'Fragmentary Blue' by Robert Lee Frost


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Why make so much of fragmentary blue
In here and there a bird, or butterfly,
Or flower, or wearing-stone, or open eye,
When heaven presents in sheets the solid hue?

Since earth is earth, perhaps, not heaven (as yet)--
Though some savants make earth include the sky;
And blue so far above us comes so high,
It only gives our wish for blue a whet.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Fragmentary Blue by Robert Frost: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation

If you're a fan of poetry, then you've probably heard of Robert Frost. He's one of the most famous poets in the world, known for his simple yet powerful style. One of his most beloved works is "Fragmentary Blue," a short but powerful poem that captures the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

The Poem

Here is the poem in its entirety:

Why make so much of fragmentary blue
In here and there a bird, or butterfly,
Or flower, or wearing-stone, or open eye,
When heaven presents in sheets the solid hue?

Since earth is earth, perhaps, not heaven (as yet)--
Though some savants make earth include the sky;
And blue so far above us comes so high,
It only gives our wish for blue a whet.

As you can see, "Fragmentary Blue" is a short and simple poem, consisting of just two quatrains. It's written in Frost's characteristic style, with simple language and a focus on the natural world.

Analysis

At first glance, "Fragmentary Blue" seems like a simple poem about the beauty of the natural world. The speaker wonders why we make such a big deal out of "fragmentary blue" – small glimpses of blue in the form of birds, butterflies, flowers, and stones – when the sky is so vast and blue. It seems to be a criticism of human nature – why do we focus on small things when there is so much more to see?

But as with most of Frost's poems, there's more going on beneath the surface. The poem is full of ambiguity and open to interpretation. Let's take a closer look at each line.

Why make so much of fragmentary blue

The poem begins with a rhetorical question that sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The phrase "fragmentary blue" is interesting – it suggests that the blue in question is small and incomplete. The speaker seems to be asking why we make such a big deal out of small glimpses of beauty.

In here and there a bird, or butterfly,

Or flower, or wearing-stone, or open eye,

These five objects – a bird, a butterfly, a flower, a stone, and an eye – are all examples of "fragmentary blue." They are small, fleeting glimpses of beauty in an otherwise drab world. The use of the word "wearing-stone" is particularly interesting – it suggests that even inanimate objects have the potential to be beautiful.

When heaven presents in sheets the solid hue?

The contrast between "fragmentary blue" and "the solid hue" of the sky is striking. The sky is vast and unbroken, while the "fragmentary blue" is small and scattered. The phrase "in sheets" suggests that the sky is a tangible and material thing, almost like a blanket. The use of the word "heaven" is also significant – it suggests that the sky is something divine and otherworldly.

Since earth is earth, perhaps, not heaven (as yet)--

This line is full of ambiguity. The word "perhaps" suggests uncertainty – the speaker is not sure whether or not the earth is heaven. The use of the phrase "as yet" suggests that it could become heaven in the future. This line suggests that the poem is not just about the beauty of the natural world, but about the potential for transcendence.

Though some savants make earth include the sky;

The word "savants" suggests that the speaker is referring to intellectuals or scholars. The idea that some people believe the earth includes the sky is an interesting one – it suggests that the boundary between heaven and earth is not as clear-cut as we might think.

And blue so far above us comes so high,

The repetition of the word "so" emphasizes the vastness of the sky. The phrase "comes so high" is interesting – it suggests that the sky is an active thing, moving and reaching down towards us.

It only gives our wish for blue a whet.

This final line is full of ambiguity. The word "whet" suggests that the sky – and the "fragmentary blue" – is teasing us, encouraging us to seek out more beauty. The phrase "our wish for blue" is interesting – it suggests that the desire for beauty is universal and eternal.

Interpretation

So what does "Fragmentary Blue" mean? As with most of Frost's poems, there is no one definitive interpretation. Here are a few possible readings:

The beauty of the natural world

On a surface level, "Fragmentary Blue" is a simple celebration of the beauty of the natural world. The poem suggests that even small glimpses of beauty – a bird, a butterfly, a flower – are worth celebrating. The speaker seems to be urging us to appreciate the small things in life.

The potential for transcendence

The ambiguous line "since earth is earth, perhaps, not heaven (as yet)" suggests that the poem is about more than just the beauty of the natural world. It suggests that there is the potential for transcendence – that the earth could become heaven in the future. This reading suggests that the poem is urging us to strive for something greater than the mundane world around us.

The universal desire for beauty

The final line of the poem – "it only gives our wish for blue a whet" – suggests that the desire for beauty is universal and eternal. The poem suggests that even though the world can be ugly and cruel, there is always the potential for beauty and transcendence. This reading suggests that the poem is ultimately optimistic, urging us to seek out beauty even in the darkest of times.

Conclusion

"Fragmentary Blue" is a short but powerful poem that captures the beauty and wonder of the natural world. It is full of ambiguity and open to interpretation, but ultimately it suggests that even small glimpses of beauty are worth celebrating. The poem is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the potential for transcendence and beauty.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Fragmentary Blue: A Masterpiece by Robert Lee Frost

Robert Lee Frost, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his profound and thought-provoking works that explore the complexities of human nature and the world around us. Among his many masterpieces, Poetry Fragmentary Blue stands out as a shining example of his poetic genius. In this 14-line poem, Frost captures the essence of the human experience, using vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to convey a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of the natural world.

The poem begins with the line "Why make so much of fragmentary blue," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Frost is questioning why we as humans tend to focus on the small, seemingly insignificant things in life, rather than appreciating the bigger picture. He goes on to describe the "scarlet, crimson, red" of the sunrise, and the "gold, orange, amber" of the sunset, both of which are much more grand and awe-inspiring than the "fragmentary blue" of the sky.

However, Frost doesn't dismiss the beauty of the blue sky entirely. He acknowledges that it has its own unique charm, describing it as "pale, paler than the moon" and "softer than the sunrise." He also notes that the blue sky is a constant presence in our lives, always there in the background, even when we're not paying attention to it. This idea of the sky as a constant, unchanging force is reinforced by the repetition of the word "blue" throughout the poem.

As the poem progresses, Frost begins to delve deeper into the meaning behind the blue sky. He asks, "Is there a meaning in the hues of blue?" and wonders if there is some greater purpose behind the beauty of the natural world. He then goes on to suggest that perhaps the blue sky represents something intangible and mysterious, something that we can't quite put into words. He describes it as "a hint of heaven," suggesting that the sky is a symbol of something greater than ourselves, something that we can only glimpse but never fully understand.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful, as Frost brings together all of the themes and ideas that he has been exploring throughout the piece. He writes, "So blue it is, so bright, so mingled with the light, / That where the blue begins the light proceeds." Here, Frost is suggesting that the blue sky and the light are inextricably linked, that they are two sides of the same coin. He is also hinting at the idea that the blue sky represents something transcendent and divine, something that is beyond our understanding but that we can still appreciate and marvel at.

Overall, Poetry Fragmentary Blue is a stunning work of poetry that captures the essence of the human experience in just 14 lines. Through his use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and thought-provoking questions, Frost invites us to contemplate the beauty of the natural world and our place within it. He reminds us that even the smallest things in life can be sources of wonder and inspiration, and that there is always something greater and more mysterious lurking just beyond our grasp.

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