'Going for Water' by Robert Lee Frost
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
The well was dry beside the door,
And so we went with pail and can
Across the fields behind the house
To seek the brook if still it ran;
Not loth to have excuse to go,
Because the autumn eve was fair
(Though chill), because the fields were ours,
And by the brook our woods were there.
We ran as if to meet the moon
That slowly dawned behind the trees,
The barren boughs without the leaves,
Without the birds, without the breeze.
But once within the wood, we paused
Like gnomes that hid us from the moon,
Ready to run to hiding new
With laughter when she found us soon.
Each laid on other a staying hand
To listen ere we dared to look,
And in the hush we joined to make
We heard, we knew we heard the brook.
A note as from a single place,
A slender tinkling fall that made
Now drops that floated on the pool
Like pearls, and now a silver blade.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry Analysis: Going for Water by Robert Frost
Is there anyone who hasn't heard of Robert Frost? His unique style and captivating poems have made him one of the most recognized poets in American literature. In this literary analysis, we will explore one of his most famous works, "Going for Water". This poem has been studied by students and scholars alike, and for good reason. Frost's use of language and his ability to create vivid imagery makes "Going for Water" a poem that is both beautiful and thought-provoking.
Background
Let's start by looking at the background of the poem. "Going for Water" was first published in 1916 as a part of Frost's collection named "Mountain Interval". The collection was published after Frost had moved his family to New Hampshire, where he found inspiration in the rural life and natural beauty of the area.
Frost was known for his ability to create poetry that was both simple and complex at the same time. He often used plain language and everyday subjects as themes in his poetry, but his use of metaphor and symbolism made his works much deeper and more meaningful.
Theme
One of the main themes in "Going for Water" is the idea of isolation. The poem tells the story of a man who goes out to fetch water from a spring in the woods. The man is alone and the only sound he hears is the sound of his own footsteps. The poem describes the man's journey to the spring and the return trip, during which he realizes that he is alone in the world.
The poem also touches on the idea of mortality. The man in the poem is aware of the passing of time and the inevitability of death. He sees the leaves falling from the trees, and he knows that he too will eventually die.
But despite these heavy themes, the poem is also about finding beauty in everyday life. The man in the poem is able to appreciate the beauty of the natural world around him, even in his moments of loneliness and despair.
Structure
The structure of "Going for Water" is a simple one, with four stanzas of equal length. Each stanza consists of four lines, and the poem follows a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme.
The simplicity of the structure reflects the simplicity of the subject matter. Frost uses plain language and a straightforward structure to convey his message.
Literary Devices
Frost's use of literary devices is what makes "Going for Water" such a powerful poem. Let's take a closer look at some of these devices.
Metaphor
One of the most prominent metaphors in the poem is the idea of water as a symbol for life. The man in the poem is going out to get water, which is a basic necessity for survival. But water also represents something deeper. It is a symbol for the cycle of life and death.
In the first stanza, Frost writes:
The well was dry beside the door,
And so we went with pail and can
Across the fields behind the house
To seek the brook if still it ran;
Here, the dry well represents the idea of a stagnant life, one in which there is no growth or change. The man is forced to go out and search for water, which represents the idea of renewal and new beginnings.
Symbolism
Frost uses several symbols in the poem to convey his message. One of the most prominent is the idea of the spring in the woods. The spring is a symbol for the unknown, the mysterious, and the hidden. It represents the idea of discovery and exploration.
In the third stanza, Frost writes:
The autumn hue of trees that stood
Along the side of the hill was tall:
Over the hill and down to the wood
They brought the water to a domed hall
Here, the trees represent the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The man sees the leaves falling from the trees, and he knows that he too will eventually die. But despite this realization, he is able to appreciate the beauty of the natural world around him.
Allusion
Frost also uses allusion in the poem to create deeper meaning. The line "A little something to remember spring by" in the final stanza is a reference to the idea of memento mori. Memento mori is a Latin phrase that means "remember that you will die". It was a common theme in art and literature during the Renaissance period, and it serves as a reminder that life is fleeting and that we should appreciate every moment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Going for Water" is a beautifully written poem that explores themes of isolation, mortality, and the beauty of everyday life. Frost's use of language and literary devices make the poem both simple and complex at the same time. The poem is a reminder that even in our moments of loneliness and despair, there is still beauty to be found in the world around us.
As readers, we are left with the understanding that the man in the poem has found something more profound than just water. He has found a sense of peace and acceptance in the natural world, and he has learned to appreciate the fleeting moments of life.
So, the next time you find yourself feeling alone or lost, remember the words of Robert Frost and "Going for Water". Look around at the beauty of the world and find solace in the simple things.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Going for Water: A Journey Through Life
Robert Lee Frost’s poem “Going for Water” is a beautiful and poignant exploration of the human experience. It is a journey through life, filled with moments of joy and sorrow, hope and despair, and ultimately, the realization that life is fleeting and precious.
The poem begins with a simple scene: a man and his son are going to fetch water from a nearby stream. But as the poem unfolds, it becomes clear that this is not just a mundane task, but a metaphor for life itself.
The first stanza sets the scene:
The well was dry beside the door, And so we went with pail and can Across the fields behind the house To seek the brook if still it ran;
Here, we see the father and son setting out on their journey. The well is dry, and they must go in search of water. The fields behind the house represent the vast expanse of life that lies ahead of them. The brook, if it still runs, represents the hope that there is still life to be found, even in the midst of drought and despair.
In the second stanza, the father and son come across a frog:
Not loth to have excuse to go, Because the autumn eve was fair (Though chill), we sat down on the bank. We spoke of the farm, and school, and bed,
Here, we see the father and son taking a moment to rest and reflect. The autumn eve is fair, but chill, reminding us that life can be both beautiful and harsh. They speak of the farm, representing the work and toil of life, and school, representing the learning and growth that comes with it. Bed represents the rest and comfort that we all seek in life.
In the third stanza, the father and son continue on their journey:
And talked of the way the house stood back, Of the road fronting the door, And how the apple-orchard lacked Water, and yet bore
Here, we see the father and son discussing their home and the challenges they face. The house stands back, representing the distance we sometimes feel from those we love. The road fronting the door represents the path we must take in life, and the apple-orchard lacking water represents the struggles we face, but also the resilience and strength we possess.
In the fourth stanza, the father and son reach the stream:
We dipped our pails in the running brook, And drank a long, deep draught; For the water tasted good, as well it should, - And blessed the coming rain.
Here, we see the father and son finally finding the water they were seeking. They drink deeply, reminding us to savor the moments of joy and contentment in life. The water tastes good, as well it should, representing the satisfaction that comes from achieving our goals. And they bless the coming rain, representing the hope that there will always be more to come in life.
In the final stanza, the father and son begin their journey back home:
And the sun set and the dusk fell, And the empty pail and the broken can Were thrown to the well. And the silence fell Like a great hood on the land.
Here, we see the father and son beginning their journey back home, as the sun sets and dusk falls. The empty pail and broken can represent the disappointments and failures we encounter in life, but they are thrown to the well, representing the ability to let go and move on. And the silence falls like a great hood on the land, representing the finality of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.
In conclusion, Robert Lee Frost’s poem “Going for Water” is a beautiful and poignant exploration of the human experience. It is a journey through life, filled with moments of joy and sorrow, hope and despair, and ultimately, the realization that life is fleeting and precious. It reminds us to savor the moments of joy and contentment, to persevere through the struggles and challenges, and to cherish every moment we have.
Editor Recommended Sites
Coin Exchange - Crypto Exchange List & US Crypto Exchanges: Interface with crypto exchanges to get data and realtime updatesKids Books: Reading books for kids. Learn programming for kids: Scratch, Python. Learn AI for kids
Streaming Data: Data streaming and data movement best practice for cloud, software engineering, cloud
Polars: Site dedicated to tutorials on the Polars rust framework, similar to python pandas
Prompt Catalog: Catalog of prompts for specific use cases. For chatGPT, bard / palm, llama alpaca models
Recommended Similar Analysis
On The Beach At Night, Alone by Walt Whitman analysisHeaven is what I cannot reach! by Emily Dickinson analysis
Hidden by Naomi Shihab Nye analysis
The Fiddler of the Reels by Thomas Hardy analysis
Song by Sir John Suckling analysis
II .Safety by Rupert Brooke analysis
To You by Walt Whitman analysis
How happy is the little Stone by Emily Dickinson analysis
The Three Strangers by Thomas Hardy analysis
Sonnet 14 - If thou must love me, let it be for nought by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis