'October' by Robert Frost


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O hushed October morning mild,

Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;

Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild,

Should waste them all.

The crows above the forest call;

Tomorrow they may form and go.

O hushed October morning mild,

Begin the hours of this day slow.

Make the day seem to us less brief.

Hearts not averse to being beguiled,

Beguile us in the way you know.

Release one leaf at break of day;

At noon release another leaf;

one from our trees, one far away.

Retard the sun with gentle mist;

Enchant the land with amethyst.

Slow, slow!

For the grapes' sake, if the were all,

Whose elaves already are burnt with frost,

Whose clustered fruit must else be lost--

For the grapes' sake along the all.

Editor 1 Interpretation

October by Robert Frost: A Deep Dive into the Poet's Mind

Oh, October. The month that marks the transition from warmth to cold, from green to brown, from life to death. And who better than Robert Frost to capture the essence of this month in his poem, October?

In this 16-line poem, Frost manages to create a vivid picture of the changing season and its impact on nature and human life. But there is more to this poem than meets the eye. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbols, and language used by Frost and try to decipher the underlying messages in this seemingly simple poem.

Background and Context

Before we dive into the poem, let's briefly discuss the background and context that influenced Frost's writing. Robert Frost was a renowned American poet who lived from 1874 to 1963. He is often associated with the New England region of the United States, where he spent most of his life and drew inspiration for his poetry.

Frost was known for his use of traditional forms of poetry and his ability to convey complex ideas through simple language. He was also fascinated by nature and rural life, which are recurring themes in his poetry. October, which was published in 1913, is no exception.

The Poem

O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
Tomorrow’s wind, if it be wild,
Should waste them all.
The crows above the forest call;
Tomorrow they may form and go.
O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow.
Make the day seem to us less brief.
Hearts not averse to being beguiled,
Beguile us in the way you know.
Release one leaf at break of day;
At noon release another leaf;
One from our trees, one far away.
Retard the sun with gentle mist;
Enchant the land with amethyst.
Slow, slow!
For the grapes’ sake, if they were all,
Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,
Whose clustered fruit must else be lost—
For the grapes’ sake along the wall.

At first glance, October appears to be a simple poem about the changing season. But as we read through it, we begin to notice the subtle themes, symbols, and language used by Frost to convey a deeper message.

Themes

The primary theme of October is the transience of life and the inevitability of change. This theme is evident in the first two lines of the poem, where Frost describes the leaves as having "ripened to the fall". The use of the word "ripened" suggests that the leaves have reached their peak, but they are now beginning to wither and die.

This theme is reinforced throughout the poem, as Frost describes the leaves being scattered by the wind and the grapes being lost to the frost. The repetition of the word "release" also suggests a letting go, as if Frost is urging us to accept the changes that come with the passing of time.

Another theme that emerges in the poem is the power of nature. Frost portrays nature as both beautiful and destructive, with the crows calling above the forest and the mist enchanting the land. This theme is particularly evident in the line "retard the sun with gentle mist", where Frost personifies nature as having the ability to slow down time itself.

Finally, October can be seen as a meditation on the passing of time and the importance of living in the present moment. Frost urges us to "begin the hours of this day slow" and to allow ourselves to be "beguiled" by the beauty of the world around us. This message is particularly relevant in today's fast-paced world, where we often forget to appreciate the fleeting moments of life.

Symbols

Frost uses several symbols in October to reinforce the themes of the poem. One of the most prominent symbols is the leaves themselves. The leaves represent the transience of life and the inevitability of change, as they are constantly falling and being replaced by new growth.

The crows that call above the forest are another symbol in the poem. Crows are often associated with death and the afterlife, and their presence in the poem suggests that death is an ever-present part of life.

The grapes that Frost mentions in the final stanza are also a symbol of the transience of life. The grapes have already been affected by the frost and are in danger of being lost entirely. They represent the fleeting moments of life that we must savor before they are gone forever.

Finally, the mist that Frost mentions is a symbol of the enchantment and mystery of nature. The mist slows down time and creates a dreamlike atmosphere, suggesting that there is more to the world than what we can see or understand.

Language

Frost's use of language in October is both simple and poetic. He uses short, simple sentences to create a sense of urgency and immediacy, while also using evocative imagery to create a vivid picture of the changing season.

One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of repetition. Frost repeats the words "release" and "slow" throughout the poem, emphasizing the theme of letting go and accepting the changes that come with time. He also repeats the phrase "O hushed October morning mild" at the beginning and middle of the poem, creating a sense of continuity and rhythm.

Frost's use of rhyme and meter also contributes to the poetic quality of the poem. The rhyme scheme is ABABCDCD, with the second and sixth lines rhyming with each other. The meter is primarily iambic tetrameter, with occasional variations to create a more natural rhythm.

Interpretation

So, what is the message that Frost is trying to convey in October? At its core, the poem is a meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of change. Frost urges us to let go of the past and embrace the present moment, to be beguiled by the beauty of the world around us and to accept the changes that come with the passing of time.

But the poem also suggests that there is something mystical and enchanting about nature, something that we cannot fully understand or control. The mist that slows down time and the crows that call above the forest suggest that there are forces at work in the world that are beyond our comprehension.

In this way, October can be seen as a reminder of our own mortality and the importance of living in the present moment. It is a call to appreciate the beauty of the world around us and to let go of our attachments to the past and future.

Conclusion

In conclusion, October is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of the changing season and the transience of life. Through his use of themes, symbols, and language, Frost creates a vivid picture of the world around us and encourages us to savor the fleeting moments of life.

As we read this poem, we are reminded that life is a precious and fleeting gift, and that we must appreciate the beauty of the world around us while we still can. And perhaps, if we take Frost's message to heart, we can find a sense of peace and contentment in the midst of life's inevitable changes.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

October by Robert Frost: A Celebration of Nature's Beauty

As the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, we are reminded of the beauty of autumn. In his classic poem "October," Robert Frost captures the essence of this season, celebrating the changing colors of the trees and the bountiful harvest that comes with it. With its vivid imagery and lyrical language, "October" is a timeless ode to the wonders of nature.

The poem begins with the line "O hushed October morning mild," setting the tone for a peaceful and serene scene. The use of the word "hushed" suggests a stillness and quietness that is typical of early autumn mornings. The alliteration of "October" and "morning" creates a musical quality to the line, drawing the reader in and setting the stage for the rest of the poem.

Frost then goes on to describe the landscape, painting a picture of the changing colors of the trees. He writes, "Thy leaves have ripened to the fall; / Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild, / Should waste them all." The use of personification in "Thy leaves" gives the trees a sense of agency, as if they are actively participating in the changing of the seasons. The imagery of the leaves ripening and the wind potentially wasting them all creates a sense of urgency and impermanence, reminding us of the fleeting nature of life.

The second stanza of the poem shifts focus to the harvest season. Frost writes, "And since to look at things in bloom / Fifty springs are little room, / About the woodlands I will go / To see the cherry hung with snow." Here, Frost is reflecting on the passage of time and how quickly it seems to pass. He suggests that fifty springs, or fifty years, are not enough time to truly appreciate the beauty of nature. The image of the cherry tree hung with snow is a metaphor for the abundance of fruit that comes with the harvest season. The snow represents the white blossoms of the cherry tree, which have now given way to the ripe fruit.

In the third stanza, Frost continues to celebrate the harvest season, writing, "I'll not be gone long. You come too." This line is a call to the reader to join him in his exploration of the woodlands and the harvest. The use of the word "you" creates a sense of inclusivity and community, inviting the reader to share in the joy of the season. Frost goes on to describe the bounty of the harvest, writing, "I'm going out to fetch the little calf / That's standing by the mother. It's so young, / It totters when she licks it with her tongue." This image of the mother cow and her calf is a symbol of new life and the continuation of the cycle of nature.

The final stanza of the poem brings the focus back to the changing of the seasons. Frost writes, "This is the time of year / When almost every night / The frost has come and killed the flowers." The use of the word "killed" is a stark reminder of the harshness of nature and the inevitability of death. However, Frost also suggests that this is a necessary part of the cycle of life, as the dead flowers will eventually give way to new growth in the spring. The poem ends with the line, "And though it be / (But a witch's broom) / With all thy magic, I thee endow." This final line is a tribute to the magic of nature and the beauty of the changing seasons.

In conclusion, "October" is a celebration of the beauty of nature and the changing of the seasons. Frost's use of vivid imagery and lyrical language creates a sense of wonder and awe, inviting the reader to join him in his exploration of the woodlands and the harvest. The poem is a reminder of the impermanence of life and the importance of cherishing the beauty of the world around us. As we enter the autumn season, let us take a moment to appreciate the changing colors of the trees, the bountiful harvest, and the magic of nature that surrounds us.

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