'Bereft' by Robert Frost

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West-running Brook1928Where had I heard this wind before
Change like this to a deeper roar?
What would it take my standing there for,
Holding open a restive door,
Looking down hill to a frothy shore?
Summer was past and the day was past.
Sombre clouds in the west were massed.
Out on the porch's sagging floor,
Leaves got up in a coil and hissed,
Blindly striking at my knee and missed.
Something sinister in the tone
Told me my secret my be known:
Word I was in the house alone
Somehow must have gotten abroad,
Word I was in my life alone,
Word I had no one left but God.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Bereft: A Masterpiece of Robert Frost

Robert Frost is one of the most celebrated American poets of the twentieth century. He wrote about rural life, nature, and the human condition. His poetry is known for its simplicity and its ability to convey deep meanings through everyday language. "Bereft" is one of Frost's most powerful and haunting poems. It was written in 1920, and it speaks to the themes of loss, grief, and the struggle to find meaning in life.

Form and Structure

"Bereft" is a poem that consists of three stanzas of eight lines each. The rhyme scheme is ABABCDCD, and the meter is iambic pentameter. The poem is written in a conversational style that is typical of Frost's work. The title of the poem, "Bereft," sets the tone for the entire poem. It means to be deprived of something or someone, especially through death.

Analysis

The first stanza of the poem sets the stage for the reader. The speaker is walking through a barren landscape, and he is alone. He is mourning the loss of someone or something that was important to him. The imagery in this stanza is powerful. The landscape is described as "desolate," and the speaker is "bereft of soul and song." The use of alliteration in this line emphasizes the speaker's sense of loss. The phrase "bereft of soul and song" is also significant because it suggests that the speaker has lost not only a physical presence but also a spiritual one.

In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on the nature of grief. He says that "grief is beauty in the bud." This line is significant because it suggests that grief is a natural part of life. It is something that we all experience, and it can be beautiful in its own way. The speaker also says that he feels as though he is "buried alive." This line is powerful because it suggests that the speaker is trapped in his grief. He feels as though he cannot move on or find meaning in life.

The final stanza of the poem is the most powerful. The speaker says that he wants to "sink down to the level of the plain." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker wants to give up. He wants to let go of his grief and his struggle to find meaning in life. However, he also says that he wants to "rise again to human dignity." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is not willing to give up entirely. He still wants to find meaning in life, even if it means struggling.

Interpretation

"Bereft" is a poem that speaks to the universal experience of grief. It is a powerful reflection on the nature of loss and the struggle to find meaning in life. The poem suggests that grief is a natural part of life and that it can be beautiful in its own way. However, it also suggests that grief can be overwhelming and can leave us feeling trapped and unable to move on.

The speaker's struggle to find meaning in life is also significant. It suggests that we all struggle with the question of why we are here and what our purpose is. The speaker's desire to sink down to the level of the plain and rise again to human dignity suggests that there is a struggle between giving up entirely and continuing to strive for something more.

Overall, "Bereft" is a poem that speaks to the human experience. It is a powerful reflection on the nature of loss and the struggle to find meaning in life. It is a reminder that grief is a natural part of life and that we must all find a way to move forward, even in the face of overwhelming loss.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Bereft: A Poem of Loss and Despair

Robert Frost, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences through his poetry. His poem "Bereft" is a prime example of his mastery of the craft. This hauntingly beautiful poem explores the themes of loss, grief, and despair, and it does so with a depth and complexity that is characteristic of Frost's work.

The poem begins with a description of a landscape that is both beautiful and desolate. The speaker describes a "field of snow" that is "partly to blame" for the sense of emptiness and loss that he feels. The snow, which is usually associated with purity and innocence, is here presented as a symbol of death and decay. The speaker's use of the word "blame" suggests that he holds the snow responsible for his feelings of despair, as if it were a malevolent force that has robbed him of something precious.

As the poem progresses, the speaker's sense of loss becomes more pronounced. He describes himself as "bereft" and "desolate," words that suggest a deep and profound sense of emptiness. The repetition of the word "bereft" throughout the poem emphasizes the speaker's feeling of being completely alone and abandoned. He is not just mourning the loss of a loved one, but also the loss of something more intangible, something that he cannot quite put into words.

The speaker's sense of despair is further heightened by his use of imagery. He describes the snow as "a white piece of rigid satin cloth" that is "lying on a stone." This image is both beautiful and tragic, as it suggests the fragility and transience of life. The snow, like the speaker's emotions, is delicate and fleeting, and yet it is also cold and unyielding, like a stone. The juxtaposition of these two images creates a sense of tension and unease that is characteristic of Frost's work.

The poem's central metaphor is that of a broken bowl. The speaker describes himself as a "broken bowl" that has been "spilled out on the ground." This metaphor is both powerful and poignant, as it suggests that the speaker's sense of loss is not just emotional, but also physical. The bowl, which is usually associated with nourishment and sustenance, is here presented as a symbol of the speaker's shattered life. The fact that it has been "spilled out on the ground" suggests that the speaker's sense of loss is irreparable, that he can never hope to regain what he has lost.

The poem's final lines are perhaps its most haunting. The speaker describes himself as "a man who has been dead a long time." This image is both eerie and poignant, as it suggests that the speaker's sense of loss has consumed him to the point where he no longer feels alive. The fact that he has been dead "a long time" suggests that his grief is not a passing emotion, but a permanent state of being. The poem ends with the speaker asking the snow to cover him, to "let him lie / And sleep the sleep of the just." This final image is both tragic and beautiful, as it suggests that the speaker has given up on life and is ready to embrace death.

In conclusion, "Bereft" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the themes of loss, grief, and despair. Frost's use of imagery and metaphor creates a sense of tension and unease that is characteristic of his work. The poem's central metaphor of a broken bowl is both powerful and poignant, and it serves to underscore the speaker's sense of irreparable loss. The poem's final lines are perhaps its most haunting, as they suggest that the speaker has given up on life and is ready to embrace death. Overall, "Bereft" is a masterpiece of modern poetry, and it is a testament to Frost's ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences through his writing.

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