'Ghost House' by Robert Lee Frost

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I dwell in a lonely house I know
That vanished many a summer ago,
And left no trace but the cellar walls,
And a cellar in which the daylight falls,
And the purple-stemmed wild raspberries grow.

O'er ruined fences the grape-vines shield
The woods come back to the mowing field;
The orchard tree has grown one copse
Of new wood and old where the woodpecker chops;
The footpath down to the well is healed.

I dwell with a strangely aching heart
In that vanished abode there far apart
On that disused and forgotten road
That has no dust-bath now for the toad.
Night comes; the black bats tumble and dart;

The whippoorwill is coming to shout
And hush and cluck and flutter about:
I hear him begin far enough away
Full many a time to say his say
Before he arrives to say it out.

It is under the small, dim, summer star.
I know not who these mute folk are
Who share the unlit place with me--
Those stones out under the low-limbed tree
Doubtless bear names that the mosses mar.

They are tireless folk, but slow and sad,
Though two, close-keeping, are lass and lad,--
With none among them that ever sings,
And yet, in view of how many things,
As sweet companions as might be had.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Ghost House: A Haunting and Poignant Masterpiece by Robert Frost

What makes a poem a classic? It's not just the beauty of the language or the skillful use of literary devices. It's the ability of the poem to transcend generations and speak to people in different times and places. Robert Frost's "Ghost House" is one such classic poem that continues to bewitch and move readers more than a hundred years after its publication. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the haunting beauty and symbolism of "Ghost House" and explore how it captures the essence of human longing and mortality.

The Poem

Before we dive into the analysis, let's first read the poem in its entirety:

I dwell in a lonely house I know

That vanished many a summer ago,

And left no trace but the cellar walls,

And a cellar in which the daylight falls,

And the purple-stemmed wild raspberries grow.

O'er ruined fences the grape-vines shield

The woods come back to the mowing field;

The orchard tree has grown one copse

Of new wood and old where the woodpecker chops;

The footpath down to the well is healed.

I dwell with a strangely aching heart

In that vanished abode there far apart

On that disused and forgotten road

That has no dust-bath now for the toad.

Night comes; the black bats tumble and dart;

The whippoorwill is coming to shout

And hush and cluck and flutter about:

I hear him begin far enough away

Full many a time to say his say

Before he arrives to say it out.

It is under the small, dim, summer star.

I know not who these mute folk are

Who share the unlit place with me—

Those stones out under the low-limbed tree

Doubtless bear names that the mosses mar.

They are tireless folk, but slow and sad,

Though two, close-keeping, are lass and lad,—

With none among them that ever sings,

And yet, in view of how many things,

As sweet companions as might be had.

The sun, setting, lights all weathers,

The man-made bridge on the still water.

I stand by the door and watch the swallows

Gather for flight in the autumn sky.

And I wish, with a sigh,

I could see my friend in that far-off house.

The Analysis

"Ghost House" is a poem that portrays a sense of loss, longing, and melancholy. Frost sets the scene of the poem by describing a lonely house that disappeared many summers ago, leaving only the cellar walls and a cellar where wild raspberries grow. The abandoned house is symbolic of the past, a place that once was alive with people and memories but now is just a shell of what it used to be. Frost's use of vivid imagery and sensory details, such as the "purple-stemmed wild raspberries" and the "ruined fences the grape-vines shield," brings this abandoned house to life and creates a palpable sense of nostalgia.

The second stanza takes us on a journey through time as Frost describes how the woods have come back to the mowing field and the orchard tree has grown into a new wood of old and new. The footpath down to the well has also healed, indicating that nature has reclaimed what was once manmade. This juxtaposition of the natural and the manmade is a recurring theme in Frost's poetry, and in "Ghost House," it highlights the fleeting nature of human existence and the enduring power of nature.

In the third stanza, Frost reveals that he "dwells with a strangely aching heart" in this vanished house, suggesting that he feels a deep sense of loss and longing. He describes the road as "disused and forgotten," with no dust-bath now for the toad, emphasizing the desolation of the place. The imagery of the black bats tumbling and darting and the whippoorwill coming to shout, hush, and cluck creates a sense of foreboding, as if something ominous is about to happen.

The fourth stanza is the most haunting of them all as Frost describes the presence of "mute folk" who share the unlit place with him. These "mute folk" are likely the ghosts of the people who once lived in this abandoned house, and their presence brings a sense of otherworldliness to the poem. Frost muses that these stones under the low-limbed tree undoubtedly bear names that the mosses mar, symbolizing the ephemeral nature of human memory and how easily we forget those who came before us.

In the fifth stanza, Frost describes these "tireless folk" as being slow and sad, with none among them that ever sings. Despite their melancholy existence, they are sweet companions, suggesting that even in death, there is still a sense of community and companionship.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle as Frost describes the sun setting and lighting all weathers and the man-made bridge on the still water. He stands by the door and watches the swallows gather for flight in the autumn sky, and he wishes, with a sigh, that he could see his friend in that far-off house. The poem ends on a wistful note, with Frost longing for a connection to the past and a sense of continuity between the present and the past.

The Interpretation

"Ghost House" is a poem that speaks to the human experience of loss and longing. Frost uses the abandoned house as a symbol of the past, representing the memories and people who once lived there. The poem is haunted by a sense of melancholy and foreboding, as if something ominous is about to happen. The presence of the "mute folk" adds a ghostly element to the poem, suggesting that the past is never truly gone and that the dead still linger among us.

The poem also explores the relationship between man and nature, with Frost juxtaposing the natural and the manmade. The fact that nature has reclaimed what was once manmade emphasizes the fleeting nature of human existence and the enduring power of nature. The poem suggests that despite our desire to hold onto the past, it is ultimately fleeting and subject to the whims of nature.

"Ghost House" is a poem that captures the essence of human longing and mortality. Frost's use of vivid imagery and sensory details creates a palpable sense of nostalgia and loss, while the haunting presence of the "mute folk" adds a ghostly and otherworldly element to the poem. Ultimately, the poem speaks to our desire to connect with the past and to find meaning in our fleeting existence.

Conclusion

"Ghost House" is a haunting and poignant masterpiece that continues to bewitch and move readers more than a hundred years after its publication. Frost's use of vivid imagery and sensory details creates a palpable sense of loss and longing, while the presence of the "mute folk" adds a ghostly and otherworldly element to the poem. The poem speaks to the human experience of mortality and the desire to connect with the past, and it continues to resonate with readers today. As such, "Ghost House" is a true classic of American poetry, one that will continue to be appreciated and studied for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Ghost House: A Hauntingly Beautiful Poem by Robert Lee Frost

Robert Lee Frost, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his vivid imagery and profound insights into the human condition. His poem "Ghost House" is a hauntingly beautiful piece that explores the themes of death, loss, and the transience of life. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem, and explore the techniques that Frost employs to create such a powerful and evocative piece of literature.

The poem begins with a description of a deserted house, which is described as a "house all still and dead". The use of the word "dead" immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, and suggests that the house is a symbol for something deeper and more profound. The house is described as being "lonely" and "deserted", and the windows are "broken" and "shattered". These images create a sense of decay and abandonment, and suggest that the house has been left to rot and decay over time.

As the poem progresses, Frost introduces the idea of ghosts, which are described as "phantoms" that "flit and flutter". The use of the word "phantoms" suggests that these ghosts are not real, but rather a figment of the imagination. However, the fact that they "flit and flutter" suggests that they are still present in some way, and that they have not completely disappeared. This creates a sense of unease and uncertainty, and suggests that the ghosts are a symbol for something that is not quite tangible.

The poem then takes a more introspective turn, as Frost begins to reflect on the nature of life and death. He describes the ghosts as being "faintly stirring", and suggests that they are "trying to speak". This creates a sense of longing and sadness, and suggests that the ghosts are trying to communicate something important. Frost then goes on to describe the "wind" that "whispers" through the house, and suggests that it is a symbol for the passage of time. He writes:

"The wind that whistles through the house Speaks to the age-old trees, And they, the battered ones, confess Their ancient memories."

This passage is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the trees are a symbol for the passage of time, and that they have witnessed the passing of generations. The fact that they "confess their ancient memories" suggests that they have seen and experienced things that are beyond our comprehension, and that they hold the key to understanding the mysteries of life and death.

As the poem draws to a close, Frost returns to the image of the deserted house, and suggests that it is a symbol for the transience of life. He writes:

"The house all still and dead, But where the life has fled, The ghostly phantoms flit and flutter, And the wind whispers of what once was."

This passage is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the house is a symbol for the human body, which is left behind when we die. The fact that the ghosts are still present suggests that there is something beyond death, and that our spirits continue to exist in some form. The wind, which is a symbol for the passage of time, suggests that life is fleeting and transient, and that we must make the most of the time that we have.

In terms of technique, Frost employs a number of literary devices to create the hauntingly beautiful imagery that characterizes the poem. One of the most notable is his use of personification, which gives life to inanimate objects and

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