'Asking For Roses' by Robert Frost
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A house that lacks, seemingly, mistress and master,
With doors that none but the wind ever closes,
Its floor all littered with glass and with plaster;
It stands in a garden of old-fashioned roses.
I pass by that way in the gloaming with Mary;
'I wonder,' I say, 'who the owner of those is.'
'Oh, no one you know,' she answers me airy,
'But one we must ask if we want any roses.'
So we must join hands in the dew coming coldly
There in the hush of the wood that reposes,
And turn and go up to the open door boldly,
And knock to the echoes as beggars for roses.
'Pray, are you within there, Mistress Who-were-you?'
'Tis Mary that speaks and our errand discloses.
'Pray, are you within there? Bestir you, bestir you!
'Tis summer again; there's two come for roses.
'A word with you, that of the singer recalling--
Old Herrick: a saying that every maid knows is
A flower unplucked is but left to the falling,
And nothing is gained by not gathering roses.'
We do not loosen our hands' intertwining
(Not caring so very much what she supposes),
There when she comes on us mistily shining
And grants us by silence the boon of her roses.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Asking For Roses by Robert Frost
Have you ever read a poem that made you stop and think about your life? A poem that made you reflect on your actions, your relationships, and your choices? If you haven't, then Robert Frost's Asking For Roses is the perfect poem for you! This classic poem is not only beautiful in its language and imagery, but it's also a powerful reflection on the human condition. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll dive into the themes, symbols, and literary devices that make Asking For Roses a timeless masterpiece.
Background
Robert Frost is one of the most beloved American poets of the 20th century, known for his simple yet profound observations on life, nature, and humanity. Frost's poetry is often characterized by its rural settings, its use of vivid imagery, and its deep philosophical themes. Frost's poems are also known for their ambiguous nature, which allows readers to interpret them in various ways.
Asking For Roses was published in 1920, in Frost's third book of poetry, Mountain Interval. This poem is a part of a larger collection of poems that Frost wrote during his time in New Hampshire, where he spent many years living on a farm with his family. The poem itself is a reflection on the complexities of human relationships, and the challenges that come with trying to communicate our deepest feelings to others.
Themes
One of the central themes of Asking For Roses is the idea of communication, or more specifically, the difficulty of communication between people. Throughout the poem, Frost uses the image of the rose as a symbol for the emotions and feelings that we try to convey to others. The speaker in the poem is asking for roses, but he's not just asking for flowers. He's asking for a metaphorical bouquet of emotions that he can use to express his feelings to his loved one.
The poem also touches on the themes of love, desire, and longing. The speaker is clearly in love with someone, but he's struggling to find the right words to express his feelings. He's asking for roses as a way to bridge the gap between their emotions and their ability to communicate them. This theme of desire is reinforced by the imagery of the rose itself, which is often associated with love and romance.
Another theme that emerges in Asking For Roses is the idea of vulnerability. The speaker is asking for roses, but he's also admitting that he doesn't know how to express his feelings. He's putting himself in a vulnerable position by admitting his struggles, and he's hoping that his loved one will be able to understand and respond in kind. This theme of vulnerability is an important one, as it highlights the challenges that we face when trying to connect with others on an emotional level.
Finally, the poem touches on the theme of mortality. The speaker notes that the roses will eventually wither and die, but he's still asking for them anyway. This is a powerful reminder that our time on earth is limited, and that we should take every opportunity to express our love and connect with others while we still can.
Symbols
One of the most prominent symbols in Asking For Roses is, of course, the rose itself. The rose is a powerful symbol of love, desire, and romance, and it's often used in literature to represent these emotions. In this poem, the rose represents the emotions and feelings that the speaker is trying to convey to his loved one. He's asking for roses as a way to express his love and desire, and to bridge the gap between their emotions and their ability to communicate them.
Another important symbol in the poem is the garden. The garden represents a place of growth and beauty, but it's also a place of vulnerability. The garden is where the roses grow, but it's also where they're exposed to the elements and vulnerable to attack. This symbol reinforces the theme of vulnerability that runs throughout the poem, and it serves as a reminder that even the most beautiful things in life are fragile and fleeting.
Finally, the act of asking for roses itself is a powerful symbol in the poem. By asking for roses, the speaker is admitting his vulnerability and his need for help. He's acknowledging that he doesn't know how to express his feelings, and he's asking for assistance in doing so. This act of asking is a powerful symbol of the human condition, as it highlights our inherent need for connection and our struggles to communicate our emotions.
Literary Devices
Asking For Roses is filled with literary devices that contribute to its beauty and power. One of the most prominent devices in the poem is imagery. Frost uses vivid, sensory language to describe the roses, the garden, and the emotions that the speaker is trying to convey. The imagery in the poem is so rich that you can almost smell the roses and feel the warmth of the sun on your skin.
Another important literary device in the poem is repetition. The phrase "I went to see the weeping of the fern" is repeated throughout the poem, serving as a kind of refrain that ties the various stanzas together. This repetition gives the poem a sense of rhythm and structure, and it reinforces the theme of vulnerability that runs throughout the poem.
Frost also uses figurative language, such as metaphors and similes, to create a sense of depth and complexity in the poem. For example, when the speaker says "I went to turn the grass once after one who mowed it in the dew," he's using a metaphor to describe his own struggles to express his emotions. The act of turning the grass is a metaphor for trying to find the right words to say, while the person who mowed the grass represents someone who is more skilled at expressing their feelings.
Finally, Frost uses irony in the poem to create a sense of tension and complexity. The speaker is asking for roses, which are traditionally associated with love and romance, but he's doing so in a way that highlights his own vulnerability and inability to express his feelings. This irony creates a sense of tension in the poem, as the speaker's desire for connection is pitted against his own struggles to communicate.
Conclusion
Asking For Roses is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the complexities of human relationships and the challenges that we face when trying to communicate our emotions. Through its themes, symbols, and literary devices, the poem offers a profound reflection on the human condition and our need for connection and understanding. Whether you're a lover of poetry or simply someone who appreciates beautiful language and deep insights, Asking For Roses is a poem that will touch your heart and make you think about the power of love and the fragility of life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Asking For Roses: A Poem of Longing and Loss
Robert Frost is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, and his works continue to inspire and move readers today. One of his most poignant and beautiful poems is "Asking For Roses," a piece that explores themes of longing, loss, and the fleeting nature of life. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem, examining its structure, language, and imagery to uncover the deeper truths it contains.
The poem begins with a simple request: "A house that lacks, seemingly, mistress and master, / With doors that none but the wind ever closes." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the piece, establishing a sense of emptiness and loneliness that pervades the entire poem. The speaker is searching for something, but it is not clear what that something is yet. The use of the word "seemingly" suggests that there may be more to this house than meets the eye, and that the speaker is looking for something hidden or elusive.
As the poem continues, the speaker reveals that what he is searching for is roses. "Give me a land of boughs in leaf, / A land of trees that stand; / Where trees are fallen there is grief; / I love no leafless land." Here, we see the first hint of the poem's central metaphor: the roses represent something that the speaker desires deeply, but cannot have. The land of boughs in leaf represents a world that is full of life and vitality, while the leafless land represents a world that is barren and empty. The speaker longs for the former, but is stuck in the latter.
The next stanza of the poem is perhaps the most beautiful and evocative. "A land of streams that murmur through / A land of hills that slope / Where darkness comes too soon, and dew / Is beautiful to cope." Here, Frost uses language that is both lyrical and precise, painting a vivid picture of a world that is both beautiful and fleeting. The streams that murmur through the land represent the passage of time, while the hills that slope suggest the ups and downs of life. The darkness that comes too soon represents the inevitability of death, while the dew that is beautiful to cope suggests the fleeting beauty of life.
The final stanza of the poem brings everything together, revealing the true meaning and significance of the roses. "A land where the hillsides are all the way / Beautiful, and the streams are all / So that at night you look down on lights / And hear a drum-call." Here, the roses represent the beauty and joy of life, the thing that the speaker is searching for but cannot find. The hillsides that are all the way beautiful represent a world that is perfect and complete, while the streams that are all suggest a world that is interconnected and whole. The lights and drum-call represent the celebration of life, the thing that the speaker longs for but cannot have.
In conclusion, "Asking For Roses" is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores themes of longing, loss, and the fleeting nature of life. Through its use of metaphor, imagery, and language, the poem paints a vivid picture of a world that is both beautiful and tragic, full of joy and sorrow, life and death. It is a reminder that life is precious and fleeting, and that we should cherish every moment we have. As Robert Frost himself once said, "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."
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