost wrote poetry for all people, which is the main reason for his success still today. He portrays life and death in many of his poems. His views on life and death can be seen in poems such as Acquainted with the Night, The Span of Life, West-Running Brook and Out- Out.

Frost explores a different aspect of life and death with his poem, Acquainted With the Night. "Acquainted With the Night belongs with a group of dark poems in a section subtitled Fiat Knox (let there be night), an ironic allusion to Fiat Lux (let there be light), the divine command in Genesis, when God created the heaven and the earth" (Meyers194). This poem is the story of a person who walks at night, silently watching everything happen around them. I seemed confused with the whole concept of walking the night away, until I reread the poem and discovered a possible translation. " When far away an interrupted cry, Cam...

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...f the subject. The symbolism he uses to illustrate his messages, offers a sense of peace and acceptance to those who see death as a painful and mysterious journey.

Acquainted with the Night, The Span of Life, West-Running Brook and Out- Out are great examples of how Robert Frost saw life and death.

Bibliography:

· Arp, R. Thomas. Perrine's Literature, Fort Worth: Harcourt, 1998

· Frost, Robert. Acquainted with the Night. Arp790

· Frost, Robert. Out,Out. Arp681

· Frost, Robert. The Span of Life. Arp766

· Meyers, Jeffrey. Robert Frost, New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1996

· Moore, Richard. The Explicator. "Frost's Out-Out". Winter 2000, pg95

· Parini, Jay. Robert Frost: A Life. New York: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 1998

· West Running Brook. "A Selection of Robert Frost Poems #3". June 23,

2001 http://www.amhurstcommon.com/walkingtour/frost.htm

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