'The Aim Was Song' by Robert Frost

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New Hampshire1923Before man to blow to right
The wind once blew itself untaught,
And did its loudest day and night
In any rough place where it caught.Man came to tell it what was wrong:
It hadn't found the place to blow;
It blew too hard -- the aim was song.
And listen -- how it ought to go!He took a little in his mouth,
And held it long enough for north
To be converted into south,
And then by measure blew it forth.By measure. It was word and note,
The wind the wind had meant to be --
A little through the lips and throat.
The aim was song -- the wind could see.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Aim Was Song: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Wow, what a beautiful poem! Robert Frost's "The Aim Was Song" is a masterpiece of lyrical poetry that explores the nature of creativity, the relationship between art and life, and the power of music to lift the human spirit. In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deep into the themes, imagery, and language of this classic work, and show how it speaks to us today as much as it did when it was first published in 1935.

Background and Context

First, a bit of background. Robert Frost was one of the most celebrated American poets of the 20th century, known for his rural themes, his use of colloquial language, and his profound insights into human nature. He wrote many poems that are still widely read and taught today, including "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," "The Road Not Taken," and "Mending Wall." Frost was born in San Francisco in 1874, and spent most of his life in New England, where he drew inspiration from the landscape, the people, and the culture of the region.

"The Aim Was Song" was published in Frost's collection A Further Range, which came out in 1936. This was a time of great upheaval in the United States, with the Great Depression in full swing and the country on the brink of entering World War II. Frost's poetry often addressed the challenges of the times, but he also had a deep appreciation for the beauty and wonder of the natural world, and the power of art to bring people together and lift their spirits.

Analysis

So, what does "The Aim Was Song" have to say about these themes? Let's take a closer look.

Structure and Form

The poem is written in free verse, with no regular meter or rhyme scheme. This gives Frost the freedom to experiment with different rhythms and sounds, and to create a musical quality that echoes the theme of the poem itself. The lines are short and choppy, with frequent pauses and enjambments that create a sense of urgency and momentum. There are also several repetitions of key phrases and images, such as "the aim was song," "the bird's bright eye," and "the earth was good to till," that give the poem a sense of coherence and unity.

Theme and Imagery

At its core, "The Aim Was Song" is a meditation on the creative process, and the ways in which art can help us to transcend our daily struggles and connect with something larger than ourselves. The poem is set in a rural landscape, where a farmer is working the fields and a bird is singing in the trees. As the poem unfolds, we see the two figures as symbolic of different approaches to life and creativity.

The farmer represents the practical, utilitarian side of human nature, the part that is concerned with survival, work, and material success. He is described as "bent" and "stooping," his hands "hardened with toil" as he tills the earth. Yet even as he works, he is aware of the beauty and wonder of the world around him, and the way that the natural rhythms of the earth and sky can be both comforting and inspiring. He hears the bird's song, and he is reminded of the power of music to lift the human spirit and connect us with the divine.

The bird, on the other hand, represents the creative, intuitive side of human nature, the part that is concerned with beauty, meaning, and transcendence. It is described as having a "bright eye" that seems to see into the heart of things, and a song that is "beyond all singing." The bird's song is like a prayer, a hymn to the mystery and majesty of life, and it invites the listener to join in and share in its joy and wonder.

Language and Tone

Frost's language in "The Aim Was Song" is deceptively simple, but it is full of rich, evocative images and sounds that bring the rural landscape to life. He uses a lot of alliteration and assonance to create a sense of musicality and rhythm, such as "beauty beyond all singing," "bent and stooping," and "hawk-hungry hill." He also makes frequent use of metaphor and symbolism, such as the bird as a symbol of creativity and the farmer as a symbol of practicality.

The tone of the poem is meditative and contemplative, with a sense of wonder and reverence for the natural world. Frost's language is full of awe and admiration for the beauty and complexity of the landscape, and for the power of music and art to uplift and inspire us. There is a sense of nostalgia and longing in the poem as well, a recognition that the beauty and wonder of the world is fleeting and fragile, and that we must appreciate it while we can.

Conclusion

So, what can we take away from "The Aim Was Song"? For me, this poem is a reminder of the power of art and creativity to help us connect with something larger than ourselves, and to find meaning and purpose in our lives. It is a celebration of the natural world, and a recognition of the beauty and wonder that surrounds us every day, if only we take the time to look and listen. And it is a call to action, urging us to embrace our creative impulses and to find ways to share our songs with others, whether through music, poetry, or any other form of artistic expression.

In today's world, where we are often consumed by the pressures of work, politics, and social media, it is easy to forget the importance of art and creativity in our lives. But Frost's poem reminds us that these are essential parts of our humanity, and that they can help us to find joy, meaning, and connection in even the darkest of times. So let us take a cue from the bird in the tree, and let our songs ring out, lifting our spirits and those of others around us. The aim is song, and the world is waiting to hear it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium of expression for human emotions and experiences. It is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, inspire, and move people. Robert Frost, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, was a master of this art. His poem, "The Aim Was Song," is a perfect example of his ability to capture the essence of human experience through poetry.

"The Aim Was Song" is a poem that explores the idea of the purpose of poetry. Frost argues that the aim of poetry is not to convey a message or to teach a lesson, but rather to create a song that captures the beauty of life. He believes that poetry should be a celebration of life, and that the poet's job is to create a song that reflects the joy and wonder of existence.

The poem begins with the lines, "Before man came to blow it right / The wind once blew itself untaught." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as they suggest that there was a time when nature was pure and unspoiled by human intervention. Frost is suggesting that poetry should be like the wind, free and untaught, and that it should capture the essence of nature in its purest form.

The next stanza of the poem continues this theme, as Frost writes, "And did its loudest day / And night in any rough place where it caught / Man's ear." Here, Frost is suggesting that the wind, like poetry, can be heard in any place, no matter how rough or inhospitable. He is arguing that poetry should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances.

The third stanza of the poem is where Frost really begins to explore the idea of the purpose of poetry. He writes, "But let me not forget to say / That the years range after range of years / Whereon our echoes die." Here, Frost is suggesting that poetry has a limited lifespan, and that it is the poet's job to create a song that will endure beyond their own lifetime. He is arguing that poetry should be timeless, and that it should capture the essence of life in a way that will resonate with future generations.

The fourth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Frost writes, "Until they at the end of time / Shall hear it. Nevermore / Will repetition bore." Here, Frost is suggesting that poetry should be so powerful and so beautiful that it will never become boring or repetitive. He is arguing that poetry should be a celebration of life that will continue to inspire and move people for generations to come.

The final stanza of the poem is a call to action, as Frost writes, "And here's the rhyme in time / That the man hears / When he walks the ground." Here, Frost is suggesting that poetry should be grounded in the reality of life, and that it should be accessible to everyone. He is arguing that poetry should be a celebration of life that is rooted in the experiences of ordinary people.

In conclusion, "The Aim Was Song" is a powerful poem that explores the purpose of poetry. Frost argues that poetry should be a celebration of life, and that the poet's job is to create a song that captures the beauty of existence. He believes that poetry should be timeless, and that it should resonate with future generations. Ultimately, Frost is arguing that poetry should be a celebration of life that is accessible to everyone, and that it should be grounded in the reality of human experience.

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