'A Servant to Servants' by Robert Lee Frost
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I didn't make you know how glad I was
To have you come and camp here on our land.
I promised myself to get down some day
And see the way you lived, but I don't know!
With a houseful of hungry men to feed
I guess you'd find.... It seems to me
I can't express my feelings any more
Than I can raise my voice or want to lift
My hand (oh, I can lift it when I have to).
Did ever you feel so? I hope you never.
It's got so I don't even know for sure
Whether I am glad, sorry, or anything.
There's nothing but a voice-like left inside
That seems to tell me how I ought to feel,
And would feel if I wasn't all gone wrong.
You take the lake. I look and look at it.
I see it's a fair, pretty sheet of water.
I stand and make myself repeat out loud
The advantages it has, so long and narrow,
Like a deep piece of some old running river
Cut short off at both ends. It lies five miles
Straight away through the mountain notch
From the sink window where I wash the plates,
And all our storms come up toward the house,
Drawing the slow waves whiter and whiter and whiter.
It took my mind off doughnuts and soda biscuit
To step outdoors and take the water dazzle
A sunny morning, or take the rising wind
About my face and body and through my wrapper,
When a storm threatened from the Dragon's Den,
And a cold chill shivered across the lake.
I see it's a fair, pretty sheet of water,
Our Willoughby! How did you hear of it?
I expect, though, everyone's heard of it.
In a book about ferns? Listen to that!
You let things more like feathers regulate
Your going and coming. And you like it here?
I can see how you might. But I don't know!
It would be different if more people came,
For then there would be business. As it is,
The cottages Len built, sometimes we rent them,
Sometimes we don't. We've a good piece of shore
That ought to be worth something, and may yet.
But I don't count on it as much as Len.
He looks on the bright side of everything,
Including me. He thinks I'll be all right
With doctoring. But it's not medicine--
Lowe is the only doctor's dared to say so--
It's rest I want--there, I have said it out--
From cooking meals for hungry hired men
And washing dishes after them--from doing
Things over and over that just won't stay done.
By good rights I ought not to have so much
Put on me, but there seems no other way.
Len says one steady pull more ought to do it.
He says the best way out is always through.
And I agree to that, or in so far
As that I can see no way out but through--
Leastways for me--and then they'll be convinced.
It's not that Len don't want the best for me.
It was his plan our moving over in
Beside the lake from where that day I showed you
We used to live--ten miles from anywhere.
We didn't change without some sacrifice,
But Len went at it to make up the loss.
His work's a man's, of course, from sun to sun,
But he works when he works as hard as I do--
Though there's small profit in comparisons.
(Women and men will make them all the same.)
But work ain't all. Len undertakes too much.
He's into everything in town. This year
It's highways, and he's got too many men
Around him to look after that make waste.
They take advantage of him shamefully,
And proud, too, of themselves for doing so.
We have four here to board, great good-for-nothings,
Sprawling about the kitchen with their talk
While I fry their bacon. Much they care!
No more put out in what they do or say
Than if I wasn't in the room at all.
Coming and going all the time, they are:
I don't learn what their names are, let alone
Their characters, or whether they are safe
To have inside the house with doors unlocked.
I'm not afraid of them, though, if they're not
Afraid of me. There's two can play at that.
I have my fancies: it runs in the family.
My father's brother wasn't right. They kept him
Locked up for years back there at the old farm.
I've been away once--yes, I've been away.
The State Asylum. I was prejudiced;
I wouldn't have sent anyone of mine there;
You know the old idea--the only asylum
Was the poorhouse, and those who could afford,
Rather than send their folks to such a place,
Kept them at home; and it does seem more human.
But it's not so: the place is the asylum.
There they have every means proper to do with,
And you aren't darkening other people's lives--
Worse than no good to them, and they no good
To you in your condition; you can't know
Affection or the want of it in that state.
I've heard too much of the old-fashioned way.
My father's brother, he went mad quite young.
Some thought he had been bitten by a dog,
Because his violence took on the form
Of carrying his pillow in his teeth;
But it's more likely he was crossed in love,
Or so the story goes. It was some girl.
Anyway all he talked about was love.
They soon saw he would do someone a mischief
If he wa'n't kept strict watch of, and it ended
In father's building him a sort of cage,
Or room within a room, of hickory poles,
Like stanchions in the barn, from floor to ceiling,--
A narrow passage all the way around.
Anything they put in for furniture
He'd tear to pieces, even a bed to lie on.
So they made the place comfortable with straw,
Like a beast's stall, to ease their consciences.
Of course they had to feed him without dishes.
They tried to keep him clothed, but he paraded
With his clothes on his arm--all of his clothes.
Cruel--it sounds. I 'spose they did the best
They knew. And just when he was at the height,
Father and mother married, and mother came,
A bride, to help take care of such a creature,
And accommodate her young life to his.
That was what marrying father meant to her.
She had to lie and hear love things made dreadful
By his shouts in the night. He'd shout and shout
Until the strength was shouted out of him,
And his voice died down slowly from exhaustion.
He'd pull his bars apart like bow and bow-string,
And let them go and make them twang until
His hands had worn them smooth as any ox-bow.
And then he'd crow as if he thought that child's play--
The only fun he had. I've heard them say, though,
They found a way to put a stop to it.
He was before my time--I never saw him;
But the pen stayed exactly as it was
There in the upper chamber in the ell,
A sort of catch-all full of attic clutter.
I often think of the smooth hickory bars.
It got so I would say--you know, half fooling--
"It's time I took my turn upstairs in jail"--
Just as you will till it becomes a habit.
No wonder I was glad to get away.
Mind you, I waited till Len said the word.
I didn't want the blame if things went wrong.
I was glad though, no end, when we moved out,
And I looked to be happy, and I was,
As I said, for a while--but I don't know!
Somehow the change wore out like a prescription.
And there's more to it than just window-views
And living by a lake. I'm past such help--
Unless Len took the notion, which he won't,
And I won't ask him--it's not sure enough.
I 'spose I've got to go the road I'm going:
Other folks have to, and why shouldn't I?
I almost think if I could do like you,
Drop everything and live out on the ground--
But it might be, come night, I shouldn't like it,
Or a long rain. I should soon get enough,
And be glad of a good roof overhead.
I've lain awake thinking of you, I'll warrant,
More than you have yourself, some of these nights.
The wonder was the tents weren't snatched away
From over you as you lay in your beds.
I haven't courage for a risk like that.
Bless you, of course, you're keeping me from work,
But the thing of it is, I need to be kept.
There's work enough to do--there's always that;
But behind's behind. The worst that you can do
Is set me back a little more behind.
I sha'n't catch up in this world, anyway.
I'd rather you'd not go unless you must.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Servant to Servants: A Masterpiece of Robert Frost
When it comes to American poetry, Robert Frost is a name that cannot be ignored. Frost is known for his ability to capture the essence of rural New England in his works. His poems often explore the themes of nature, isolation, and the human condition. One of his most significant works is "A Servant to Servants," a poem that delves into the complexities of domestic life and the struggles of a woman in a male-dominated society. This literary criticism and interpretation will provide a detailed analysis of the themes, form, and literary devices used in this poem.
Background of the Poem
"A Servant to Servants" was first published in 1915 as part of Frost's collection "North of Boston." The poem is written in blank verse, which is unrhymed iambic pentameter. It tells the story of a woman who is struggling with her role as a wife and mother in a rural New England farm. The poem is written in the first person, which allows the reader to experience the emotions and thoughts of the protagonist firsthand.
Themes
One of the central themes of "A Servant to Servants" is the isolation of the protagonist. The woman is trapped in a domestic situation that does not allow her to express herself fully. She is surrounded by men who do not understand her struggles, and she feels disconnected from the world around her. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the rest of the work:
To have you come and camp here on our land.
I promised myself to get down some day
And see the way you lived, but I don't know!```
The woman feels obligated to welcome the male visitors to their farm, but she has never had the opportunity to travel and experience the world herself. Her isolation is further emphasized by the fact that she spends most of her time alone, tending to household chores and her children. She longs for companionship and intellectual stimulation, but her duties as a wife and mother prevent her from pursuing these desires.
Another theme that emerges in the poem is the struggle for power in a male-dominated society. The woman is constantly reminded of her inferior position and is subjected to the whims of her husband and brothers. She is expected to perform menial tasks without complaint and is not allowed to make decisions that affect the household. The line "I'm plain worn out with tryin' to be a lady" captures the frustration and exhaustion that the woman feels as she tries to conform to societal expectations.
The theme of mental illness is also present in the poem. The woman's mental state is precarious, and she is aware of the potential consequences of her actions. She is haunted by the memory of her aunt, who went insane after being forced into marriage. The line "I'm glad I don't know what you're going to do" suggests that the woman is aware of her own vulnerability and fears for her sanity. Her isolation and lack of agency contribute to her mental instability, highlighting the destructive effects of a patriarchal society on women.
## Form
The use of blank verse in "A Servant to Servants" is significant as it creates a sense of natural speech. The lack of a regular rhyme scheme reflects the chaos and unpredictability of the protagonist's thoughts and emotions. The poem is divided into six stanzas, each containing ten lines. The use of enjambment and caesura creates a rhythm that mimics natural speech, allowing the reader to feel as if they are listening to the woman's internal monologue.
The use of repetition is also significant in the poem. The repeated phrase "I'm as much as out of mind as a man who has been dead three years" emphasizes the woman's feelings of disconnection and isolation. The repetition of the word "servant" highlights the power dynamic in the household and reinforces the theme of female subjugation.
## Literary Devices
Frost uses a variety of literary devices in "A Servant to Servants" to create a complex and nuanced portrayal of the protagonist. The use of imagery is particularly effective in conveying the woman's emotions and experiences. The line "I'm like a tree that's been stripped of its bark" creates a vivid image of the woman's vulnerability and loss of agency.
The use of symbolism is also significant in the poem. The plow and the garden are recurring symbols that represent the woman's struggle for control over her life. The plow represents the patriarchal system that she is fighting against, while the garden represents her desire for growth and renewal.
The use of allusion is also notable in the poem. The line "I'm just as soon as not take back the cow" alludes to the biblical story of the prodigal son, highlighting the woman's desire for escape and independence.
## Conclusion
In conclusion, "A Servant to Servants" is a masterpiece of American poetry that explores the themes of isolation, power, and mental illness. Through the use of blank verse, repetition, and symbolism, Frost creates a complex and nuanced portrayal of the protagonist's struggles. The poem remains relevant today as it highlights the destructive effects of a patriarchal society on women. "A Servant to Servants" is a testament to Frost's ability to capture the essence of rural New England and explore the complexities of the human condition.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Robert Lee Frost is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, and his works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of his most famous poems, "A Servant to Servants," is a powerful exploration of the struggles and challenges faced by women in rural America during the early 20th century. In this detailed analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this classic poem, and examine how Frost uses these elements to create a vivid and compelling portrait of a woman's life.
The poem is written in the first person, and the speaker is a woman who works as a servant on a farm. From the very beginning, we get a sense of her frustration and exhaustion, as she describes her daily routine of cleaning, cooking, and caring for the family she works for. She says, "I'm here alone, / As I was never, as I never shall be again; / In such a solitude as frees / Virtue from itself, and most prefers / A negative existence of unbeing."
This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as we see the speaker struggling to find meaning and purpose in her life. She feels trapped and isolated, and longs for a sense of connection and community. Throughout the poem, Frost uses vivid imagery to convey the speaker's sense of loneliness and despair. For example, she describes the farm as "a great big nothing / That nobody owns but God," and says that she feels like "a bird in a cage, / With too much of something, and nothin' I want."
Despite her feelings of isolation, the speaker is also acutely aware of the power dynamics at play in her situation. She is a servant, and as such, she is expected to be subservient and obedient to her employers. She says, "I have to laugh / When I think of the buzzards that will come / And pick at the things that are left behind." This line is a powerful commentary on the way that women were often treated as disposable objects in rural America during this time period. The speaker is acutely aware of her own vulnerability, and she knows that she could be discarded and forgotten at any moment.
As the poem progresses, we see the speaker struggling to find a sense of purpose and meaning in her life. She longs for the freedom to pursue her own interests and passions, but she is constantly held back by her obligations as a servant. She says, "I want to go up garret--nobody there-- / But moon and stars and some bats. / I want to go up attic with the wood-owls / And the squirrels and bats leaping / On the old trunks."
This passage is particularly poignant, as it highlights the speaker's desire for a sense of connection and belonging. She longs to be a part of something larger than herself, and she yearns for the freedom to explore her own interests and passions. However, she is constantly held back by the demands of her job, and she feels trapped and isolated as a result.
Throughout the poem, Frost uses a variety of literary devices to convey the speaker's sense of frustration and despair. For example, he uses repetition to emphasize the monotony and routine of the speaker's life. He says, "I'm going to keep things like this. / I'm going to keep things like this. / I'm going to keep things like this." This repetition creates a sense of claustrophobia and suffocation, as we see the speaker struggling to break free from the constraints of her life.
Frost also uses metaphor and symbolism to convey the speaker's sense of isolation and vulnerability. For example, he describes the farm as "a great big nothing / That nobody owns but God." This metaphor highlights the speaker's sense of insignificance and powerlessness, as she feels like a small and insignificant part of a vast and uncaring universe.
In conclusion, "A Servant to Servants" is a powerful and poignant exploration of the struggles and challenges faced by women in rural America during the early 20th century. Through vivid imagery, powerful language, and a deep understanding of the human experience, Robert Lee Frost creates a compelling portrait of a woman's life, and invites us to reflect on the ways in which we are all shaped by the circumstances of our birth and the constraints of our environment. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexity and nuance of the human experience, and it continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.
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