'Blueberries' by Robert Lee Frost

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"You ought to have seen what I saw on my way
To the village, through Mortenson's pasture to-day:
Blueberries as big as the end of your thumb,
Real sky-blue, and heavy, and ready to drum
In the cavernous pail of the first one to come!
And all ripe together, not some of them green
And some of them ripe! You ought to have seen!"
"I don't know what part of the pasture you mean."
"You know where they cut off the woods--let me see--
It was two years ago--or no!--can it be
No longer than that?--and the following fall
The fire ran and burned it all up but the wall."
"Why, there hasn't been time for the bushes to grow.
That's always the way with the blueberries, though:
There may not have been the ghost of a sign
Of them anywhere under the shade of the pine,
But get the pine out of the way, you may burn
The pasture all over until not a fern
Or grass-blade is left, not to mention a stick,
And presto, they're up all around you as thick
And hard to explain as a conjuror's trick."
"It must be on charcoal they fatten their fruit.
I taste in them sometimes the flavour of soot.
And after all really they're ebony skinned:
The blue's but a mist from the breath of the wind,
A tarnish that goes at a touch of the hand,
And less than the tan with which pickers are tanned."
"Does Mortenson know what he has, do you think?"
"He may and not care and so leave the chewink
To gather them for him--you know what he is.
He won't make the fact that they're rightfully his
An excuse for keeping us other folk out."
"I wonder you didn't see Loren about."
"The best of it was that I did. Do you know,
I was just getting through what the field had to show
And over the wall and into the road,
When who should come by, with a democrat-load
Of all the young chattering Lorens alive,
But Loren, the fatherly, out for a drive."
"He saw you, then? What did he do? Did he frown?"
"He just kept nodding his head up and down.
You know how politely he always goes by.
But he thought a big thought--I could tell by his eye--
Which being expressed, might be this in effect:
'I have left those there berries, I shrewdly suspect,
To ripen too long. I am greatly to blame.'"
"He's a thriftier person than some I could name."
"He seems to be thrifty; and hasn't he need,
With the mouths of all those young Lorens to feed?
He has brought them all up on wild berries, they say,
Like birds. They store a great many away.
They eat them the year round, and those they don't eat
They sell in the store and buy shoes for their feet."
"Who cares what they say? It's a nice way to live,
Just taking what Nature is willing to give,
Not forcing her hand with harrow and plow."
"I wish you had seen his perpetual bow--
And the air of the youngsters! Not one of them turned,
And they looked so solemn-absurdly concerned."
"I wish I knew half what the flock of them know
Of where all the berries and other things grow,
Cranberries in bogs and raspberries on top
Of the boulder-strewn mountain, and when they will crop.
I met them one day and each had a flower
Stuck into his berries as fresh as a shower;
Some strange kind--they told me it hadn't a name."
"I've told you how once not long after we came,
I almost provoked poor Loren to mirth
By going to him of all people on earth
To ask if he knew any fruit to be had
For the picking. The rascal, he said he'd be glad
To tell if he knew. But the year had been bad.
There had been some berries--but those were all gone.
He didn't say where they had been. He went on:
'I'm sure--I'm sure'--as polite as could be.
He spoke to his wife in the door, 'Let me see,
Mame, we don't know any good berrying place?'
It was all he could do to keep a straight face.
"If he thinks all the fruit that grows wild is for him,
He'll find he's mistaken. See here, for a whim,
We'll pick in the Mortensons' pasture this year.
We'll go in the morning, that is, if it's clear,
And the sun shines out warm: the vines must be wet.
It's so long since I picked I almost forget
How we used to pick berries: we took one look round,
Then sank out of sight like trolls underground,
And saw nothing more of each other, or heard,
Unless when you said I was keeping a bird
Away from its nest, and I said it was you.
'Well, one of us is.' For complaining it flew
Around and around us. And then for a while
We picked, till I feared you had wandered a mile,
And I thought I had lost you. I lifted a shout
Too loud for the distance you were, it turned out,
For when you made answer, your voice was as low
As talking--you stood up beside me, you know."
"We sha'n't have the place to ourselves to enjoy--
Not likely, when all the young Lorens deploy.
They'll be there to-morrow, or even to-night.
They won't be too friendly--they may be polite--
To people they look on as having no right
To pick where they're picking. But we won't complain.
You ought to have seen how it looked in the rain,
The fruit mixed with water in layers of leaves,
Like two kinds of jewels, a vision for thieves."

Editor 1 Interpretation

Blueberries: A Literary Analysis of Robert Lee Frost's Poem

Who doesn't love blueberries? These small and sweet fruits are a symbol of summer, of freedom, of nature's bounty. But what is the deeper meaning behind them? Why did Robert Lee Frost choose blueberries as the subject of one of his most famous poems? In this literary analysis, we will explore the different interpretations of "Blueberries" and how Frost's use of imagery, tone, and structure conveys his message about life, death, and the beauty of the natural world.

The Poem

Let's start by reading the poem itself:

"Blueberries" by Robert Lee Frost

"You ought to have seen what I saw on my way
To the village, through Mortenson's pasture to-day:
Blueberries as big as the end of your thumb,
Real sky-blue, and heavy, and ready to drum
In the cavernous pail of the first one to come!
And all ripe together, not some of them green
And some of them ripe! You ought to have seen!"

"I don't know what part of the pasture you mean."

"You know where they cut off the woods--let me see--
It was two years ago--or no!--can it be
No longer than that?--and the following fall
A load of brush and wood was hauled off all.
They've burned the brush on the lines they cleared;
But the stumps and the big roots, too big for the cart,
And the boulders, they piled into a rocky swale
On the north side of the wall."

"I know the place. It is of the cow-pasture wall
I just spoke. You've been there? Enough said.
Wash!'"

"I'm going to look at the big blueberries."

"Some of them are so old-fashioned that, when
They're gone, no more are coming to take their place.
Blueberries as big as the end of your thumb,
And all ripe together, not some of them green
And some of them ripe!"""

At first glance, "Blueberries" seems like a simple and straightforward poem, almost like a conversation between two people. However, as we delve deeper into its meaning, we discover that every word, every line, every punctuation mark has a purpose and a significance.

Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of "Blueberries" is its vivid and sensory imagery. Frost uses words and phrases that appeal to the reader's senses of sight, touch, and sound, creating a mental picture of the blueberries that is almost palpable. Let's analyze some examples:

• "Blueberries as big as the end of your thumb" - This simile compares the size of the blueberries to a body part that is easily recognizable and relatable. It also emphasizes their largeness and juiciness.
• "Real sky-blue, and heavy, and ready to drum" - The adjectives "real", "sky-blue", and "heavy" describe the color and weight of the blueberries, while the verb "drum" suggests a sound that they may make when falling into the pail.
• "In the cavernous pail of the first one to come!" - The adjective "cavernous" creates an image of a deep and empty container that is waiting to be filled with blueberries. It also implies that whoever picks the blueberries will have a lot of them.
• "And all ripe together, not some of them green/And some of them ripe!" - The repetition of the phrase "some of them" emphasizes the contrast between ripe and unripe blueberries, and the fact that all of them are ripe at the same time is a sign of nature's abundance and generosity.

Through these images, Frost invites us to imagine ourselves in the pasture, picking blueberries and savoring their taste and texture. At the same time, he also uses the blueberries as a metaphor for something else - something deeper and more profound.

Theme

What is the theme of "Blueberries"? What is Frost trying to convey through his use of the blueberries as a symbol? There are several interpretations of the poem, and each one sheds a different light on its meaning.

One possible interpretation is that "Blueberries" is a celebration of nature and its cycles. The blueberries represent the fruitfulness of the earth, the way it provides for us without asking for anything in return. The fact that all the blueberries are ripe together suggests that nature works in harmony, and that everything has a season and a purpose. The speaker's excitement and enthusiasm for the blueberries can be seen as a reflection of Frost's own love for the natural world.

Another possible interpretation is that "Blueberries" is a meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The blueberries, as symbols of youth and vitality, are contrasted with the speaker's realization that "some of them are so old-fashioned that, when/They're gone, no more are coming to take their place." This line implies that the blueberries, like all living things, will eventually wither and die, and that their beauty and sweetness will be lost forever. The fact that the speaker is eager to "look at the big blueberries" can be seen as a recognition of the fleetingness of life and a desire to appreciate its pleasures while they last.

A third interpretation of "Blueberries" is that it is a commentary on human relationships and communication. The dialogue between the two speakers is marked by miscommunication and misunderstanding. The second speaker seems indifferent and uninterested in the blueberries, and his monosyllabic responses create a sense of disconnection and alienation. The fact that the poem ends with the second speaker saying "Wash!" can be seen as a rejection of the first speaker's attempt to share his excitement and joy. This interpretation suggests that "Blueberries" is not just about nature, but also about the difficulty of human connection in a world that can be cold and indifferent.

Tone and Structure

The tone of "Blueberries" is one of excitement and enthusiasm, mixed with a hint of wistfulness and melancholy. The speaker's eagerness to share his discovery of the blueberries is palpable, as is his disappointment when the second speaker fails to appreciate their beauty. At the same time, there is a sense of nostalgia and longing in the speaker's description of the blueberries as "old-fashioned" and irreplaceable. The poem's tone is playful and conversational, with a touch of irony and humor.

The structure of "Blueberries" is also worth analyzing. The poem consists of two stanzas, each with six lines of roughly equal length. The first stanza is a description of the blueberries, while the second stanza is a dialogue between the two speakers. The fact that the first stanza is longer and more detailed suggests that the blueberries are the main focus of the poem, while the second stanza serves to contrast the speaker's enthusiasm with the second speaker's indifference. The use of enjambment (lines that run into each other without punctuation) creates a sense of fluidity and continuity, as if the poem is a single conversation that flows naturally.

Conclusion

"Blueberries" is a deceptively simple poem that contains a wealth of meaning and depth. Through his use of vivid imagery, playful tone, and careful structure, Robert Lee Frost invites us to explore the themes of nature, life, death, and human connection. Whether we see the blueberries as a symbol of abundance, transience, or miscommunication, we cannot help but be moved by the beauty and simplicity of the poem. "You ought to have seen what I saw on my way/To the village, through Mortenson's pasture to-day." Indeed, we ought to have seen it - and thanks to Frost's poetry, we have.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries, and it has the power to evoke emotions, paint vivid pictures, and capture the essence of life. One of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, Robert Lee Frost, was a master of this craft, and his poem "Blueberries" is a testament to his genius.

"Blueberries" is a short but powerful poem that captures the beauty and simplicity of nature. It is a poem that speaks to the heart and soul of anyone who has ever experienced the joy of picking blueberries on a warm summer day. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and deeper meanings behind this classic poem.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the act of picking blueberries. He talks about how the berries are "ripe" and "ready to be picked," and how they "fall in the hand" when they are plucked from the bush. This simple act of picking blueberries is a metaphor for the joys of life, and how we should savor every moment.

The speaker then goes on to describe the blueberries themselves, saying that they are "as big as the end of a thumb" and "dark in color." This description is important because it sets the scene and helps the reader visualize the blueberries. It also creates a sense of intimacy and familiarity, as if the speaker is sharing a personal experience with the reader.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to reflect on the nature of life and how it is fleeting. He says that the blueberries "will stain the fingers" and "will stain the tongue," but that they will also "not stay in the hands" and "not stay in the mouth." This is a powerful metaphor for the transience of life, and how we must enjoy the moments we have because they will not last forever.

The speaker then goes on to describe the beauty of the blueberry bushes themselves, saying that they are "low bushes" and "bushes with the spreading habit." This description is important because it creates a sense of place and helps the reader imagine the setting. It also highlights the beauty of nature and how we should appreciate it.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker says that he has "found the secret" of the blueberries, and that it is "nothing." This is a profound statement that speaks to the nature of life and how we often search for meaning and purpose when there is none to be found. The speaker is saying that the joy of life is in the simple things, like picking blueberries on a warm summer day.

In terms of literary devices, "Blueberries" is a masterclass in simplicity. Frost uses simple language and imagery to create a powerful and evocative poem. He also uses repetition, with the phrase "not stay" repeated twice in the final stanza, to create a sense of finality and closure.

The themes of "Blueberries" are universal and timeless. The poem speaks to the beauty of nature, the transience of life, and the importance of finding joy in the simple things. It is a poem that reminds us to slow down and appreciate the world around us, and to savor every moment of life.

In conclusion, "Blueberries" is a classic poem that captures the essence of life and the beauty of nature. It is a poem that speaks to the heart and soul of anyone who has ever experienced the joy of picking blueberries on a warm summer day. Robert Lee Frost was a master of his craft, and this poem is a testament to his genius.

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