'Place for a Third' by Robert Lee Frost

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Nothing to say to all those marriages!
She had made three herself to three of his.
The score was even for them, three to three.
But come to die she found she cared so much:
She thought of children in a burial row;
Three children in a burial row were sad.
One man’s three women in a burial row
Somehow made her impatient with the man.
And so she said to Laban, “You have done
A good deal right; don’t do the last thing wrong.
Don’t make me lie with those two other women.”

Laban said, No, he would not make her lie
With anyone but that she had a mind to,
If that was how she felt, of course, he said.
She went her way. But Laban having caught
This glimpse of lingering person in Eliza,
And anxious to make all he could of it
With something he remembered in himself,
Tried to think how he could exceed his promise,
And give good measure to the dead, though thankless.
If that was how she felt, he kept repeating.
His first thought under pressure was a grave
In a new boughten grave plot by herself,
Under he didn’t care how great a stone:
He’d sell a yoke of steers to pay for it.
And weren’t there special cemetery flowers,
That, once grief sets to growing, grief may rest;
The flowers will go on with grief awhile,
And no one seem neglecting or neglected?
A prudent grief will not despise such aids.
He thought of evergreen and everlasting.
And then he had a thought worth many of these.
Somewhere must be the grave of the young boy
Who married her for playmate more than helpmate,
And sometimes laughed at what it was between them.
How would she like to sleep her last with him?
Where was his grave? Did Laban know his name?

He found the grave a town or two away,
The headstone cut with John, Beloved Husband,
Beside it room reserved; the say a sister’s;
A never-married sister’s of that husband,
Whether Eliza would be welcome there.
The dead was bound to silence: ask the sister.
So Laban saw the sister, and, saying nothing
Of where Eliza wanted not to lie,
And who had thought to lay her with her first love,
Begged simply for the grave. The sister’s face
Fell all in wrinkles of responsibility.
She wanted to do right. She’d have to think.
Laban was old and poor, yet seemed to care;
And she was old and poor—but she cared, too.
They sat. She cast one dull, old look at him,
Then turned him out to go on other errands
She said he might attend to in the village,
While she made up her mind how much she cared—
And how much Laban cared—and why he cared,
(She made shrewd eyes to see where he came in.)

She’d looked Eliza up her second time,
A widow at her second husband’s grave,
And offered her a home to rest awhile
Before she went the poor man’s widow’s way,
Housekeeping for the next man out of wedlock.
She and Eliza had been friends through all.
Who was she to judge marriage in a world
Whose Bible’s so confused up in marriage counsel?
The sister had not come across this Laban;
A decent product of life’s ironing-out;
She must not keep him waiting. Time would press
Between the death day and the funeral day.
So when she saw him coming in the street
She hurried her decision to be ready
To meet him with his answer at the door.
Laban had known about what it would be
From the way she had set her poor old mouth,
To do, as she had put it, what was right.

She gave it through the screen door closed between them:
“No, not with John. There wouldn’t be no sense.
Eliza’s had too many other men.”

Laban was forced to fall back on his plan
To buy Eliza a plot to lie alone in:
Which gives him for himself a choice of lots
When his time comes to die and settle down.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Place for a Third: A Masterpiece of Robert Lee Frost

Are you a fan of Robert Lee Frost? Do you enjoy reading his enchanting poetry? If yes, then you must have come across the poem, "Place for a Third." This poem is one of the most memorable and remarkable pieces of Frost's literary works. In this article, we will dive deep into the poem and interpret it in detail to understand its meaning and significance.

Background

Before we proceed to the analysis of the poem, let's discuss a few details about the author and his writing style. Frost was an American poet who lived from 1874 to 1963. He was one of the most prominent poets of the 20th century and won four Pulitzer Prizes for his literary works. Frost's poetry is known for its traditional form, rural settings, and deep philosophical themes.

"Place for a Third" was published in Frost's poetry collection, "In the Clearing," which was released in 1962, a year before his death. The poem consists of six stanzas, and each stanza has four lines. The poem's tone is melancholic, and it revolves around the theme of loss and grief.

Analysis

Now, let's begin our analysis of the poem. The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the verses. It starts with the lines, "No one who ever gave or took / advice from men / Is quite the same." These lines suggest that every person who seeks or gives advice goes through changes that alter their identity. We all are different before and after we seek or give advice.

The second stanza of the poem talks about the loss of a loved one. The lines, "The giver, taken, leaves a space / That lovers must fill with gloom / Before love can be born again," suggest that when a loved one dies or leaves, it creates a void that is difficult to fill. The sadness and grief that come with the loss of a loved one is a necessary process one must go through to be able to love again.

In the third stanza, Frost talks about the concept of "third" in relationships. The lines, "A third that walks beside us there," suggest that in every relationship, there is always a third person who is the foundation of love. This third person could be a mentor, a family member, or anyone who influences the relationship. The poem suggests that when this third person is gone, the relationship becomes incomplete.

The fourth stanza of the poem talks about the loneliness that comes with loss. The lines, "Loneliness is what men fear," suggest that being alone after losing a loved one is a daunting thought. The fear of loneliness makes people cling to the memories of their loved ones and mourn their loss.

The fifth stanza talks about the power of memories. The lines, "Memories fall from the mind's eye / Tears fall from the eye's corner," suggest that memories and tears are two things that are closely related. Memories of loved ones bring tears to our eyes, and tears help us remember them. Memories help us keep our loved ones close to our hearts even after they are gone.

The final stanza of the poem talks about the inevitability of loss. The lines, "With every friend I love who has been taken into the brown / I hear the heritage of the crying shell," suggest that loss is an inevitable part of life. Everyone we love will eventually be taken away by death, and all that will be left are memories.

Interpretation

Now that we have analyzed the poem, let's interpret its meaning. "Place for a Third" is a poem about loss and grief. The poem suggests that loss is an inevitable part of life, and we must go through the process of grief to be able to love again. The poem also talks about the power of memories and how they help us keep our loved ones close to our hearts even after they are gone.

The concept of "third" in relationships is a significant theme in the poem. The poem suggests that every relationship has a third person who is the foundation of love. This third person could be a mentor, a family member, or anyone who influences the relationship. When this third person is gone, the relationship becomes incomplete, and the people in the relationship go through the process of grief to be able to love again.

The poem also talks about the fear of loneliness that comes with loss. Being alone after losing a loved one is a daunting thought, and people cling to memories to keep their loved ones close. Memories are a powerful tool that helps us remember our loved ones and keep them close to our hearts even after they are gone.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Place for a Third" is a masterpiece of Robert Lee Frost. The poem talks about loss and grief and suggests that they are an inevitable part of life. The poem also talks about the power of memories and how they help us keep our loved ones close to our hearts even after they are gone. The concept of "third" in relationships is also a significant theme in the poem, suggesting that every relationship has a third person who is the foundation of love. Overall, "Place for a Third" is a poignant and moving piece of poetry that captures the essence of loss and grief.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Place for a Third: A Masterpiece by Robert Lee Frost

Robert Lee Frost, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his simple yet profound poetry that captures the essence of human experience. His poem, "Poetry Place for a Third," is a masterpiece that explores the power of poetry to connect people and bring them together.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a place where two people are sitting and reading poetry. The speaker then imagines a third person joining them, and the three of them sharing their thoughts and feelings about the poems they are reading. The speaker says that this third person would bring a new perspective and enrich their understanding of the poetry.

The poem is deceptively simple, but it contains a wealth of meaning and insight. Frost uses the image of the three people reading poetry to symbolize the power of poetry to bring people together and create a sense of community. The poem suggests that poetry is not just a solitary activity, but something that can be shared and enjoyed with others.

The poem also highlights the importance of diversity and different perspectives in understanding poetry. The speaker suggests that the third person would bring a new perspective and enrich their understanding of the poetry. This is a powerful message about the value of diversity and the importance of listening to different voices and perspectives.

Frost's use of language is also noteworthy. The poem is written in simple, straightforward language, but it contains many subtle and complex ideas. Frost's use of imagery and metaphor is particularly effective. For example, the image of the three people reading poetry is a powerful metaphor for the power of poetry to bring people together and create a sense of community.

The poem also contains many subtle references to other works of literature. For example, the line "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— / I took the one less traveled by" is a reference to Frost's famous poem "The Road Not Taken." This reference adds depth and complexity to the poem, and shows Frost's mastery of literary allusion.

Overall, "Poetry Place for a Third" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the power of poetry to connect people and bring them together. Frost's use of language, imagery, and metaphor is masterful, and the poem contains many subtle and complex ideas. This is a poem that rewards careful reading and reflection, and it is a testament to Frost's enduring legacy as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.

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