Poetry Analysis: Stopping By The Woods on A Snowy Evening

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening: An Analysis

By Robert Frost

This poem, ‘Stopping by Woods on A Snowy Evening’ is a very descriptive poem about a travelling man who stops by a dense forest, on the darkest evening of the year. He simply can’t tear himself apart from the scenic view, which is almost sacred to him. The horse appears to be just a companion for the man, helping him through the bitter winter cold. This gives me the indication that this may be a melancholic poem. It appears to a Realistic Fiction or a Memoir.

In the first stanza, the poet writes:

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.   

When I read this, the simplest interpretation is that the woods he was stopping by was owned by an acquaintance who lived in the village and who would not see the poet stop to watch the snow fill up his lovely woods. It could simply be an expression of a stolen moment of wonder and joy as he watched the snow fall down.

Alternatively, the lines: “He will not see me stopping here, To watch his woods fill up with snow.” seem to represent, perhaps, a close relative, who may have passed away. Is it  possible that Robert Frost’s family member, relative or friend had passed away and he was expressing his deep tragedy through this metaphor?

In the second and third stanzas, the poet writes,

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.

These stanzas really bring out the poets beautiful descriptive style. His words paint a picture in my mind of a dark and almost gloomy atmosphere. A dark beauty comes through but the poet’s reference to the darkest evening of the year, makes the night seem most daunting, tragic evening of the year.

My favourite, though, is the last stanza, where the poet writes,

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.

As I read these lines, I feel the resoluteness coming through: when people pull themselves away from the darkness and back into the light. Sadly, though, I found another meaning in the innocent word, ‘sleep’. The first time he states: And miles to go before I sleep, I feel that he may be referring to how long he actually has till he reaches his destination. However, the second time he states this, I feel that he may be referring to how long he has before he too gives into death or if indeed, he is having an illness, he’s almost reassuring himself that everything will be alright and he will live and die peacefully. The beauty of this stanza is that there are so many different ways to interpret it. Other than my explanation above, for example, it could be that the poet wanted to remind us that we need to stop once a while in our busy lives, to embrace the beauty and nature all around us, but then continue with our duties and priorities. It could, on the other hand, also just be a literal meaning, where the poet is just taking a break from the real world for some inspiration, symbolizing the burden he feels to live in the real world.

Overall, this poem is definitely a poem that makes you think. Literally ‘stop’ and think. To me this is a great example of the miracles of literature and has been ‘Stopping’ people in their own metaphorical ‘Woods’ to think about it!

Book Report: Red Butterfly

I wanted to start this post differently because this book really inspire me to write as well. The words below are words from my imagination, though it fits the situation and emotion in the book.

 The old Jane Eyre book set. It was the only valuable possession I had left. “What if I lose you?” Were the last words. Mama was gone, way past me. I was in China, and she in Montana. Hope sparked from her uneven stack of letters, increasing day by day. I was to go to America, too.

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This book is called, ‘RED BUTTERFLY’, written by A.L Sonnichsen. Surprisingly, this is her first and only book written. I say surprisingly because this book is such a lovely, heartfelt and emotional book. It is, actually, one of the only books that has made me cry. I remember when I first picked out this book: I read the blurb and knew it was a tragic story. But, I had no idea that it would make me cry two or three times during the reading experience. It seemed like a book that demanded to be read and given proper respect and recognition to, as it’s strong title would suggest. I already had that feeling in mind when I first flipped through the book. How marvellous!

Red Butterfly is about a very troubled, adopted girl named Kara.  A Chinese Visa, a hidden child and a concealed life gone wrong is what this book is about. As an infant, Kara was abandoned then taken in by a kind lady. However, Mama didn’t adopt Kara immediately as she was hiding. Hiding from the authorities. But, the concealed truth couldn’t hide for long. Soon, when Mama’s real daughter comes to visit China and falls severely ill, the authorities discover their secret and send Mama back to Montana. Solitary Kara is stuck in the middle of all this, and is then taken care of by the police and nurses. Though Mama fights to get Kara back, another family (the Gurnsey family) adopts her. They are considerate, and were ready to lose Kara to Mama, but won instead. Kara, her heart shattered, struggles to adapt to her new life. Will she adapt? Or will her hope, belief and liveliness deplete?

I love this book for all its deep emotion and detailed descriptions of the character’s situation. This whole masterpiece was written in a lyrical verse and I was overcome with emotion and understanding. I found this intriguing as until then I had the notion that poems being short and brief, don’t always have the same effect as prose does! Instead, this is so powerful, bringing to life as a melody, how an innocent, perplexed girl is stuck in the middle of extreme crisis, unable to reach the only family she has ever known. Showing how much emotion and feelings an orphan goes through. I say that A.L Sonnichsen’s unique, but lyrical style of writing is extremely touching and a total triumph!

I love the title of this book and still ponder on it: ‘Red Butterfly’. At times when she is riding her bicycle, Kara says she feels and looks like a red butterfly, especially when she goes to her old house for the last time. However, the bicycle doesn’t have much significance in this book. I actually think that it’s called, ‘Red Butterfly’, because red is the colour representing China and butterflies are beautiful yet fragile creatures. They fly very swiftly from place to place and sometimes fly great great distances from where they were born, as Kara did. At times, she mentioned that her mother seemed as weak as a butterfly, but I think the title mostly refers to her.

Overall, this book is a truly woven miracle of literacy, having it’s own wondrous way of weaving in the plot and emotions back and forth. A.L Sonnichsen is a remarkable writer. This book isn’t inappropriate in any way, and the verses are light but the purpot and emotion may be a bit mature for slightly younger readers. So, I’d say this book would be for around ages 10-13 year olds.

You can buy it here on Amazon for $4.64!

Book Report: Miss Spitfire; Reaching Helen Keller

This book is called, ‘MISS SPITFIRE’, written by Sarah Miller. It has been named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. When I first picked out this book, I didn’t realise that it was written in the perspective of Annie Sullivan, Helen Keller’s fiery teacher. Many people don't think about Annie Sullivan when they mention Helen Keller. Helen was a child prodigy, but so, indeed, was Annie. 

When Annie nervously departs to Ivy Green, Helen’s house, her story unravels very quickly. Meeting Helen proves to be a disastrous event, as Helen seems to have as much of a temper as Annie did. The two vicious ladies struggle to work together, despite Annie’s desperate and occasionally harsh attempts. It is only when Miss Spitfire (Annie) persuades Helen’s reluctant and pitiful parents to let the two be alone in another house does discipline begin to form. Annie makes Helen independant and obedient, and somehow forms an unbreakable love for the fiery Helen. I was impressed by Annie Sullivan’s desperate attempt to better Helen Keller’s plight. 

I could relate to Annie Sullivan and her temper, as I used to have one as ferocious. Helen's anger was borne simply out of frustration and the inability to express her feelings. I could also relate to Annie’s struggle to teach Helen. It opened a huge door in my mind, about empathy and understanding not only the outcome- but the struggle Annie and Helen went through to become what they were. Helen may have had an intriguing story, but Annie Sullivan shared that story, if not partially owning it.

My favourite moment in the book is the way it concludes with the famous ‘water pump’ incident where Helen’s big breakthrough happens and her life transforms. Annie tries to teach her words at the water pump, when something clicks within Helen and instead of her usual indolent and fiery disposition, she becomes eager to learn words, name objects and can’t let go of her teacher’s hand!  From then on Helen’s ability to communicate effectively & her willingness to learn unleashes her.

Sarah Miller’s delicate style of writing, just flowing on and on in great depth and emotion about the story really touched me. I think it’s remarkable to have captured and jammed together all of Annie’s feelings- from anxiety, to uncontrollable wrath and then affection. This story took place quite sometime ago, and even though Sarah Miller is writing in today's date, I still can sense that it took place in an older time period. There were also flashbacks to Annie’s childhood days, weaved into the story so gracefully that I often didn’t realise the flashbacks. 

I love that this book is called, 'Reaching Helen Keller' and not, 'Teaching Helen Keller'. It was what intrigued me when I first noticed this book. But its apt because the book is about Annie’s journey of how she got across to stubborn Helen and actually unlocked her to finally express herself freely.

Overall, I would call this an excellent, worthy and fabulous read and really recommend this book to young adult readers and middle schoolers. A must read before you finish secondary school in any case. I devoured this book with pleasure, reading until my eyes stung. If you are deciding what to read next, this is a definite go-to book. 

Book Report: Harry Potter and The Cursed Child

This book is called, ‘HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD’, written by Jack Thorne and John Tiffany. Unlike what you might expect, it’s only edited by J.K Rowling. It all begins with Harry Potter’s miserable son, Albus, struggling under a colossal family legacy he never desired. Albus and his friend, Scorpius Malfoy, go on a perilous journey back in time to save a man who was killed. His death was deemed unfair, though nothing can really halt Voldemort. Or his daughter for that matter. Can Albus, Scorpius and Harry fight against Voldemort’s manipulative daughter?

Unlike J.K Rowling’s other novels, this one has been written in playscript form. Though it is comparatively agreeable, even interesting to see a different form of writing, I very much preferred the original Harry Potter books. The playscript is fun to read, but I find the more descriptive nature of the books magical. To me, the bliss of reading is in the description. The playscript is a very light read (as I had been warned by an adult, when I first received a copy). Whereas, the actual Harry Potter books, take on much greater depth of  characters and emotions.

However, I have to give credit to John Tiffany and Jack Thorne for this book. They have miraculously weaved their own style in and out of the book, leaving utmost suspense in the air in places. We have no hint of who Delphi is, at first. She is in fact, cleverly, portrayed as ever so innocent. However, the way she reacts to everything in the book makes her shrouded in an unsolved mystery. I also admire the way that these two writers were able to co-author this book. Though a light read, the plot is still quite complex : we are thrust in and out of the different scenes, questions being raised ahead, only to be answered in many scenes later.

This book, like so many other in the Harry Potter series, contains more than one, simple genre. Any conversation about Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, will be a long conversation, I assure you. This is a book of revenge, sacrifice, mystery, love and growing up. So many varied genres bundled up in one bestseller!

Overall, I would call this a good read and really recommend this book to all ages. Yes, all ages. It’s not very often that you find books, which are recommended for middle year readers, young adults and adults, so I find it quite remarkable. I would recommend though that if you have never read any of the other books in the Harry Potter series, you should first read a few of them before you read Harry Potter And The Cursed Child. There is an assumption that you already know who the characters are, so there is little context given to the characters or the setting. In that sense, even though it is a good read, it only makes sense after you have read some of the earlier books. And if you are a confirmed Harry Potter fan, then this is a MUST read, if only to be ‘in the know’ amongst the Harry Potter Club.

You can buy the book here….