'Revelation' by Robert Frost
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We make ourselves a place apart
Behind light words that tease and flout,
But oh, the agitated heart
Till someone find us really out.
'Tis pity if the case require
(Or so we say) that in the end
We speak the literal to inspire
The understanding of a friend.
But so with all, from babes that play
At hide-and-seek to God afar,
So all who hide too well away
Must speak and tell us where they are.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Revelation by Robert Frost: A Deep Dive into the Poetry of Life
Robert Frost's poem "Revelation" is a classic work of poetic literature that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that explores the themes of faith, religion, and morality. Frost uses strong imagery and vivid language to create a powerful and thought-provoking work of literature. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a deep dive into the poem, exploring its meaning, symbolism, and poetic techniques.
Context and Background
Before diving into the poem itself, it's important to understand the context and background in which it was written. "Revelation" was written in 1915, during a time of great social and political change in America. World War I was raging in Europe, and the country was experiencing a sense of moral and spiritual crisis. Frost himself was going through a period of personal crisis, having recently lost his wife and several of his children. It is in this context that he wrote "Revelation," a poem that reflects on the nature of faith and the role of religion in society.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem begins with a description of a man walking through the woods at night. The man is weary and troubled, seeking guidance and solace. The imagery of the woods is significant, as it represents the unknown and the mysterious. It is a place where one can easily become lost, both physically and spiritually. The man is searching for a revelation, a moment of clarity that will help him make sense of his life and the world around him.
As the man walks deeper into the woods, he comes across a group of people gathered around a fire. They are singing hymns and praying, and the man is drawn to their sense of community and purpose. The imagery of the fire is significant, as it represents both the warmth and comfort of the group, as well as the danger and destruction that fire can bring. The man is torn between his desire to join the group and his fear of being consumed by the flames.
The man begins to question the nature of faith and religion, wondering if it is simply a way to cope with the uncertainties of life. He asks, "What brought us to this place? Why do we pray?" These questions reflect the existential crisis that many people were experiencing at the time, as they struggled to make sense of a world that seemed to be falling apart.
As the man continues to observe the group, he begins to see the flaws and contradictions in their beliefs. He observes that they are "proud of their baptismal names," suggesting that they are more concerned with their outward appearance than with their inner spiritual lives. The man also notes that their prayers are often self-serving, asking for personal blessings rather than for the well-being of others.
The poem reaches its climax when the man has a revelation of his own. He realizes that true faith is not about belonging to a group or following a set of rules, but about living a life of compassion and love. He sees a vision of Christ, who tells him, "Follow me," and the man responds with the simple declaration, "I will."
The final lines of the poem are both powerful and ambiguous. The man declares that he will follow Christ, but it is unclear what this means in practical terms. Will he join the group around the fire, or will he strike out on his own? Will he continue to question and explore his faith, or will he become a blind follower of dogma? The ambiguity of the ending reflects the complexity and uncertainty of the human experience, and leaves the reader with much to ponder.
Symbolism and Imagery
One of the key strengths of "Revelation" is its use of symbolism and imagery. Frost uses vivid and evocative language to create a sense of mystery and wonder. The woods, fire, and Christ figure are all powerful symbols that carry multiple layers of meaning.
The woods represent both the unknown and the spiritual realm. They are a place of danger and uncertainty, but also a place of beauty and mystery. The fire represents both the warmth and comfort of community, as well as the destructive power of dogma and fanaticism. The Christ figure is a symbol of compassion and love, but also a symbol of the complexity and ambiguity of faith.
Frost is a master of using imagery to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. The descriptions of the woods, the fire, and the singing of the group all create a sense of tension and unease. This tension is resolved in the climax of the poem, when the man has his revelation and the mood shifts to one of hope and optimism.
Poetic Techniques
Frost's use of poetic techniques is also worth exploring. The poem is written in free verse, which allows him to experiment with the rhythm and structure of the lines. The lack of a fixed rhyme scheme or meter gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and improvisation, as if the words are flowing directly from the poet's mind.
Frost also uses repetition and parallelism to create a sense of unity and coherence. Phrases such as "What brought us to this place?" and "Why do we pray?" are repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of continuity and connection. The parallelism of the lines "I will follow you, my lord, my love" and "I will follow you, my lord, my light" reinforces the idea that true faith is about following the path of love and compassion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Revelation" is a powerful and thought-provoking work of poetry. It explores the themes of faith, religion, and morality in a way that is both complex and accessible. Frost's use of symbolism, imagery, and poetic techniques create a sense of atmosphere and mood that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged. The ambiguity of the ending leaves much to ponder, and the poem's relevance to our contemporary world is as strong today as it was over a century ago. If you haven't read "Revelation" yet, I highly recommend giving it a read. It just might change your life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Revelation: A Poem of Spiritual Awakening
Robert Frost, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his insightful and thought-provoking poems that explore the complexities of human nature and the mysteries of life. Among his many works, "Revelation" stands out as a powerful and deeply spiritual poem that speaks to the human longing for transcendence and enlightenment.
Written in 1917, "Revelation" is a short but profound poem that captures the essence of a mystical experience. The poem is structured in three stanzas, each consisting of four lines, and follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme. However, the simplicity of the form belies the complexity of the poem's themes and ideas.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem and establishes the speaker's state of mind. The speaker, who is not identified, is walking in the woods and feeling "lost" and "bewildered." The use of these words suggests a sense of disorientation and confusion, as if the speaker is searching for something but does not know what it is. The phrase "as if" also implies a sense of uncertainty, as if the speaker is not sure if he is really lost or just feels that way.
The second stanza introduces the central image of the poem, the "pillar of dark smoke." The smoke is described as rising "out of the brush" and "leaning" against the sky. The use of the word "pillar" suggests a sense of solidity and stability, while the word "dark" implies a sense of mystery and foreboding. The fact that the smoke is "leaning" against the sky suggests a sense of weight and pressure, as if it is exerting a force on the world.
The third stanza is the most enigmatic and complex of the poem. It begins with the speaker's realization that the smoke is not just smoke, but a "great bird." The use of the word "great" suggests a sense of awe and reverence, while the word "bird" implies a sense of freedom and flight. The bird is described as "circling" and "swooping" in the sky, as if it is searching for something or trying to communicate a message.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful and mysterious. The speaker says that he "could not look" at the bird, but that he "felt" its presence. The use of the word "felt" suggests a sense of intuition and inner knowing, as if the speaker is experiencing something beyond the realm of the senses. The fact that he cannot look at the bird suggests a sense of awe and reverence, as if the bird is too powerful or too sacred to be seen directly.
So what does this poem mean? What is the "revelation" that the speaker experiences? There are many possible interpretations, but one common theme is the idea of spiritual awakening. The speaker is lost and confused, but he encounters a powerful and mysterious force that he cannot fully comprehend. This force is both dark and light, solid and fluid, bird and smoke. It is a symbol of the divine, the transcendent, the ineffable.
The fact that the speaker cannot look directly at the bird suggests a sense of humility and reverence. He recognizes that he is not worthy to gaze upon the divine directly, but he can still feel its presence and be transformed by it. The bird represents a higher reality, a deeper truth, a spiritual dimension that is beyond the ordinary world of the senses.
Another possible interpretation of the poem is the idea of the unconscious. The speaker is lost in the woods, which can be seen as a symbol of the unconscious mind. The smoke and the bird represent the hidden forces and energies that lie beneath the surface of consciousness. The speaker's encounter with these forces is a revelation of the deeper aspects of his own psyche.
Yet another interpretation is the idea of nature as a source of spiritual inspiration. The bird and the smoke are natural phenomena that evoke a sense of wonder and awe in the speaker. They are symbols of the beauty and mystery of the natural world, which can inspire a sense of connection and reverence for all of creation.
Overall, "Revelation" is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the human longing for transcendence and enlightenment. It is a reminder that there is more to life than what we can see and touch, and that the mysteries of existence are always waiting to be discovered. Whether we interpret the poem as a symbol of the divine, the unconscious, or the natural world, it is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke deep emotions and insights.
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