'Design' by Robert Frost
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A Further Range1936I found a dimpled spider, fat and white,
On a white heal-all, holding up a moth
Like a white piece of rigid satin cloth --
Assorted characters of death and blight
Mixed ready to begin the morning right,
Like the ingredients of a witches' broth --
A snow-drop spider, a flower like a froth,
And dead wings carried like a paper kite.What had that flower to do with being white,
The wayside blue and innocent heal-all?
What brought the kindred spider to that height,
Then steered the white moth thither in the night?
What but design of darkness to appall?--
If design govern in a thing so small.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Design" by Robert Frost
Are you a believer of fate or do you think everything happens by chance? These are the questions that Robert Frost raises in his poem "Design" published in 1936. It's a poem that has sparked many discussions among literary scholars, teachers, and readers alike. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the world of "Design" and try to unravel the mystery behind its meaning and significance.
Background
Robert Frost was an American poet born in San Francisco in 1874. He is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century and is known for his depictions of rural life in New England. He received four Pulitzer Prizes for his poetry and was a poet laureate for the United States from 1958 to 1959. Frost's work is known for its simplicity and accessibility, yet it often tackles complex themes such as human nature, existence, and morality.
"Design" was first published in 1936 in the collection A Further Range. It's a sonnet that Frost wrote during a period of deep emotional and psychological distress. His wife, Elinor, had just passed away, and he was struggling to come to terms with her loss. The poem is said to have been inspired by his observation of a white spider on a white flower one winter evening.
The Poem
Design
I found a dimpled spider, fat and white, On a white heal-all, holding up a moth Like a white piece of rigid satin cloth— Assorted characters of death and blight Mixed ready to begin the morning right, Like the ingredients of a witches’ broth— A snow-drop spider, a flower like a froth, And dead wings carried like a paper kite.
What had that flower to do with being white, The wayside blue and innocent heal-all? What brought the kindred spider to that height, Then steered the white moth thither in the night? What but design of darkness to appall?— If design govern in a thing so small.
The poem is a sonnet, which means it has 14 lines and is written in iambic pentameter. It consists of an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABBAABBA CDCDCD, which is typical of a Petrarchan sonnet.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a spider that he has found on a white flower, holding up a moth. The spider is described as "fat and white" and the moth is compared to "a white piece of rigid satin cloth." The scene is set as if the spider and the moth are characters "of death and blight" and are "mixed ready to begin the morning right." The speaker then goes on to describe the flower as "a snow-drop spider, a flower like a froth, and dead wings carried like a paper kite."
The speaker then asks a series of questions about the scene he has just described. He wonders what the flower has to do with being white, and what brought the spider and the moth to that specific spot in the night. He suggests that there must be some kind of "design of darkness" behind this strange and eerie scene, and questions whether "design govern in a thing so small."
Interpretation
The poem "Design" is often interpreted as an exploration of the meaning of life and the existence of God. The speaker questions whether there is a grand design behind the universe or whether everything is simply the result of chance. The spider, the flower, and the moth can be seen as symbols of life, death, and nature, and the speaker wonders whether there is any meaning to their existence.
The image of the spider holding up the moth can be interpreted in different ways. It can be seen as a representation of the natural cycle of life and death, where the spider is the predator and the moth is the prey. Alternatively, it can be seen as a symbol of the randomness of life, where the spider and the moth just happened to cross paths by chance.
The speaker's questions about the flower and the spider's presence on it can be seen as a questioning of the purpose of life. Why does this flower exist, and why did the spider choose it as a place to hold up the moth? Is there a purpose behind their existence, or are they simply there by chance?
The final question, "If design govern in a thing so small," is perhaps the most significant in the poem. It raises the question of whether there is a grand plan behind everything, even the smallest things, or whether everything is simply the result of chance. The speaker seems to suggest that if there is a design behind something as small and insignificant as a spider and a moth on a flower, then there must be a design behind everything in the universe.
Literary Techniques
Robert Frost uses several literary techniques in "Design" to convey his message. The repetition of the word "white" throughout the poem creates a sense of purity and innocence, which contrasts with the dark and eerie nature of the scene. The use of alliteration, such as "snow-drop spider" and "paper kite," creates a musical quality to the poem and emphasizes the strangeness of the scene.
The poem also uses enjambment, where lines flow into each other without punctuation, to create a sense of momentum and urgency. This is particularly evident in lines 5-7, where the speaker describes the ingredients of a witches' broth. The use of dashes and hyphens throughout the poem creates a fragmented and disjointed effect, which adds to the sense of unease and uncertainty.
Conclusion
"Design" is a haunting and thought-provoking poem that raises questions about the meaning of life and the existence of God. Robert Frost's use of imagery and literary techniques creates a sense of unease and uncertainty, which is compounded by the speaker's questioning of the purpose of life. The poem can be interpreted in different ways, but its message is ultimately one of questioning and uncertainty. It is a testament to Frost's skill as a poet that "Design" continues to captivate and intrigue readers nearly a century after its publication. So, what do you think? Is there a grand design behind everything, or is it all simply the result of chance?
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Robert Frost's "Design" is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed by scholars and poetry enthusiasts alike for decades. The poem is a complex and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of nature, fate, and the existence of evil in the world. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's structure, language, and imagery to uncover its deeper meanings and messages.
The poem is structured in a unique way, with two distinct parts that are separated by a shift in tone and perspective. The first part of the poem describes a scene in nature, where the speaker comes across a spider on a flower. The spider is holding a moth in its web, and the speaker muses on the significance of this encounter. The second part of the poem shifts to a more philosophical and abstract tone, as the speaker contemplates the existence of evil in the world and the role of fate in human life.
The language of the poem is simple and straightforward, but it is also rich in symbolism and metaphor. Frost uses vivid imagery to create a sense of unease and foreboding in the reader. For example, the spider is described as "fat and white" and "dimpled and sinister," which creates a sense of discomfort and fear. The moth is described as "snowy" and "dead wings carried like a paper kite," which adds to the sense of death and decay in the scene.
The poem's title, "Design," is also significant. It suggests that there is a purpose or plan behind the events that the speaker observes. However, the poem ultimately raises more questions than it answers. Is the spider's capture of the moth a random act of nature, or is it part of a larger plan? Is there a purpose behind the existence of evil in the world, or is it simply a result of chance and circumstance?
The poem's themes of nature and fate are also explored in depth. The spider and the moth are both creatures of nature, and their encounter is a reminder of the harsh realities of the natural world. The spider's web is a symbol of fate, representing the forces that shape our lives and determine our destinies. The speaker's contemplation of the spider's actions raises questions about the role of fate in human life. Is our fate predetermined, or do we have the power to shape our own destiny?
The poem's exploration of the existence of evil is perhaps its most profound and thought-provoking theme. The spider's capture of the moth is a reminder of the violence and cruelty that exists in the natural world. The speaker's contemplation of this event raises questions about the nature of evil and its place in the world. Is evil a force that exists outside of human control, or is it a result of human actions and choices? Is there a purpose behind the existence of evil, or is it simply a random and meaningless occurrence?
In conclusion, Robert Frost's "Design" is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of nature, fate, and the existence of evil in the world. The poem's structure, language, and imagery all contribute to its powerful message and its ability to provoke deep thought and contemplation in the reader. Whether you are a seasoned poetry enthusiast or a casual reader, "Design" is a poem that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
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