'"In White": Frost's Early Version Of Design' by Robert Frost


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A dented spider like a snow drop white
On a white Heal-all, holding up a moth
Like a white piece of lifeless satin cloth -
Saw ever curious eye so strange a sight? -
Portent in little, assorted death and blight
Like the ingredients of a witches' broth? -
The beady spider, the flower like a froth,
And the moth carried like a paper kite.

What had that flower to do with being white,
The blue prunella every child's delight.
What brought the kindred spider to that height?
(Make we no thesis of the miller's plight.)
What but design of darkness and of night?
Design, design! Do I use the word aright?


Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

In White: Frost's Early Version Of Design

Have you ever read a poem that made you stop and think about the mysteries of life? A poem that made you ponder on the idea of fate and the significance of the small things that happen around us? Well, Robert Frost's "In White" is one of those poems.

Written in 1912, "In White" is an early version of Frost's "Design," a poem that explores the concept of fate and how it manifests itself in the world around us. In "In White," Frost takes us on a journey through the natural world, pointing out the small details that often go unnoticed in our daily lives.

The Significance of Color

The first thing that strikes the reader about "In White" is the color imagery throughout the poem. From the opening lines, Frost sets the tone for the poem with his description of the spider on the white flower:

A dented spider like a snow drop white
On a white Heal-all, holding up a moth
Like a white piece of lifeless satin cloth -

Here, Frost uses the color white to create a sense of purity and innocence. The spider, typically associated with fear and danger, is portrayed as delicate and beautiful, blending in seamlessly with the white flower. The moth, on the other hand, is described as "lifeless," emphasizing the fragility of life.

Throughout the poem, Frost continues to use color to convey deeper meanings. The "white heal-all" symbolizes healing and renewal, while the "white spider" represents the cyclical nature of life and death. The final image of the "white moth" suggests the futility of life and the inevitability of death.

Nature's Indifference

Another theme that runs throughout "In White" is the idea of nature's indifference. Frost portrays nature as a force that is both beautiful and deadly, indifferent to the lives of the creatures that inhabit it.

The spider, for example, is described as "holding up a moth / Like a white piece of lifeless satin cloth." Here, Frost emphasizes the spider's detachment from the moth's death, as if it were just another part of the natural cycle.

Similarly, the "spider's web" in the second stanza is described as "a snow-drop white," further emphasizing the beauty and purity of nature. However, the following lines reveal the darker side of nature:

On a white heal-all, holding up a moth
Like a white piece of lifeless satin cloth -
Saw ever curious eye so strange a sight?

Here, Frost questions whether anyone has ever witnessed such a strange and disturbing sight. The implication is that while nature may be beautiful, it is also unpredictable and dangerous.

The Role of Fate

Perhaps the most significant theme in "In White" is the role of fate in our lives. Throughout the poem, Frost suggests that everything happens for a reason, even the small details that we often overlook.

The spider, for example, is described as "a dented spider" and the moth as "a white piece of lifeless satin cloth." These details suggest that the spider and the moth were meant to be together, that their meeting was predestined.

The final stanza of the poem further emphasizes the role of fate:

What brought the kindred spider to that height,
Then steered the white moth thither in the night?
What but design of darkness to appall?-
If design govern in a thing so small.

Here, Frost questions whether there is a grand design to the world, and whether everything happens for a reason. The spider and the moth may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but their meeting has a deeper significance that cannot be ignored.

Conclusion

"In White" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the mysteries of life and the natural world. Through his use of color imagery, Frost creates a sense of purity and innocence that is contrasted with the darker themes of nature's indifference and the role of fate.

Overall, "In White" is a testament to Frost's skill as a poet, and his ability to delve into the deeper meanings of the world around us. It is a poem that will leave you thinking long after you have finished reading it, and one that will challenge your assumptions about the nature of existence.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

In White: Frost's Early Version of Design by Robert Frost is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed by literary enthusiasts for decades. This poem is a perfect example of Frost's ability to use simple language to convey complex ideas. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem.

The poem begins with a description of a spider on a white flower. The spider is described as being "assorted characters of death and blight mixed ready to begin the morning right." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with images of death and decay. The spider is also described as being "a snow-drop spider, a flower like a froth, and dead wings carried like a paper kite." This description is both beautiful and haunting, as it shows the delicate beauty of the spider and the death that surrounds it.

The second stanza of the poem describes a moth that is caught in the spider's web. The moth is described as being "a white piece of rigid satin cloth." This description is significant because it shows the contrast between the delicate beauty of the moth and the harsh reality of its death. The moth is also described as being "weary of wings" which suggests that it has been flying for a long time and is tired. This line adds to the overall feeling of sadness and despair in the poem.

The third stanza of the poem describes a flower that is also caught in the spider's web. The flower is described as being "a white spider web, a flower like a froth." This description is similar to the description of the spider in the first stanza, which suggests that the flower and the spider are connected in some way. The flower is also described as being "deadly with its beauty" which suggests that even though it is beautiful, it is also dangerous.

The fourth stanza of the poem describes a moth that is caught in the spider's web. This moth is described as being "a white piece of lifeless satin cloth." This description is significant because it shows the contrast between the delicate beauty of the moth and the harsh reality of its death. The moth is also described as being "weary of wings" which suggests that it has been flying for a long time and is tired. This line adds to the overall feeling of sadness and despair in the poem.

The fifth and final stanza of the poem describes the spider as being "holding up a moth like a white piece of rigid satin cloth." This line is significant because it shows the power that the spider has over its prey. The spider is also described as being "a snow-drop spider, a flower like a froth, and dead wings carried like a paper kite." This description is similar to the description of the spider in the first stanza, which suggests that the spider is a symbol of death and decay.

The structure of the poem is also significant. The poem is written in five stanzas, each with four lines. This structure gives the poem a sense of balance and symmetry. The repetition of the white color throughout the poem also adds to the overall feeling of balance and symmetry.

The literary devices used in the poem are also significant. Frost uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the spider, moth, and flower. He also uses personification to give the spider and the flower human-like qualities. The use of repetition throughout the poem also adds to the overall feeling of sadness and despair.

In conclusion, In White: Frost's Early Version of Design by Robert Frost is a classic poem that explores the themes of death and decay. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and literary devices that create a sense of balance and symmetry. The repetition of the white color throughout the poem adds to the overall feeling of sadness and despair. This poem is a perfect example of Frost's ability to use simple language to convey complex ideas.

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