'In Neglect' by Robert Frost

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They leave us so to the way we took,

As two in whom them were proved mistaken,

That we sit sometimes in the wayside nook,

With michievous, vagrant, seraphic look,

And try if we cannot feel forsaken.

Editor 1 Interpretation

In Neglect: A Masterpiece by Robert Frost

Robert Frost, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his captivating and thought-provoking poems. One of his most notable works is "In Neglect," a poem that delves into the theme of human neglect and the consequences that stem from it. Frost's use of poetic devices, such as imagery, symbolism, and personification, creates a vivid picture of the neglectful attitude that humans have towards nature and its inhabitants. In this literary criticism, we will analyze the poem's underlying meaning, dissect its poetic devices, and appreciate its timeless message.

Summary of In Neglect

Before we delve into the poem's interpretation, let us first summarize the poem's plot. "In Neglect" is a short poem consisting of eight stanzas, each with two lines. The poem describes a scene of a neglected garden, where the flowers and plants have overgrown and gone wild. The garden's former owner, who once tended to it with care, has now abandoned it, leaving it to deteriorate. The speaker of the poem then goes on to reflect upon the garden's state and the consequences of its neglect, such as the animals that once called it home now gone and the beauty that once existed now lost.

Interpretation of In Neglect

The poem's title, "In Neglect," is a clear indication of its central theme. Frost uses the image of a neglected garden to illustrate the idea of human neglect towards nature. The garden, which was once full of life and beauty, has now become a desolate wasteland, a symbol of the consequences of human neglect. The poem's opening lines, "A slim volute of silver filligrain, The garden spider on a cushioned thorn," set the scene for the reader, introducing them to the abandoned garden and its inhabitants.

Frost's use of imagery paints a vivid picture of the garden's state. The "overgrown" and "wild" plants and flowers are now "shaggy" and "tangled." The once-beautiful garden has become a "littered" and "disordered" place. Frost's use of imagery is not limited to the garden's physical state but extends to its inhabitants as well. The "hollow acorn" and the "ravens" that once called the garden home are now gone, leaving behind an empty and desolate space.

Another significant poetic device that Frost employs is symbolism. The garden, which was once a symbol of life and beauty, is now a symbol of death and neglect. The "littered" and "disordered" garden is a reflection of the chaos and destruction caused by human neglect towards nature. The "hollow acorn" and the "ravens" that once resided in the garden represent the loss of life caused by this neglect. The poem's final lines, "The garden's beauty was its own excuse, Nothing was needed but the obvious," suggest that the garden's beauty was self-evident and that it did not require any explanation or justification.

Frost's use of personification is also notable. The "garden spider on a cushioned thorn" and the "desolate garden" are personified, giving them a human-like quality. By doing so, Frost emphasizes the message of human neglect and its consequences further.

Analysis of Poetic Devices

Frost's use of poetic devices in "In Neglect" is masterful. His use of imagery, symbolism, and personification creates a vivid and compelling picture of human neglect towards nature. Let us take a closer look at each of these devices.

Imagery

Frost's use of imagery is perhaps the most noticeable poetic device in "In Neglect." His vivid descriptions of the garden's physical state, such as "overgrown," "wild," "shaggy," and "tangled," create a vivid picture of the garden's neglect. The description of the "garden spider on a cushioned thorn" is particularly striking, as it creates an image of a small creature living in a hostile environment.

Symbolism

Frost's use of symbolism is also significant. The garden, which was once a symbol of life and beauty, is now a symbol of death and neglect. The "littered" and "disordered" garden is a reflection of the chaos and destruction caused by human neglect towards nature. The "hollow acorn" and the "ravens" that once resided in the garden represent the loss of life caused by this neglect.

Personification

Conclusion

In "In Neglect," Frost creates a timeless masterpiece that highlights the consequences of human neglect towards nature. His use of poetic devices, such as imagery, symbolism, and personification, creates a vivid and compelling picture of the neglectful attitude that humans have towards nature and its inhabitants. The poem's underlying message is one of immense significance, urging us to take care of our environment and the creatures that reside within it. "In Neglect" is a thought-provoking and insightful poem that deserves recognition as one of Frost's most notable works.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

In Neglect: A Poem of Desolation and Decay

Robert Frost, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his evocative and insightful portrayals of the human experience. His works often explore themes of nature, isolation, and the passage of time, and his poem "In Neglect" is no exception. This haunting and melancholic piece captures the essence of decay and abandonment, and offers a poignant commentary on the fragility of human existence.

The poem begins with a vivid description of a neglected garden, overgrown with weeds and choked with neglect. The speaker notes the absence of any human presence, and the eerie silence that pervades the scene. The garden, once a place of beauty and life, has now become a desolate wasteland, a symbol of the transience of all things.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing a sense of loss and decay that permeates the entire work. The imagery of the weeds and the "broken gate" suggests a sense of abandonment and neglect, while the "empty house" and the "silent birdhouse" reinforce the idea that this once-vibrant place has been left to wither away.

The second stanza deepens this sense of desolation, as the speaker describes the "rotted fence" and the "dead apple tree". These images evoke a sense of decay and death, as if the garden itself has become a graveyard for all that once thrived there. The "crumbling sundial" is a particularly poignant image, as it suggests the passage of time and the inevitability of decay.

The third stanza introduces a new element to the poem, as the speaker notes the presence of a "stranger" who has come to the neglected garden. This stranger, who is never identified, is described as "picking up a stone" and "throwing it at the weeds". This act of violence against the natural world is jarring, and suggests a sense of frustration or anger on the part of the stranger.

The fourth stanza offers a possible explanation for the stranger's actions, as the speaker notes that "the sun was in his eyes". This simple detail suggests that the stranger may have been blinded by the light, unable to see the beauty that still exists in the neglected garden. This interpretation is reinforced by the final lines of the poem, which suggest that the garden is not entirely lost: "The sun was in my eyes too, and I could see / Nothing but a cellar hole, a maple tree / That had been bitten by the frost into / Something not known of summer."

These lines offer a glimmer of hope amidst the desolation, suggesting that even in the midst of decay and neglect, there is still beauty to be found. The image of the maple tree, transformed by the frost into something new and unknown, suggests that even in the face of death and decay, there is still the possibility of transformation and renewal.

Overall, "In Neglect" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of decay and abandonment. Through its vivid imagery and haunting tone, it offers a poignant commentary on the fragility of human existence and the inevitability of decay. Yet even in the midst of this desolation, there is still the possibility of beauty and transformation, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope.

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