'Need of Being Versed in Country Things, The' by Robert Lee Frost
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The house had gone to bring again
To the midnight sky a sunset glow.
Now the chimney was all of the house that stood,
Like a pistil after the petals go.
The barn opposed across the way,
That would have joined the house in flame
Had it been the will of the wind, was left
To bear forsaken the place’s name.
No more it opened with all one end
For teams that came by the stony road
To drum on the floor with scurrying hoofs
And brush the mow with the summer load.
The birds that came to it through the air
At broken windows flew out and in,
Their murmur more like the sigh we sigh
From too much dwelling on what has been.
Yet for them the lilac renewed its leaf,
And the aged elm, though touched with fire;
And the dry pump flung up an awkward arm;
And the fence post carried a strand of wire.
For them there was really nothing sad.
But though they rejoiced in the nest they kept,
One had to be versed in country things
Not to believe the phoebes wept.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Necessity of Being Versed in Country Things by Robert Frost: A Deep Dive
If there's one thing that Robert Frost is known for, it's his ability to capture the beauty of nature in his poetry. And there's no better example of this than his poem, "The Necessity of Being Versed in Country Things." This poem is not only a celebration of the natural world, but also a commentary on the importance of being connected to it. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the themes and imagery in "The Necessity of Being Versed in Country Things," and try to understand what Frost is trying to say about the relationship between humans and nature.
Summary of the Poem
Before we dive into the analysis, let's first take a moment to summarize the poem. "The Necessity of Being Versed in Country Things" is a short, 12-line poem that is divided into three stanzas. In the first stanza, Frost sets the scene by describing the speaker's surroundings:
The house had gone to bring again
To the midnight sky a sunset glow.
Now the chimney was all of the house that stood,
Like a pistil after the petals go.
Here, we see that the house has disappeared, leaving only the chimney standing. Frost uses a metaphor to describe the chimney as a pistil after the petals go, which suggests that the house was once full of life and activity, but now all that's left is a lone chimney.
In the second stanza, Frost introduces the speaker:
The barn opposed across the way,
That would have joined the house in flame
Had it been the will of the wind, was left
To bear forsaken the place's name.
Here, we see that the barn is also abandoned and left to decay. The speaker notes that it could have easily caught fire and burned down with the house, but instead it remains standing, a symbol of abandonment and neglect.
Finally, in the third stanza, Frost brings the poem to its conclusion:
No more it opened with all one end
For teams that came by the stony road
To drum on the floor with scurrying hoofs
And brush the mow with the summer load.
The birds that came to it through the air
At broken windows flew out and in,
Their murmur more like the sigh we sigh
From too much dwelling on what has been.
A message from the wanderer, the inconstant,
A something undefined, a strain
Of music heard in the unheard,
A scent unseen.
Here, Frost laments the loss of the barn's former purpose. It used to be a place where teams of animals would come to unload their summer harvest, and birds would fly in and out of its broken windows. But now, it is silent and abandoned, and the only sound is the speaker's sigh. Frost suggests that the barn represents something more than just a physical structure - it is a symbol of a lost way of life, and the importance of being connected to the land.
Themes and Imagery
Now that we have a basic understanding of the poem, let's dive into the themes and imagery that Frost uses to convey his message.
Abandonment and Neglect
One of the most obvious themes in "The Necessity of Being Versed in Country Things" is abandonment and neglect. The speaker describes the house and barn as abandoned, with the house disappearing entirely and the barn left to decay. Frost suggests that these structures were once full of life and activity, but now they are silent and forgotten.
This theme is reinforced by the image of the chimney as a pistil after the petals go. This metaphor suggests that the house was once full of activity and life, like a flower in bloom, but now all that's left is a solitary chimney. Similarly, the barn's former purpose as a place for teams of animals to unload their summer harvest is a reminder of a lost way of life, and the importance of being connected to the land.
The Importance of Being Connected to Nature
Another theme in the poem is the importance of being connected to nature. Frost suggests that the loss of the house and barn represents a loss of connection to the land. The animals and birds that used to live in and around these structures have now disappeared, and the speaker's sigh is a reminder of what has been lost.
This theme is reinforced by the imagery in the poem. Frost describes the birds flying in and out of the broken windows of the barn, and the teams of animals unloading their harvest. These images suggest a deep connection between humans and nature, and the importance of preserving that connection.
The Passage of Time
Finally, one of the underlying themes in the poem is the passage of time. Frost suggests that the loss of the house and barn represents a passing of an era, and the speaker's sigh is a reminder of what has been lost. The barn's former purpose as a place for teams of animals to unload their summer harvest is a reminder of a way of life that no longer exists.
This theme is reinforced by the image of the birds flying in and out of the broken windows of the barn. The birds are a reminder of the passage of time, and the fact that life goes on even as humans come and go.
Interpretation
So what is Frost trying to say about the relationship between humans and nature in "The Necessity of Being Versed in Country Things"? Ultimately, the poem is a commentary on the importance of being connected to the land. Frost suggests that the loss of the house and barn represents a loss of connection to nature, and the importance of preserving that connection.
The poem is also a reminder that time passes, and that humans must adapt to changing circumstances. The loss of the barn's former purpose is a reminder that the world is constantly changing, and that humans must be willing to change with it.
Finally, the poem is a celebration of the beauty of nature. Frost's use of imagery, particularly the image of the birds flying in and out of the broken windows of the barn, is a reminder of the wonder and beauty that can be found in the natural world.
Conclusion
"The Necessity of Being Versed in Country Things" is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the beauty of nature and the importance of being connected to the land. Frost's use of imagery and metaphor is masterful, and his message is both thought-provoking and inspiring. Ultimately, the poem is a reminder that humans must be willing to adapt to changing circumstances, and that our connection to nature is an essential part of our humanity.
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, "The Need of Being Versed in Country Things," is a powerful exploration of the relationship between humans and nature, and the importance of understanding and respecting the natural world.
At its core, "The Need of Being Versed in Country Things" is a meditation on the ways in which humans have become disconnected from the natural world, and the consequences of this disconnection. Frost begins the poem by describing a scene in which a group of people are walking through a field, seemingly oblivious to the beauty and complexity of the natural world around them. He writes:
"The house had gone to bring again To the midnight sky a sunset glow. Now the chimney was all of the house that stood, Like a pistil after the petals go."
This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a lament for the ways in which humans have lost touch with the natural world. Frost goes on to describe the people in the field as "city people," who are "out of touch with the country." He notes that they are "unversed in country things," and that they "scarcely know what this valley means."
This sense of disconnection from nature is a recurring theme throughout the poem, and Frost uses a variety of images and metaphors to explore it. For example, he describes the people in the field as "strangers" who are "out of place," and he compares them to "birds of passage" who are "passing through." These images suggest that the people are not fully rooted in the natural world, and that they are only passing through it on their way to somewhere else.
Frost also uses the image of a "burnt-over place" to convey the sense of loss and destruction that has occurred as a result of human activity. He writes:
"The people that had settled there At going seemed to come and go, They never stopped but fled, -Scarce noticed they were gone But where the road runs westward from the inn, The sentry walks up and down."
This image of a "burnt-over place" suggests that the land has been damaged and scarred by human activity, and that the people who once lived there have been forced to flee. The sentry who walks up and down the road is a reminder of the human presence that still lingers in the landscape, even as the natural world struggles to recover.
Throughout the poem, Frost emphasizes the importance of being "versed in country things," and he suggests that this knowledge is essential for understanding and appreciating the natural world. He writes:
"The land may vary more; But wherever the truth may be- The water comes ashore, And the people look at the sea.
They cannot look out far. They cannot look in deep. But when was that ever a bar To any watch they keep?"
This passage suggests that even though humans may not fully understand the natural world, they still have a responsibility to observe and appreciate it. By being "versed in country things," they can gain a deeper understanding of the natural world and their place within it.
Overall, "The Need of Being Versed in Country Things" is a powerful meditation on the relationship between humans and nature, and the importance of understanding and respecting the natural world. Frost's use of vivid imagery and metaphorical language creates a haunting and evocative portrait of a world that has been damaged and scarred by human activity, but that still retains its beauty and complexity. Through his poetry, Frost reminds us of the importance of being connected to the natural world, and of the responsibility we all have to protect and preserve it for future generations.
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