'The Exposed Nest' by Robert Frost
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You were forever finding some new play.
So when I saw you down on hands and knees
I the meadow, busy with the new-cut hay,
Trying, I thought, to set it up on end,
I went to show you how to make it stay,
If that was your idea, against the breeze,
And, if you asked me, even help pretend
To make it root again and grow afresh.
But 'twas no make-believe with you today,
Nor was the grass itself your real concern,
Though I found your hand full of wilted fern,
Steel-bright June-grass, and blackening heads of clovers.
'Twas a nest full of young birds on the ground
The cutter-bar had just gone champing over
(Miraculously without tasking flesh)
And left defenseless to the heat and light.
You wanted to restore them to their right
Of something interposed between their sight
And too much world at once--could means be found.
The way the nest-full every time we stirred
Stood up to us as to a mother-bird
Whose coming home has been too long deferred,
Made me ask would the mother-bird return
And care for them in such a change of scene
And might out meddling make her more afraid.
That was a thing we could not wait to learn.
We saw the risk we took in doing good,
But dared not spare to do the best we could
Though harm should come of it; so built the screen
You had begun, and gave them back their shade.
All this to prove we cared. Why is there then
No more to tell? We turned to other things.
I haven't any memory--have you?--
Of ever coming to the place again
To see if the birds lived the first night through,
And so at last to learn to use their wings.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Exposed Nest by Robert Frost: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever come across a poem that seems to speak to your soul and leave you in awe of the poet's mastery of language and imagery? That is precisely what Robert Frost's "The Exposed Nest" does. This classic poem is a masterpiece of poetic art that showcases Frost's skill in creating vivid and evocative descriptions of nature and human emotion.
Background Information
Before diving into the poem itself, it is essential to know a little about Robert Frost and his style of writing. Frost was an American poet who lived from 1874 to 1963. He is widely regarded as one of the most significant poets of the 20th century and is known for his rural and pastoral themes. His poems often contain simple language and are written in a conversational style, making them easy to understand and relate to.
"The Exposed Nest" was first published in Frost's collection "New Hampshire" in 1923. It is a relatively short poem, comprising only nine lines, but it is packed with powerful imagery and symbolism.
Poem Analysis
The poem begins with a simple statement: "You were forever finding some new play." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and gives us a glimpse into the mindset of the subject. The "you" in this line could refer to a child or a young animal, both of whom are known for their playful nature.
The next line, "So you were ours," suggests that the subject belongs to the speaker or the speaker's family. The use of the word "ours" creates a sense of ownership and responsibility, and the reader can sense the speaker's fondness for the subject.
The third line is where things start to get interesting. "And as you plaited summer flowers / And filled the arms that acted gay," describes the subject engaging in a playful activity. The use of the word "plaited" suggests that the subject is weaving or braiding flowers, which is a common pastime for children during the summer months. The phrase "filled the arms that acted gay" gives the impression that the subject is carefree and enjoying themselves.
The fourth line is a pivotal point in the poem. "We watched, and seeing, knew who you were." This line suggests that the speaker and the subject have a close relationship, and the speaker understands the subject's true nature. The use of the word "seeing" implies that the speaker has observed the subject's behavior for a long time and has come to know them intimately.
The fifth line is where the poem's metaphorical meaning begins to take shape. "Till, in the absence of all flowers, / We watched you stand apart, as though / You knew that none could play with you." This line describes the subject standing alone, as if they know that they are different from others and cannot be included in their games.
The use of the phrase "absence of all flowers" suggests that the subject has changed or grown in some way, and their playful nature has disappeared. Instead, they stand "apart" and unapproachable, as if they are aware of their uniqueness and cannot be understood by others.
The final four lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. "The girls looked wonderingly at you, / One blushed, and another, wept, / And straightway, laughing, flew to you, / And so your summer's playmates left." These lines describe the reactions of the subject's former playmates to their change in behavior.
The phrase "looked wonderingly at you" implies that the girls do not understand why the subject has changed and is standing alone. The use of the word "blushed" suggests that they are embarrassed or uncomfortable with the situation, while the word "wept" implies that they are saddened by the subject's isolation.
The phrase "laughing, flew to you" suggests that the girls are trying to break through the subject's isolation and bring them back into the group. However, the final line, "And so your summer's playmates left," implies that their efforts were in vain, and the subject remains alone.
Literary Devices
One of the most striking aspects of "The Exposed Nest" is the use of metaphorical language. The subject of the poem is not explicitly stated, but is instead implied through the use of metaphor.
The "summer flowers" that the subject plaited could be seen as a metaphor for the subject's carefree and playful nature. The absence of these flowers implies that the subject has changed or grown in some way, and their playful nature has disappeared.
The use of the metaphorical "exposed nest" in the poem's title is also significant. An exposed nest is vulnerable and unprotected, much like the subject of the poem. The subject is isolated and exposed, unable to find comfort or protection in the group of their former playmates.
The poem also contains a great deal of imagery. Frost's descriptions of the subject weaving flowers and standing alone are vivid and evocative. The use of the phrase "filled the arms that acted gay" creates a strong visual image of the subject holding a bouquet of flowers.
The final four lines of the poem contain some of the most powerful imagery. The phrase "laughing, flew to you" creates a strong visual image of the girls attempting to break through the subject's isolation.
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in "The Exposed Nest" is the theme of isolation. The subject stands alone, unable to find comfort or protection in the group of their former playmates. The poem suggests that the subject's change or growth has caused them to become isolated and exposed.
Another theme in the poem is the theme of change. The absence of the "summer flowers" implies that the subject has changed or grown in some way, and their playful nature has disappeared. This change has caused the subject to become isolated and exposed, unable to find comfort or protection in the group of their former playmates.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Exposed Nest" is a powerful and evocative poem that showcases Robert Frost's skill in creating vivid and metaphorical descriptions of nature and human emotion. The poem's use of metaphorical language and imagery is particularly striking, and the themes of isolation and change are timeless and universal.
In only nine lines, Frost has created a masterpiece of poetic art that speaks to the soul and leaves the reader with a sense of awe and wonder. "The Exposed Nest" is a classic poem that should be read and appreciated by all lovers of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Exposed Nest: A Poetic Masterpiece by Robert Frost
Robert Frost is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his ability to capture the essence of nature and human emotions in his works. Among his many masterpieces, The Exposed Nest stands out as a poignant and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of vulnerability, loss, and the cycle of life.
The Exposed Nest is a short poem consisting of only six lines, but its impact is profound. The poem begins with the image of a bird's nest, exposed to the elements and vulnerable to predators. Frost writes, "You were forever finding some new play. / So when I saw you down on hands and knees / In the meadow, busy with the new-cut hay, / Trying, I thought, to set it up on end, / I went to show you how to make it stay, / If that was your idea, against the breeze."
The first line of the poem sets the tone for what is to come. The word "forever" suggests a sense of continuity and repetition, as if the bird is always searching for something new. This idea is reinforced by the image of the bird on its hands and knees, busy with the new-cut hay. The bird is engaged in a playful activity, but it is also vulnerable, exposed to the elements and the dangers of the world.
Frost's use of imagery is particularly striking in this poem. The image of the bird's nest is a powerful symbol of vulnerability and fragility. The nest is a place of safety and security for the bird and its young, but it is also exposed to the dangers of the world. The image of the bird on its hands and knees, trying to set the nest up on end, is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the struggle to survive in a harsh and unforgiving world.
The second half of the poem takes a surprising turn. Frost writes, "But I was wrong. Oh, I was just as wrong. / Two that don't love can't live together long / But out of a hundred loves a good one's strong. / And I am two-and-seventy, and she is sixty-four." The poem shifts from the image of the bird's nest to a reflection on human relationships and the cycle of life.
The lines "Two that don't love can't live together long / But out of a hundred loves a good one's strong" are particularly powerful. Frost suggests that love is essential for a relationship to survive, but that not all loves are equal. It is only the "good" loves that are strong enough to endure the challenges of life.
The final two lines of the poem reveal the personal nature of Frost's reflection. He reveals that he is "two-and-seventy" and his partner is "sixty-four." The poem takes on a new meaning in light of this revelation. Frost is reflecting on his own life and his relationship with his partner. The poem becomes a meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of loss.
The Exposed Nest is a masterful example of Frost's ability to capture the essence of human experience in a few short lines. The poem is both universal and deeply personal, exploring themes of vulnerability, loss, and the cycle of life. Frost's use of imagery is particularly striking, as he uses the image of the bird's nest to symbolize the fragility of life and the struggle to survive in a harsh and unforgiving world.
The poem's final lines reveal the personal nature of Frost's reflection, as he reflects on his own life and his relationship with his partner. The poem becomes a meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of loss. Frost suggests that love is essential for a relationship to survive, but that not all loves are equal. It is only the "good" loves that are strong enough to endure the challenges of life.
In conclusion, The Exposed Nest is a poetic masterpiece that explores the complexities of human experience with depth and nuance. Frost's use of imagery and language is masterful, and the poem's themes of vulnerability, loss, and the cycle of life are universal and deeply resonant. The poem is a testament to Frost's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in a few short lines.
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