Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening Analysis

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it's queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there's some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

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It is so funny to see people saying, "its about nature, and Frost is remembering the moment" HA! Do you know what a metaphor is?
In its simplest break down the poem is about death, then you can even dig deeper to come to see it is in fact about suicide. If you do the research you will learn that Frost's first child had succumbed to an illness and passed away. Thus giving meaning behind the line "the darkest evening of the year". The second most obvious line that gives justification to my thesis is "I have miles to go before i sleep", sleep meaning death. I can go even further in saying that the Horse is his conscience trying to pull him away from the enticing deep woods "he gives his harness bells a shake". The line "the woods are lovely dark and deep" shows that the narrator is not in a normal state of mind. He wants to traverse through them in the dead of winter, an action that would inevitably lead to his death. Then the narrator comes to the realization that he has "miles to go before" he "sleep(s)"... ugg I'm sorry you know what, this poem is what ever you want to be. I am not the author so i cant tell you what its really about. Truthfully i just got really unmotivated writing an analysis with nothing to gain. have a good day! =)

| Posted on 2009-11-18 | by a guest

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This is a beautiful poem about a moment spent in a natural setting that attracted the poet. For the first part of that moment, he saw nothing but the beauty of nature. It captivated him, and he became one with it. But not far from the surface of this appreciation, he was aware of the demands and distractions of life. This surfaces in his mind as an awareness that he is on someone's land, but then reassures himself that that person is not present to see him stopping here, and so there is no reason for him to worry what that person might think if he were seen here. But even his horse was aware of these things - or so it seemed. Probably, the horse shook its head the way horses do, for no reason at all. But to Frost, it brought to mind the impatience that is always expressed toward someone who is not actively doing something with a purpose to it. Then he is drawn back to the scene, knowing that the horse cannot really be impatient with him, and he has another moment of freedom to appreciate. Finally, he realizes that this moment is not something he can capture, or hold or own. It is only a moment. There is nothing he can do with it except appreciate it. He realizes that this moment may be something he will one day appreciate in another dimension, such as death - not a foreboding death, simply another state of existence that may have room for a moment such as this. 'The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,' No, not now. Now he must return to the pattern of his life. Maybe this experience awaits him when he sleeps, either metaphorically in death, or when this day's tiring journey is over.

| Posted on 2009-11-10 | by a guest

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Frost uses the DDDD rhyme scheme much the same way that Shakespeare used rhyming couplets: to point out to the reader that those lines are very important. Frost's departure from the rhyme scheme in the last stanza is to highlight the importance of the line "And miles to go before I sleep". What's more, the line is repeated. He makes it pretty obvious that those two lines are loaded with meaning.
Yes, the poem is about the beauty of nature, but there is undeniably a second layer of meaning. There are many hints in the vocabulary of the poem, notably the sneaky use of the word "downy" as explained by some nice person above. Consider also the use of the word "darkest" instead of "longest evening of the year". Most people assume this poem takes place on December 21st - literally the longest evening of the year - and in the "beauty of nature" context of this poem, that assumption is sound. But looking deeper, "the darkest evening of the year" has many heavy connotations, from the stifling load of everyday life to, possibly, the unbearable task of continuing with life.
I love the comment from the person who met the Frost historian - it is a beautiful insight into the poet's life. I do believe that he wrote this poem remembering that scene, but I think it is extremely important consider what was happening in his life when he first came across the snowy wood: an failed attempt to provide Christmas gifts for his children; Truly a frustrating, heartbreaking and overwhelming moment. I have a hard time believing that Frost would have written the poem strictly about the scene he came across without including what it represented to him in that moment. He was moved to tears by the beauty of the wood. He saw snow, yes, but he also saw stillness, respite from his life's burdens. But he knew he must carry on - for his family, for his friends, for himself. Which is exactly the meaning of the poem. True, it is literally about stopping by the woods, but not just your routine rest stop. Context, people, context!

| Posted on 2009-10-22 | by a guest

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This is a paper I am writing for English class. It hasn't been critiqued, and I was wondering what you think. This isn't the final copy, and I still have to add a concluding paragraph and fill out my body paragraphs (and probably redo my intro). If someone reads this by Sunday afternoon, that would be great. If not, at least tell me what you think. I will also post my final copy when it's finished.
-Colin
The Use of Literary Devices in Robert Frost's “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”
In Robert Frost's poem. “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” the speaker uses literary devices to show the reader the poem's meaning. Symbolism plays an important role in this poem. Robert Frost uses symbolism to show the correlation between the woods and village with heaven. Mythological symbolism is also found in this poem. when the speaker talks about the lake. it is a reference to Hel in Norse Mythology. The tone of the poem, and Robert Frost's syntax. portray a tranquil yet dark feeling throughout the poem. The observations made exhibit how the speaker views life and death. The personification of the horse shows how the horse is important to the poem. In Robert Frost's “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” he portrays the barrier between Heaven and Hel. and how one should cherish one's life.
In the first stanza of the poem. the speaker identifies where he is and who owns the land. The woods are owned by a man who lives “in the village” (2). The man the speaker is referring to is God. who owns all the land on earth. because he created it. The speaker then adds that God “will not see me [the speaker] stopping here.” showing that the man feels unnoticed by God. As the speaker “watch [es] his woods fill up with snow.'' (4) time passes by relating to the speaker's life passing. The woods represent the Gates of Heaven. and the speaker is outside of Heaven. watching as life continues without him.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the horse and further develops the location of the events occurring. The horse represents the speakers conscience. following the speaker throughout his life. and hinting at what paths of life the speaker should follow. When the speaker mentions that his “horse must think it queer. to stop without a farm house near.” (5-6) the speaker insinuates that he is contemplating suicide. and his conscience does not think that this thought is normal. The farm house represents a point in life, something the speaker is not trying to reach. Robert Frost writes the poem using iambic tetrameter. which follows the beat of a horse. The rhythm of the poem further alludes that the horse is a part of the speaker. Death is further mentioned in the poem when the speaker says. “In between the woods and frozen lake”(7) . In Norse Mythology. the underworld is called Hel. and is located in the frozen region of Niflheim. Robert Frost puts Hel and Heaven near each other to show how close the boundaries between the two are. The “darkest evening of the year” (8) shows how deep the speaker's depression is. This depression bolsters the speaker's suicidal thoughts. These thoughts connect to the thin line between Heaven and Hel.
In the third stanza of the poem, the horse, the speaker's conscience, realizes the speaker's intention, and interrupts the the tranquil surroundings. When the horse gives it's harness bells a shake (9), it is trying to gain the speaker's attention. The speaker believes that the horse is trying to make the man realize how bad an idea suicide would be, as that would cause him to go to Hel (10). The speaker acknowledges the horses intent, and realizes the foolishness of suicide. Sensory imagery is used to show how easy suicide would be. The “easy wind and downy flake” (12) show the speaker the path to suicide is relaxing and serene. This stanza displays the slim boundary between Heaven and Hel.
The fourth stanza, the speaker decides to continue life as he remembers promises from his past. When Robert Frost uses the words “lovely, dark, and deep” (13) to describe the woods, he portrays death as a mysterious but beautiful thing. The promises that the speaker must keep are promises that he made throughout life and have not yet completed. These promises could be his promise to God to keep life holy, and, in breaking that promise, he would go to Hel. The repetition of the last two lines of the poem signify the importance of the lines. When the speaker says that he has “miles to go before I [the speaker] sleep,” (15-16) he refers to how many years he has yet to live. This final decision shows that the speaker has given up on suicide, and instead chooses to walk with God and live out his life to the end.

| Posted on 2009-10-09 | by a guest

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The poem is, simply enough, referring to nothing more than a respite....a rest from the hustle and bustle we have all faced in our daily lives no matter when we might have lived (19th, 20th, or 21st centuries).
I believe that Frost might've been very "tempted" to continue to enjoy the quiet the evening afforded....he was obviously running some errands and had "stopped" between farm houses. Realizing he had many more responsibilities (a lifetime of them, in fact), he simply pressed on and went about his duties.
It's a simple message and it implores us to stop once in a while and enjoy life and the moment. Not much more to it!!!

| Posted on 2009-09-11 | by a guest

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The lines "But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep", are the tip off the the fact that the poem about death and perserverence, if you were unsure before that. He sits by the woods, contemplating life and death, arguably suicide (or simply giving up on life), but comes to the conclusion that his life's purpose is not complete (But I have promises to keep), and so must carry on (miles to go before I sleep).

| Posted on 2009-08-27 | by a guest

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Robert Frost often wrote of brief moments in his life when nature inspired him, e.g., DUST OF SNOW. This is quite simply a poem inspired by the beauty of nature and the author's regret over having to abandon the scene because of mundane, worldly responsibilities. Let this wonderful poem stand on its own merit.

| Posted on 2009-08-05 | by a guest

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death and organized religion are the two most prominent themes in the poem. the phrase "His house is in the village though" could either be taken sarcastically, or literally, the narrator really believing that God exists only in the church (house in village), and now being confronted with God's existence in nature (i.e. questioning organized religion)and the idea that there is no heaven and hell. in which case "the darkest evening of the year" is figurative for this tough realization. It could also just be Frost's way of poking fun in the playful Frost manner at religion and the narrator might be atheistic to begin with, the darkest evening just a literal phrase, death still a profound thing. In either case the narrator must move on at the end, and can't think about things like this too long.
ps whatever frost intended isn't really important. the poem suggests meaning and should be analyzed

| Posted on 2009-06-14 | by a guest

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Frost loved the beauty of an accumulation of snow in the trees and wished to witness this and write about it as it happened. He went out on this particular occasion after reading in his local newspaper that there would be more snow the next evening because telegraphed weather communications from the west confirmed winter storms moving east to his area. (when this poem was written telephones were confined mostly to larger cities and the only "long distance" communications were the decades old telegraph lines, radio had not yet been invented) In that same newspaper he also read about the winter solstice, The point at which darkness occurs earlier in the evening and lingers later in the morning than any other day of the year. Therefore, what to others is seen as the Shortest Day of The Year was to Frost "The Darkest Evening of The Year". This choosing to write about the night instead of the day is consistant with his "Road Not Taken" philosophy he used throught his life to find something new and different in topics that seemed overdone to others because they had written from the same perspective as others before them. The reason he chose this particular location was because it was close to town(the "Village") and had more trees closer together to absorb the storm's accumulation and form a more inspiring scene. Frost had taken with him a journal to record his impressions and had stopped "without a farmhouse near" at his predetermined spot in the road "Between The Woods and Frozen Lake" because he needed his carriage to be still in order to write and because he knew the owner lived a few miles away back in town so that he wouldn"t be disturbed as he watched "The Woods Fill Up With Snow" and worked at his description of nature painting her cold and beautiful canvas before his eyes. The "Little Horse" however, began to nervously object as darkness fell and the brevity of this poem is due in part to the animal's common sense inclination and insistance upon returning before it became too dark to see the road. Short and Sweet as it is, it has become one of the most read and easily recognizable Poems of the 20th century and made an icon of it's author, Robert Frost. ---R.M. Calvert

| Posted on 2009-06-09 | by a guest

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Yesterday, I toured the Robert Frost house in Derry, NH. The manager is also a poet and historian of Mr Frost. He explained that Mr Frost was selling eggs door to door in order to buy Christmas gifts to his children and he wasn't having any success. While riding, he came across this scene and started to cry (about his lack of success and not being able to buy gifts for his children). Many years later, while writing poetry, he got up to go to bed and the poem came to him out of the blue. He sat down again and wrote the poem in one draft. It's literally about stopping by the woods.

| Posted on 2009-06-08 | by a guest

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I think this poem was written because his horse died, and his horse has been his best friend and now he has to bury it in the snow, where he once had an adventure with him once through the forest :(!

| Posted on 2009-06-08 | by a guest

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I think the fact that the poem takes place in winter refers to the narrator's age - presumably late in life. We can also assume that his if a very busy and responsible life - he has miles to go before he sleeps. The "darkest evening of the year" I believe refers to a recent death of someone dear which has caused him to take a moment from his hectic life and reflect upon his own life and his relationship with the deceased. We might also assume that he may be considering death as a welcome respite for himself, since he finds the woods, "lovely, dark and deep". But he is too responsible and has "promises to keep" which will require him to go quite some time before he can shuffle off this mortal coil. The little horse I believe is his conscience, beckoning him to, again, be responsible and continue with his life's work. It really is one of Frost's best works.

| Posted on 2009-06-06 | by a guest

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I'm a simpleton. I think he was on a trip and was taken in by the splendor of the scene, the evening, the falling snow, the countryside. I think his only reference to death is the last line. And that, because he'd realized after he'd written the line it could be interpreted as referring to death. So he wrote it again to make us ponder it more.

| Posted on 2009-06-03 | by a guest

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I think the poem deeply refers to death. If you look in the Oxford English Dictionary (The best dictionary, by far, due to its content of definitions, dates used, and whom it was used by) and read the meanings of the words "Sleep" you can find all of the obvious overtones of death. (Also, "winter" is representative of death, as is the depth of snow)
However, many people will overlook another death-themed word in this poem. It's quite subtle and very well hidden: It is the word "downy".
Frost would have read both Shakespeare and Spenser, and both of them used this word. I especially hold with the quotation from Shakespeare's Macbeth (Act 2, Scene 3, line 76): "Shake off this downy sleep, death's counterfeit," Why would Frost choose such a completely ambiguous word, unless he wanted the poem to have multiple meanings? That is something to think about.

| Posted on 2009-05-31 | by a guest

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Frost is ever conscious that life is about making choices. I think that the poem is an expression of a deep understanding of life and the pain and beauty when one makes a responsible decision particularly when is at the darkest moment of one's life. The poem is open to many interpretations but for me, it is about moving on, despite.

| Posted on 2009-05-30 | by a guest

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this poem is about the choice of life or death. The horse reminds his that there is still things he needs to accomplish. But the cold snowy winter is his last season for death.

| Posted on 2009-05-25 | by a guest

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This poem is about the struggle of avoiding sexual dessires. The horse represents a life friend, who Frost wanted to marry all his life. The lines "And miles to go before I sleep" simply means: So much work, before I can intercourse that horse. The snow refers to sperm cells "WHose woods these are I think I know" and he's basically referring to his little horse. The forest represents a beautiful lady, which Frost wanted to intercoures intead: "The woods are lovely, dark and deep" and the emphasis is on "deep".
But he always wanted that little horse to be his life-bud. That explains the lines: "But I have promises to keep". Pretty easy poem

| Posted on 2009-05-25 | by a guest

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Robert Frost did not committ suicide. he died from complications during prostate surgery

| Posted on 2009-05-15 | by a guest

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The journey is life, and he stops far from a farmhouse between the woods and a frozen lake. Which to me means he feels alone in life, he's in a desolate place which is rarely traveled. The bells of the horse, as in all poetry, I believe signify death. The speaker feels so alone he considers giving up on life, but then remembers he has unfinished business and must carry on. "Miles to go before I sleep."

| Posted on 2009-05-05 | by a guest

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this poem is about life ad the choices/paths you choose.

| Posted on 2009-05-03 | by a guest

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I think this poem is absolutly symbolic of death.
the snow represents him in the last "Season" of his life. The woods probably represent where he goes when he dies. He wants to just give up and die, but he can't die however because he still has things to do.

| Posted on 2009-04-25 | by a guest

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Can any one answer these questions about this poem?
1. Tell me at least five words which express coldness?
2. What is the main idea of the poem? Is it full of joy or pain or any other feelings involved?

| Posted on 2009-04-24 | by a guest

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I think that most of you are reading to much into this. Does EVERY poem written have to have some hidden message to it? Mine sure don't, but it would be easy to come up with one.

| Posted on 2009-04-21 | by a guest

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I think in this poem Frost is in a forest, and he is wanting to stay. But his horse keeps reminding him. That he has work, and promises to fulfill and commitments to keep to do before he rests or sleeps or dies. This is what I felt.

| Posted on 2009-04-04 | by a guest

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i think this poem is about how the writer looks at his life and sees how beautiful the snow and nature is and he wants to stay in that very moment, but he cant. he has to keep moving to keep his promises. the last lines are deciphered as that he still has a long ways to go before he dies. it coiuld be internal conflicts or external conflicts that he has to deal with but he has many things to do before he passes. the poem gives a very thoughtful mood. the writer is thinking about nature and his life while the reader is also thinking about theirs. this poem really makes you think.

| Posted on 2009-03-21 | by a guest

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I believe that this poem is not very symbolic at all. I think Mr. Frost one day went out side in the Morning after a long night and was like "Oh I feel like writing a poem about the nature and the snow. I do not think its anymore complicated than that

| Posted on 2009-03-17 | by a guest

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This poem is about death and Frost. In the lines "And miles to go before I sleep." Could be about Frost. The night before he wrote the poem he was up all night writing another. He walked out side in the early morning and wrote that this poem in a few minutes.

| Posted on 2009-03-12 | by a guest

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this poem is about a dude on his horse riding through woods that he's already been through before and he wants to stay but can't cuz he gots to keep moving to keep his promisses. The last two lines "and miles to go before i sleep" means he has many places to go before he dies so he has to keep moving.

| Posted on 2009-03-11 | by a guest

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this poem is about a dude on his horse riding through woods that he's already been through before and he wants to stay but can't cuz he gots to keep moving to keep his promisses. The last two lines "and miles to go before i sleep" means he has many places to go before he dies so he has to keep moving.

| Posted on 2009-03-11 | by a guest

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This poem can be explicated many ways. I found that the woods had to do with life and the house in the village was the heart and the stopping in the woods to watch the snow was a reflection on his or her life.

| Posted on 2009-03-06 | by a guest

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I am doing this poem for an English Assignment.
I agree with some of the people who wrote before me the poem has was too many links to death for it to be ignored, (darkness, sleep snow -> winter=season of death)

| Posted on 2009-03-06 | by a guest

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fudgecicals are awesome when you eat them while reading this poem

| Posted on 2009-03-02 | by a guest

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hi the poem stopping by the woods in snowy evening, talks about journey and appreciation of nature..the horse there is somewhat like frost guide or company,in reality to these poem suggests that we must learn to appreciate and value life before its too late the last 2 line there who is repeated before i go to sleep states death..time is precious then we must treasure it..princess claire>>>U.M

| Posted on 2009-03-01 | by a guest

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I have gathered that this poem is actually filled with much death imagery. Here me out; It is cold and dark, and many things are frozen - in suspended animation. Frost's life was filled with death; his father died at a young age, his son committed suicide, and he nearly died of pneumonia in 1906. This was a man who was accustomed to death and thus is the reason for his peaceful attitude towards it in this poem. The wind is "easy, the woods are "lovely, dark, and deep". He embraces the mystery of death. You could say that the horse represents the animal side of the narrator as he is a an animal and thus is mostly encompassed by the will to survive and is rather startled by the notion of death. It is not that hard to believe that the narrator/Frost should wish to have a peaceful end, as is the way for many older people. However, it is his promises to his family (he was a great family man), to his poetry (he was quite successful), and to be a good citizen in general. He has miles to go before he sleeps - the long metaphorical sleep of death.

| Posted on 2009-02-22 | by a guest

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i think that "he" is the character of the poem. this is a bad poem =]
its too confusing
i have to read it for american lit. and it confused me a lot.
he is confused of what he wants...to be at peace but his horse is his reminder that he has duties to fulfill. thats what i got from the poem. =[
the end
i heart kaitlin

| Posted on 2009-02-06 | by a guest

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This poem is about the poet's thoughts during time spent in the woods on a snowy evening. I'm afraid any and all analysis is futile here, as that is the only subject of the poem.
Ask any poet. Unless it's a skilled and blatant extended metaphor, symbolism is never that grossly intentional.
Try not to read too much into it.
Just enjoy it for its beauty.
That's how it was intended.

| Posted on 2009-02-06 | by a guest

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thank god this web page exists cuz i didnt get the poem right so ur COMMENTSS really helped me to focus on the topic i was really lost and im comparing this poema to "THE ROAD NOT TAKEN" and if sombady could wrte a comparision between this two poems i will be great =D this page was helpful

| Posted on 2009-02-04 | by a guest

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I have always seen this poem as a metaphor of the choices we need to make in our lives, the enticing things that pull us away from what we have determined to be important, and the reaffirming 'shake' of our concience to help us to remember our commitments, covenants, and promises we have made to ourselves, our God, and others.

| Posted on 2009-01-27 | by a guest

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There are two currents running through this poem. Yes, one is being humbled by nature for a moment as he is. And yes, the alluring calm of the woods on a snowy evening (in New England) is something wonderful, mystical, and deadly if you are caught by it. If Frost's character succumbs to the calm for too long, he and his horse will die there. He knows that. Note also that when you have a cold injury such as hypothermia, the first symptoms are confusion --almost like being intoxicated. Frost's character is playing with that very fine line of what it takes to survive on a snowy evening and the awe of witnessing something so serene and subtle and powerful and pure as snowflakes as nature. His character is obviously tempted by the latter.
Then, he shakes it all off like his horse, as if what he witnessed there can't be of any real concern at that moment. He dismisses the powerful form of nature, of something he feels there in the woods that is bigger than himself, perhaps God, in sake of a mantra "miles to go before I sleep" that he repeats like one repeats a prayer, parochially. The outcome of the poem is that he lives (or at least wants to), the other outcome of the poem is that he dismisses nature once again, shakes it off, gets on his way at the prompting of his horse, in the base unthinking spirit of saving his own skin.
As a side note, this poem also highlights a New England winter. Winters in New England are neither the coldest nor the worst, but they sweep in quickly often times before you have prepared for them. This is documented all the way back and especially beginning with the Pilgrims.

| Posted on 2009-01-22 | by a guest

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line 9 is about the horse... he is shaking the bells on his harness

| Posted on 2009-01-21 | by a guest