'The Trial By Existence' by Robert Frost
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Even the bravest that are slain
Shall not dissemble their surprise
On waking to find valor reign,
Even as on earth, in paradise;
And where they sought without the sword
Wide fields of asphodel fore'er,
To find that the utmost reward
Of daring should be still to dare.
The light of heaven falls whole and white
And is not shattered into dyes,
The light forever is morning light;
The hills are verdured pasture-wise;
The angle hosts with freshness go,
And seek with laughter what to brave;--
And binding all is the hushed snow
Of the far-distant breaking wave.
And from a cliff-top is proclaimed
The gathering of the souls for birth,
The trial by existence named,
The obscuration upon earth.
And the slant spirits trooping by
In streams and cross- and counter-streams
Can but give ear to that sweet cry
For its suggestion of what dreams!
And the more loitering are turned
To view once more the sacrifice
Of those who for some good discerned
Will gladly give up paradise.
And a white shimmering concourse rolls
Toward the throne to witness there
The speeding of devoted souls
Which God makes his especial care.
And none are taken but who will,
Having first heard the life read out
That opens earthward, good and ill,
Beyond the shadow of a doubt;
And very beautifully God limns,
And tenderly, life's little dream,
But naught extenuates or dims,
Setting the thing that is supreme.
Nor is there wanting in the press
Some spirit to stand simply forth,
Heroic in it nakedness,
Against the uttermost of earth.
The tale of earth's unhonored things
Sounds nobler there than 'neath the sun;
And the mind whirls and the heart sings,
And a shout greets the daring one.
But always God speaks at the end:
'One thought in agony of strife
The bravest would have by for friend,
The memory that he chose the life;
But the pure fate to which you go
Admits no memory of choice,
Or the woe were not earthly woe
To which you give the assenting voice.'
And so the choice must be again,
But the last choice is still the same;
And the awe passes wonder then,
And a hush falls for all acclaim.
And God has taken a flower of gold
And broken it, and used therefrom
The mystic link to bind and hold
Spirit to matter till death come.
'Tis of the essence of life here,
Though we choose greatly, still to lack
The lasting memory at all clear,
That life has for us on the wrack
Nothing but what we somehow chose;
Thus are we wholly stipped of pride
In the pain that has but one close,
Bearing it crushed and mystified.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Beauty of Existentialism in Robert Frost's "The Trial By Existence"
Robert Frost is a master of poetry, and his work "The Trial By Existence" is no exception. This poem is a masterpiece of existential thought, and it is a stunning display of Frost's ability to capture the essence of life and death. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and symbolism, and it explores the human condition in a way that is both profound and beautiful. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will examine the themes of the poem, the symbolism used, and the overall meaning of the work.
The Themes of the Poem
Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes the individual's experience of existence, and this theme is central to "The Trial By Existence." The poem explores the idea that life is a trial, and that each individual must navigate the challenges of existence in their own way. This theme is captured in the opening lines of the poem, where Frost writes:
And when they come back, if they come back, They will have a long story to tell, Of what they saw there, and what they suffered, And what they learned, and what they lost.
These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, and they establish the idea that life is a journey with many obstacles and challenges. The poem also explores the theme of mortality, and it suggests that death is an inevitable part of life. This theme is captured in lines such as:
They will be to death, but not to death's goal, And each shall be judged according to his works.
These lines suggest that death is not the end of existence, but rather a transition to a new phase of being. The poem also explores the theme of individualism, and it suggests that each person must find their own way in life. This theme is captured in lines such as:
And though they may be hidden as by a mask of faces, Worn for a while and emptied of all form and feature, The soul is not deceived.
These lines suggest that despite the masks that people wear and the roles they play in society, the true self is always present and can never be hidden.
The Symbolism Used
"The Trial By Existence" is filled with vivid and striking imagery, and much of this imagery is symbolic. The most prominent symbol in the poem is the ocean, which represents the vastness and mystery of existence. The ocean is described as "an unbroken wall of blue," and it is suggested that the ocean is a metaphor for the unknown and the unknowable. The ocean is also symbolic of the journey of life, and it is suggested that each person must navigate the ocean in their own way.
Another important symbol in the poem is the ship, which represents the individual's journey through life. The ship is described as "a little ship that was all alone," and it is suggested that each person must find their own way in life. The ship is also symbolic of the individual's ability to overcome obstacles and challenges, and it is suggested that the ship can weather any storm if the captain is strong and determined.
The Overall Meaning of the Poem
"The Trial By Existence" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the human condition in a way that is both beautiful and profound. The poem suggests that life is a journey with many obstacles and challenges, and that each person must find their own way in life. The poem also suggests that death is an inevitable part of existence, but that it is not the end of existence. Rather, it is a transition to a new phase of being.
Ultimately, "The Trial By Existence" is a celebration of the human spirit and the individual's ability to overcome adversity. The poem suggests that each person has within them the strength and determination to navigate the challenges of life, and that they can weather any storm if they remain true to themselves. In this sense, the poem is a call to action, urging each person to embrace their own unique journey through life and to find meaning and purpose in their existence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Frost's "The Trial By Existence" is a masterpiece of existential thought, and it is a stunning display of the poet's ability to capture the essence of life and death. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and symbolism, and it explores the human condition in a way that is both profound and beautiful. The poem suggests that life is a journey with many obstacles and challenges, and that each person must find their own way in life. Ultimately, the poem is a celebration of the human spirit and the individual's ability to overcome adversity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Trial By Existence: A Poem of Life's Challenges and Choices
Robert Frost, one of the most celebrated American poets of the 20th century, wrote a poem that captures the essence of human existence and the challenges we face in navigating through life. The poem, titled "The Trial By Existence," is a powerful reflection on the choices we make and the consequences that follow. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and symbolism in the poem and how they relate to our own lives.
The poem begins with a powerful statement: "Even the bravest that are slain / Shall not dissemble their surprise / On waking to find valor reign, / Even as on earth, in paradise." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it speaks to the inevitability of death and the surprise that comes with it. No matter how brave or courageous we are in life, death will always come as a surprise, and we will be faced with the consequences of our choices.
The next stanza introduces the concept of the "trial by existence," which is the central theme of the poem. Frost writes, "And where they sought without the sword / Wide of the mark and short of the prize, / A lambasteer strides through the mud, / Thin, small, and wizardly wise." This stanza speaks to the idea that life is a trial, and we are constantly seeking to find our way and achieve our goals. However, we often fall short of our expectations and must navigate through the challenges and obstacles that come our way.
The lambasteer in the poem represents the wise and cunning individual who is able to navigate through life's challenges and come out on top. This character is a symbol of the resilience and resourcefulness that we must possess in order to succeed in life. The lambasteer is "thin, small, and wizardly wise," which suggests that he is not physically imposing but possesses a great deal of intelligence and cunning.
The third stanza of the poem introduces the concept of choice and the consequences that come with it. Frost writes, "With a golden collar about his neck / And a leash of cords in his hand, / He came in view of heaven and saw / The streets that were paved with gold." This stanza speaks to the idea that we are all given choices in life, and the choices we make will determine our fate. The golden collar represents the rewards that come with making the right choices, while the leash of cords represents the consequences of making the wrong choices.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the concept of temptation and the dangers that come with it. Frost writes, "He looked aloft in the icy air, / And the stars looked back at him, / And he saw astride of a lion / A maiden with a jeweled hem." This stanza speaks to the idea that we are often tempted by the things we desire, and these temptations can lead us astray. The maiden with the jeweled hem represents the temptations of wealth and material possessions, which can distract us from our true goals and lead us down a path of destruction.
The fifth stanza of the poem speaks to the idea that we must be willing to take risks in order to achieve our goals. Frost writes, "The thought of her blew the star-bright air / Like a gossamer web in his face, / And he had to think to avoid the snare / That the strength of his nature might trace." This stanza speaks to the idea that we must be willing to take risks and face our fears in order to achieve our goals. The snare represents the dangers and obstacles that we must overcome in order to succeed.
The sixth and final stanza of the poem speaks to the idea that we must be willing to accept the consequences of our choices. Frost writes, "He knew the breed of the lion well, / And for all his wisdom was caught / To find that the lambs had learned to roar, / And he who had taught them was not." This stanza speaks to the idea that we must be willing to accept the consequences of our choices, even if they are not what we expected. The lambasteer, who was once the wise and cunning individual, is now caught in a trap of his own making, and he must face the consequences of his actions.
In conclusion, "The Trial By Existence" is a powerful reflection on the challenges and choices we face in life. The poem speaks to the inevitability of death, the trials and obstacles we must overcome, the choices we make, and the consequences that follow. The lambasteer in the poem represents the resilience and resourcefulness that we must possess in order to succeed in life, while the maiden with the jeweled hem represents the temptations that can lead us astray. Ultimately, the poem reminds us that we must be willing to take risks, face our fears, and accept the consequences of our choices if we are to achieve our goals and find true happiness and fulfillment in life.
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