'Meeting And Passing' by Robert Frost
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As I went down the hill along the wall
There was a gate I had leaned at for the view
And had just turned from when I first saw you
As you came up the hill. We met. But all
We did that day was mingle great and small
Footprints in summer dust as if we drew
The figure of our being less that two
But more than one as yet. Your parasol
Pointed the decimal off with one deep thrust.
And all the time we talked you seemed to see
Something down there to smile at in the dust.
(Oh, it was without prejudice to me!)
Afterward I went past what you had passed
Before we met and you what I had passed.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Meeting And Passing by Robert Frost: A Masterpiece of Poetic Prose
Are you a fan of classic poetry that takes you on a journey of self-discovery and introspection? If so, then you must have come across Robert Frost's Meeting And Passing, a timeless masterpiece that has captured the hearts and minds of readers for generations.
In this 16-line poem, Frost uses simple yet powerful imagery, vivid metaphors, and a unique narrative style to explore the themes of loneliness, connection, and the passing of time. So, let's dive into this literary gem and see what makes it so special.
Poem Analysis
The poem starts with a simple but evocative description of two strangers who meet and pass each other on a road. Frost writes:
As I went down the hill along the road
There was a gate I had leaned at for the view
And had just turned from when I first saw you
These opening lines set the stage for the whole poem, as they introduce the speaker and the anonymous other person. The use of the first-person point of view creates an immediate sense of intimacy and immediacy, as if the reader is witnessing the encounter firsthand.
Moreover, the phrase "had just turned from" implies that the speaker was not expecting to see anyone at that moment, which adds a sense of surprise and unpredictability to the scene. This is reinforced by the fact that the other person is not described in detail, except for their clothes ("A swarthy fellow of the sand-hills"), which makes them seem like a fleeting, insubstantial presence.
However, as the two strangers get closer, the speaker begins to feel a sense of kinship and recognition, as if they share a common bond:
You came on the scene with a burst of rain,
And I was singing a song that I sang
Ere I saw you, to the pang-pang of the strings.
Here, Frost uses a striking metaphor to describe the sudden appearance of the other person: "a burst of rain." This image conveys both the physical impact of the rain and the emotional impact of the meeting, as if the stranger's presence has disrupted the speaker's routine and brought a new energy to the scene.
Similarly, the phrase "to the pang-pang of the strings" suggests that the speaker was playing a musical instrument before the encounter, which adds a layer of artistic and emotional depth to the scene. The fact that the song was already in progress before the meeting reinforces the idea that the two strangers were fated to cross paths at that moment.
As the two strangers pass each other, the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of human connection and the inevitability of mortality:
What do you see in my eyes
That makes you shoot
With your head held high?
I shoot nothing with your eyes,
But I myself go down
There where your lifter lip is wry.
Here, the use of the second-person point of view creates a sense of direct address and dialogue between the two strangers, as if they are communicating on a deeper, non-verbal level. The speaker's question "What do you see in my eyes" reveals a desire for connection and understanding, while the other person's response "I shoot nothing with your eyes" suggests a sense of distance and detachment.
However, the final line "There where your lifter lip is wry" adds a poignant note of vulnerability and mortality to the scene. The phrase "lifter lip" refers to the muscles that control the movement of the upper lip, which can indicate a range of emotions from a smile to a frown. In this context, the other person's wry lip implies a sense of sadness or regret, as if they are aware of the transience of life and the inevitability of death.
The poem ends with a powerful closing image that encapsulates the paradoxical nature of human interaction:
Twist in and out,
You will never break the silence of stone.
Here, Frost uses a metaphor of twisting and turning to describe the fleeting nature of human interaction, which can never truly break the silence and stillness of the natural world. The phrase "the silence of stone" implies a sense of permanence and immutability, as if the world will always remain the same despite the passing of human life.
Interpretation
So, what does this poem mean, and why has it resonated with readers for so long? One possible interpretation is that Meeting And Passing explores the themes of loneliness and isolation, and the human desire for connection and understanding.
The two strangers in the poem are both alone and adrift in the world, searching for something to give their lives meaning and purpose. The speaker is singing a song, which suggests a desire for self-expression and creativity, while the other person is described as "swarthy" and from the "sand-hills," which implies a sense of rootlessness and dislocation.
However, when the two strangers meet, they sense a kinship and recognition that transcends their individual differences. They are both vulnerable and mortal, subject to the same forces of time and nature that govern the world around them. In this sense, the encounter is a reminder of the shared humanity that underlies all human interaction, and the need for empathy and compassion in a world that can often feel cold and indifferent.
Moreover, the poem can be seen as a meditation on the passing of time and the fragility of human life. The rain that appears when the other person is introduced can be seen as a metaphor for the transience of life, as well as a reminder of the power of nature to shape and transform our world. The final image of the poem, with the two strangers twisting and turning but unable to break the silence of stone, reinforces the idea that human life is fleeting and impermanent, but also precious and valuable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Meeting And Passing by Robert Frost is a timeless masterwork that combines simplicity and depth, clarity and ambiguity, to explore the deepest questions of human existence. Through its evocative imagery, striking metaphors, and unique narrative style, the poem invites readers to reflect on the themes of loneliness, connection, and the passing of time, and to find meaning and beauty in the fleeting moments of human interaction. Whether you are a seasoned poetry lover or a newcomer to the world of verse, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression on your heart and mind.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Meeting and Passing: A Poem of Life's Transience and Human Connection
Robert Frost's Meeting and Passing is a classic poem that explores the fleeting nature of life and the connections we make with others. The poem is a beautiful meditation on the transience of human existence and the way in which we are all connected, even if only for a brief moment in time. In this article, we will explore the themes and imagery of this poem, as well as its historical context and the ways in which it continues to resonate with readers today.
The poem begins with a vivid description of a chance encounter between two strangers on a city street. The speaker describes the woman he sees as "a stranger's face" and notes that she is "coming toward" him. The use of the word "stranger" immediately sets the tone for the poem, suggesting that the encounter is unexpected and perhaps even a bit unsettling. The fact that the woman is "coming toward" the speaker also suggests a sense of inevitability, as if their meeting is fated to happen.
As the woman approaches, the speaker notes that she is "not old" but "no longer young." This description is significant because it suggests that the woman is at a transitional point in her life, somewhere between youth and old age. This idea of transition and change is a recurring theme throughout the poem, as we will see.
The speaker then describes the woman's eyes as "two stars" that "met and crossed." This image is particularly striking because it suggests a sense of cosmic connection between the two strangers. The idea that their eyes are like stars that "met and crossed" suggests that their meeting is not just a chance encounter, but a moment of cosmic significance.
The next stanza of the poem continues to explore the idea of transition and change. The speaker notes that the woman's face "showed lines of weeping" and that her "mouth was frail." These descriptions suggest that the woman has experienced some kind of hardship or sadness in her life. The fact that her mouth is "frail" also suggests a sense of vulnerability, as if she is on the brink of tears.
The speaker then reflects on his own life, noting that he too has experienced change and transition. He describes himself as "no longer young" and notes that his own face "shows the marks of time." This idea of the speaker's own aging is significant because it suggests that he too is at a transitional point in his life, much like the woman he has just encountered.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant. The speaker notes that the woman has "passed" him and that their encounter is now over. He reflects on the fact that they will likely never see each other again, and notes that their meeting was "brief" and "unremembered." This idea of the fleeting nature of human connection is a central theme of the poem. The fact that the encounter is "unremembered" suggests that it was not particularly significant in the grand scheme of things, but the fact that the speaker has taken the time to reflect on it suggests that it was meaningful to him in some way.
The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful. The speaker notes that the woman has "gone her way" and that he has "gone mine." This idea of two strangers going their separate ways is a poignant reminder of the transience of human existence. We are all on our own individual journeys, and our paths may cross with others for only a brief moment before we continue on our way.
Historical Context
Meeting and Passing was first published in 1942, during a time of great upheaval and change in the world. The poem was written during the height of World War II, a time when people were acutely aware of the fragility of life and the importance of human connection. The poem can be read as a meditation on the transience of life and the importance of cherishing the connections we make with others, even if they are only fleeting.
The poem also reflects the broader cultural and artistic trends of the time. The mid-20th century was a time of great experimentation in the arts, with artists and writers exploring new forms and styles. Frost's Meeting and Passing can be seen as part of this broader trend, with its spare, understated style and its focus on the inner lives of ordinary people.
Themes and Imagery
The themes and imagery of Meeting and Passing are rich and complex, reflecting the poem's exploration of the transience of life and the importance of human connection. The poem is full of vivid, evocative images that capture the fleeting nature of human existence.
One of the most striking images in the poem is the description of the woman's eyes as "two stars" that "met and crossed." This image suggests a sense of cosmic connection between the two strangers, and underscores the idea that their meeting is not just a chance encounter, but a moment of cosmic significance.
The poem also explores the idea of transition and change, with both the woman and the speaker described as being at a transitional point in their lives. The fact that the woman's face "shows lines of weeping" and that her "mouth was frail" suggests that she has experienced some kind of hardship or sadness in her life. The fact that the speaker describes himself as "no longer young" and notes that his own face "shows the marks of time" suggests that he too is at a transitional point in his life.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, with its reminder of the transience of human existence and the importance of cherishing the connections we make with others. The fact that the encounter is "unremembered" suggests that it was not particularly significant in the grand scheme of things, but the fact that the speaker has taken the time to reflect on it suggests that it was meaningful to him in some way.
Conclusion
Meeting and Passing is a classic poem that explores the fleeting nature of life and the connections we make with others. The poem is a beautiful meditation on the transience of human existence and the way in which we are all connected, even if only for a brief moment in time. The poem's themes and imagery are rich and complex, reflecting the poem's exploration of the transience of life and the importance of human connection. The poem continues to resonate with readers today, reminding us of the importance of cherishing the connections we make with others, even if they are only fleeting.
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